"CSC DANGAL NG BAYAN AWARD '94"

HON. SYD VASQUEZ- " Mr. Environment" at his assigned room at Manila Hotel preparing to receive his Prestigous Presidential Award ( CSC Dangal Ng Bayan Award) Sept. 1994 at Malacanang Heroes Hall, Malacanang Palace, Manila



Group picture after the Awarding Ceremony together with Sec. Flavier at Malacanang Heroes Hall earning him a monicker "Mr. Environment" because of his relentless campaign in Saving the last Frontier Environment in the Cordilleras particularly in Abra.



CSC DANGAL NG BAYAN AWARDEE '94 CERTIFICATE of HON. SYD VASQUEZ

He was a recipient of a prestigious Presidential Award (CSC Dangal Ng Bayan Award) in appropriate ceremonies at Malacanang Heroes Hall, Malacanang Palace, Manila when he was newly elected Member of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of the Province of Abra way back September 1994 because of my relentless campaign in saving the last frontier of our environment in the Cordilleras particularly Abra Province. Thus earning him a Monicker “MR. ENVIRONMENT”. For the benefit of the younger generation the following are among his major accomplishments:

LEGISLATIVE ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

1. Sponsored a Provincial Ordinance on the transport of unprocessed bamboo poles outside the Province of Abra as a support to the growing Self Income Generating Projects on Bamboocraft Industry thus making Abra known as the Bamboo Capital of the Philippines.

2. Sponsored a Provincial Ordinance on applicants of marriage license to first secure certification from their Barangay Captain before they are issued a Marriage License that they have planted at least 8 fruit bearing trees. Mango trees was highly recommended since there is a ready market for said fruits. At least when their children starts schooling said fruits will help them economically.

3. Sponsored a Provincial Ordinance on Sand and Gravel Extraction Fees in corformity with the Local Government Code, thus giving modest share of the income to the host Barangay, Municipality as well as the Province. The DENR identifies from time to time allowable areas for extraction so as not to create soil erosion along river banks along Abra River.

4. Sponsored a Provincial Resolution requesting then Cong. Zapata of the Lone Congressional District of Abra to allocate funds for the much needed financial support to the people of Dulao, Malibcong, Abra in its MULTI-PURPOSE MICRO HYDRO PROJECT initiated by the Diocese of Bangued lead by Bishop Artemio Rillera and supervise by Bro. Aloi. Thus technical as well as additional financial support was also solicited from PCIERD-DOST, PSTO- Abra (DOST) and likewise the Regional Office of DOST. Thus identifying Abra as the Micro Hydro Capital of the Philippines.

5. Sponsored a Provincial Resolution addressed to His Excellency President Fidel V. Ramos being one of the 20 Poorest Provinces in the Country to have a modest share of the Poverty Alleviation Program under the Presidential Social Fund. A Provincial Worshop was conducted by Malacanang of which the undersigned was made as the Point Man for said workshop which was immediately conducted by USEC Macaranas. It was in this workshop when he was adviced by Malacanang to announced that a CABINET CLUSTER MEETING shall be held in Abra led by Pres. Fidel V. Ramos together with other Cabinet Secretaries most especially Sec. Victor O. Ramos of the DENR who is at the same time the CORD SECRETARY – CAR. He took advantage of this occasion to officially launch the “GREEN ARMY” which help him in the proper implementation of Forestry Laws. And during said Cabinet Cluster Meeting of the President a 40M Check was turned over to the Province of Abra.

6. Sponsored a Provincial Ordinance in singing “ MASDAN MO ANG KAPALIGIRAN” By Asin every Monday and Friday just after the Flag Ceremony in every schools in Abra whether Public or Private. A corresponding Administrative Order was issued by DECS Supervisor DRA. PETRA BRINGAS therefore it was institutionalize in the Education System in Abra Province , thus creating Environmental Awareness among the youth.

7. Sponsored a Provincial Resolution in support to Abra River Irrigators Association (ARIA) requesting MISEREOUR of Germany for funding support in the major repairs of damaged irrigation canals along Pagpagatpat, Tayum, Abra. Funding was released by Misereour of Germany thus saving the irrigation in Bangued.

8. Sponsored a Provincial Resolution addressed to the President of the University of Northern Philippines (UNP) Vigan, Ilocos Sur (DRA. DOROTEA C. FILART) requesting an Extension of Marteral Classes during Saturdays and Sundays at ASIST Campus, Bangued, Abra. Since Dra. Doroteo C. Filart is the auntie of his wife said request was immediately APPROVED and funds were allocated for the Salaries and Per Diems of Professors who conducted extension masteral classes at ASIST Campus, Bangued, Abra. A corresponding Provincial Ordinance was also Sponsored by me addressed to Cong. Zapata to build a Building for UNP Classes at ASIST Campus. A building was erected by Cong. Zapata therefore more Government as well as Non Government employees benefited out of the UNO Masteral Extension Classes and plenty have finished their Masterals which have also helped a lot in their Job Promotions; and many more.



