• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Hinoba-an District Hospital and several provincial government offices in Negros Occidental emerged as top performers in the 2026 Local Search for the Best Offices, Hospitals, and Kapitolyo Solid Waste Management Educators (KaSE), recognizing their efforts to promote proper waste management and environmental responsibility.
The Provincial Environment Management Office (PEMO) announced the winners of the annual search, now on its fifth year, during a ceremony held Nov. 4 at the Hospital Operations Services Conference Room of the Provincial Capitol Building.
The competition evaluates provincial government offices and hospitals based on their compliance with Republic Act 9003, or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000, and their implementation of effective solid waste management (SWM) practices.
In the hospital category, Hinoba-an District Hospital took the championship, followed by Lorenzo D. Zayco District Hospital of Kabankalan City as first runner-up and Ignacio L. Arroyo Sr. Memorial District Hospital of Isabela as second runner-up.
For the small office category, the Provincial Information Office (PIO) emerged as champion, followed by the Information and Communications Technology Department (ICTD) and the Provincial Health Office-Hospital Operations Section (PHO-HOS) as first and second runners-up, respectively.
In the big office category, the Provincial General Services Office (GSO) secured the championship, followed by Mambukal Resort and Wildlife Sanctuary and the Provincial Treasurer’s Office (PTO) as first and second runners-up, respectively.
Individual employees who actively promoted SWM were also recognized under the KaSE awards.
In the hospital category, Eduardo Yusay Jr. of Hinoba-an District Hospital was named champion, followed by Cris Anthony Badajos of Lorenzo D. Zayco District Hospital, and Rex Gatilogo Jr. of Valladolid District Hospital.
Christinebelle Grace Marfil of ICTD topped the small office category, with Christine Mae Dinglasan of PIO and Helen Aquino of PHO-HOS placing second and third, respectively.
For the big office category, Remy Grace Manalo of GSO won the championship, followed by Mark de la Cruz of Mambukal Resort and Wildlife Sanctuary and Gina Rose Ferrer of the PTO.
PEMO head Julie Ann Bedrio encouraged the participating offices, hospitals, and individual awardees to sustain their initiatives and continuously strengthen their solid waste management practices.
The awarding ceremony for the winners is scheduled on Dec. 1. | GPB
