As the 2017 Search for Cleanest and Greenest LGU came to a close last June 20 and with the team of evaluators finishing the consolidation of final results last June 23, 2 municipalities, Polomolok in the first district and Surallah in the second district, emerged as the strong contenders to get this year’s most coveted crown.
But the team of evaluators composed of representatives from the Provincial Environment Management Office, Provincial Planning and Development Office, Provincial Information Division, Arts, Culture, Tourism and Museum Promotions Unit, Integrated Provincial Health Office, South Cotabato Foundation Inc. and Dole Phils. disclosed that the winners will be known only on July 13 during the opening program of the 2017 T’nlak Festival, the date set for the announcement of winners.
Earlier, the Department of Interior and Local Government Provincial Office which is the contest secretariat released the initial results of the evaluation showing Surallah leading followed by last year’s first place winner Polomolok in second place; Tupi and Tampakan in tight third and fourth places, respectively, while Sto. Nino mowed up to fifth place and T’boli got the sixth place. They were followed by Lake Sebu, Norala, Koronadal City, Banga, Tantangan, ranked from seventh to eleventh place in that order.
But just like the previous years, the order of the list of winners might change as the initial evaluation is composed only of 40 percentage points while the final evaluation on the other hand, has 60 percentage points.
Up for grabs for this year’s contest are the big cash incentives in which the .first place winner will receive P800,000.00, second place P500,000.00, third place P300,000.00, fourth place P10,000.00, fifth place P100.000.00 and sixth place P80,000.00.A consolation prize of P40,000.00 will also be given each to non-winning LGUs.
Likewise, Special Prizes will also be awarded to deserving LGUs which are adjudged Best Public Market (P30,000.00), Best Plaza & Park (P30,000.00), Best Central Material Recovery Facility (P30,000.00), Best Barangay – 1ST(P30,000.00), 2ND (P20,000,00), 3RD (P10,000.00), Best Roadside Beautification (P30,000), Best Nursery (P30,000), Best Community Garden (P30,000.00), Best Backyard Garden (P10,000.00), Best Public Toilet (P10,000.00).
A new set of criteria and mechanics were also introduced this year which are the following: Clean and Green Governance (30%), Support Facilities and Establishments (15%), City/Municipal Hall/Slaughterhouse/Health Center 15%), Barangay (20%), Public Market (10%), Plaza and Parks (5%), Roadside Beautification (10%), Public Terminal (5%),10-yr SWM Plan Implementation (10%), Comprehensive 10-yr Clean and Green Program Implementation (10%), for a total of 100%.