MAN OF ACTION:

a) Personally lead Environment Monitoring along the Cordillera Ranges/Mountains together with the “Green Army” thus resulting to confiscation of illegally cut timbers and also apprehending the culprits to our environment. This included government vehicles of the Province of Abra.

b) Personally manned CHOKE POINTS at Tangadan PNP-DENR Checkpoints again resulting to confiscation of vehicles and illegally cut timbers likewise Cases were filed in Court for said violators of environment.

c) Personally conducted the Annual ECO WALK and Tree Planting at Tangadan, San Quintin, Abra of which it is also an Environment Project Site of Bukas Foundation and supported by World Vision Philippines . Therefore said Tree Planting activities was well supported and nurtured by member families of Bukas Foundation which was also initiated by the undersigned.

d) Personally Sponsored and Host to a regular RADIO PROGRAM – “Timek ti Aglawlaw” over DZPA hence personally spending for said time slot. Various Environmental Contest was conducted over the Radio and corresponding prizes were raised for the winners. Thus Environmental Awareness was further enhanced not only among Abrenians but also adjacent Provinces since the radio signal can reach as far as Pangasinan, La Union, Ilocos Sur, Ilocos Norte, paert of Benguet, Kalinga, Apayao and Cagayan.

e) Annually conduct dispersal of “GIFT Strain Tilapia Fingerlings” among fisher-folks along Abra River and its tributaries thus helping solve the rising cost of fish in the market. As a result Tilapia became more cheaper than Galunggong.

f) Established a display center at Makati for all Abra Handicrafts which resulted to sustainable Job Orders to participating Abrenian Handicraft weavers. Thus helping much our National Government for its much needed Dollar Reserve during those times when we had our dollar problems to pay for our Gasoline imports.

g) Established a Pilot Project of an Environment Friendly “MULTI CROP SOLAR DRYER (Flue Curing Barn) which utilizes 75% SOLAR ENERGY thus saving much firewood used in the Flue Curing of Virginia Leaf Tobaccos. Said Multi Crop Solar Dryer was also used to dry Mushrooms, Tomatoes, Saluyot Leaves after Tobacco Seasons.
h) Personally Monitored GASOLINE STATIONS especially during Roll Back of Petroleum prices being a Deputized by ERB. Annual check up/calibration of weighing scales used by Trading Centers of Tobaccos as well as Mango Trading Centers in order to protect Abrenain Farmers. This was made in cooperation with DOST and the Municipal Treasurer of Bangued.

i) Established Abra Center for Ecological Farming (ACEP) at ASIST, Lagangilang, Abra in cooperation of PSTO-DOST, Abra thus propagation of Trichoderma as Compost Fongus Activator in order to hasten decomposition process of Bio Degradable Waste which was mixed with Burned Rice Hulls in order to propagate Organic Fertilizers for dispersal to interested Abrenian Farmers. Thus creating awareness that Organic Fertilizers not only is good for our Environment but give our Farmers more income.

j) Solicited Medicines from the DOH, Senators and cooperative Pharmaceutical Companies for distribution to indigent Abrenians who have prescriptions coming from Doctors at the Abra Provincial Hospital.

g) Established RESCUE 168 in cooperation with DIGITEL Telecommunication. Anybody can phone in any Emergency Assistance. Thus resulting to the saving of a victim of kidnapping of a son of a well to do Chinese Family in Bangued with the cooperation of REACT-NOAH GROUP in Narvacan, Ilocos Sur since the undersigned is also the Group Chief- REACT-Tunnel Group of Abra.

h) Sponsored 25 deserving Abra College Students under the Step Ladder Medical Curriculum thus resulting to one Graduate under Doctor of Medicine and several Board Passers of Nursing and Midwifery. They have served the various Government Hospitals in Abra prior to seeking employment outside Abra and abroad; and many more.


N.B.

TO MY BROS. and SISTERS EPSILONIANS I would be so glad if you shall remember me as “MR. ENVIRONMENT”leaving a legacy for you to follow my footsteps SINCERELY without mental reservation or whatsoever.

MABUHAY ANG GAMMA EPSILON INTERNATIONAL!

ISIDRO “SYD” VASQUEZ


“MagAAKAPan tayong lahat tungo sa pangangalaga at pagparami ng ating puno upang matiwasay ang ating kalikasan.”

Former Member- Sangguniang Panlalawigan- Abra

“MR. ENVIRONMENT”

Founder – GAMMA EPSILON INTERNATIONAL


click to play these song (understand the lyrics while listening to these music)=======>>>MASDAN MO ANG KAPALIGIRAN