The Regional Development Council-Negros Island Region conferred a certificate of recognition to the City of Bayawan in Negros Oriental for being a finalist in the AIPH World Green City Awards, during the Third Quarter Full Council Meeting at SMX Convention Center in Bacolod City Sept. 16.
Bayawan was selected as a finalist in the prestigious International Association of Horticultural Producers (AIPH) World Green City Awards, an international program organized by the AIPH that celebrates cities harnessing nature-based solutions to address urban challenges and improve quality of life.
The city gained global recognition through its entry, “Fish From The Mountains: Bayawan Inland Aquaculture”, which showcases how local governments can integrate environmental stewardship, food security, and inclusive economic growth, the RDC-NIR said in a statement Sept. 17.
Bayawan transformed underutilized upland areas into productive aquaculture sites, generating livelihoods, enhancing food security, and strengthening community resilience.
Combining sustainable water management, small-scale aquaculture, ecosystem restoration, and partnerships among government, academic, and local communities, the program empowered inland farmers while promoting climate-responsive and environmentally sustainable development, the RDC said.
Meanwhile, discussed at the Full Council Meeting were development concerns, including the 2025 full-year poverty statistics, the red soft-scale insect infestation and the status of the region’s sugar industry, updates on the regional-national investment programming dialogue, and the quick monitoring system for infrastructure oversight and accountability, among others. ||
