02/08/2026
๐ก๐๐ฆ๐จ ๐๐ฎ๐๐ฎ๐ฑ ๐๐ฎ๐บ๐ฝ๐๐ ๐๐บ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ด๐ฒ๐ ๐๐ต๐ฎ๐บ๐ฝ๐ถ๐ผ๐ป ๐ถ๐ป ๐๐๐จ ๐๐ฎ๐๐ฎ๐ฑ'๐ 2026 ๐ ๐๐ป๐ถ๐ฐ๐ถ๐ฝ๐ฎ๐น ๐๐ฎ๐๐ฎ๐ฑ ๐๐๐ป๐ต๐ฎ๐ ๐๐๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฑ๐
BATAD, Iloilo | August 1, 2026 โ Northern Iloilo State University (NISU) Batad Campus proudly emerged as the Champion in the Municipal Gawad Lunhaw Awards โ School Category, an environmental recognition program of the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Batad through the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO).
The prestigious award recognizes educational institutions that have demonstrated exemplary commitment to environmental protection, sustainability, climate resilience, ecological stewardship, and the implementation of innovative environmental programs and best practices.
NISU Batad Campus extends its sincere appreciation to Hon. Mayor Elvira P. Alarcon for her unwavering support and commitment to advancing environmental protection and sustainable development initiatives in the Municipality of Batad. The University likewise expresses its gratitude to MENRO Env. Samuel Dela Vega, Jr. and the entire MENRO team for spearheading the Municipal Gawad Lunhaw Awards and for continuously promoting environmental excellence among educational institutions in the municipality.
The championship reflects the collective dedication, teamwork, and commitment of the NISU Batad Campus administration, faculty, staff, students, and stakeholders who worked tirelessly in preparing for the assessment and onsite validation. Through strong collaboration, the campus successfully demonstrated excellence in environmental governance, greening and campus ecosystem management, solid waste management, climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction, and comprehensive documentation. These assessment areas served as the foundation of the Municipal Gawad Lunhaw Awards.
Preparation for the competition was initiated under the leadership of Dr. Vemnrose A. Clariza-Samuel, former Campus Administrator and Overall Chair of the Gawad Lunhaw Award Committee, together with Dr. Hene L. Hapinat, Pollution Control Officer and Co-Chair, through the organization of a dedicated Technical Working Group that ensured full compliance with all assessment requirements and documentary evidence.
The University likewise expresses its profound appreciation to Dr. Jomartin C. Limson, the new Campus Administrator, for his unwavering support, encouragement, and leadership during the culmination of the competition, which further inspired the campus community in achieving this prestigious recognition.
This remarkable achievement reflects not only the dedication of NISU Batad Campus but also the University's enduring commitment to environmental conservation and sustainable developmentโone of its fundamental mandates. The University's environmental advocacy was significantly strengthened during the administration of former University President Dr. Bobby D. Gerardo, who championed sustainability initiatives across the NISU System. Today, this commitment continues under the dynamic leadership of University President Dr. Raffy B. Chavez, who remains steadfast in advancing environmental stewardship, climate resilience, and sustainable development as integral components of the University's instruction, research, extension, and community engagement.
As NISU Batad Campus celebrates this milestone, the University also recognizes the invaluable contributions of every member of the Gawad Lunhaw Technical Working Group, faculty, staff, students, alumni, partner agencies, and the Local Government Unit of Batad whose dedication and collective efforts made this achievement possible.
With this victory, NISU Batad Campus reaffirms its commitment to building a greener, cleaner, and more sustainable future, serving as a model of environmental excellence and responsible stewardship for the Municipality of Batad and the entire Northern Iloilo State University System.
by:
Hencelle Joy B. Hapinat, ORDS Staff