EDGE Davao columnist and reporter was among the top winners in the 2016 Binhi Awards sponsored by the Philippine Agricultural Journalists, Inc. (PAJ) and San Miguel Corporation (SMC).
Henrylito D. Tacio got two trophies out of the 15 categories handed by PAJ which existed for 41 years now. He was named Agricultural Journalist of the Year (Third Prize) and Environmental Journalist of the Year (Third Prize).
Tacio was cited for all the features and write-ups he has written for EDGE Davao last year.
In last year’s awarding ceremony, his article on the sad status of the country’s soil erosion was named Environment Story of the Year.
He also received previously two Binhi Awards as Countryside Agricultural Journalist and Provincial Agricultural-Environmental Journalist in the 1980s.
In this year’s Binhi Awards, the “Uhay” publication of the regional office of the Department of Agriculture was named Agricultural Newsletter, a repeat of the same honor which it received in 2003.
Noel Provido, who headed the communication of the regional DA, was also given an award for his climate change story, making him the first recipient as the category was introduced for the first time in the contest.
Ruben Gonzaga, who hosted the “Agri Tayo Dito” for ABS-CBN, received the trophy for Agri Regional Television Program. The Davao-based agricultural program was also honored the same distinction in last year’s awarding ceremony.
The board of judges of the 2016 Binhi Awards was headed by Dr. William Dar, a Filipino scientist who transformed the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) from a struggling institute to one of the top performing centers of the Consultative Group on International Research (CGIAR).
The members include Mary Jane Oconer-Llanes, of the Corporate Affairs Office of the San Miguel Corporation; Professor Alfredo G. Gabot, one of the editors of the “Manila Bulletin” for 25 years until his retirement; Temina Lalani-Shariff, head of communication of the International Rice Research Institute; and Angelo B. Palmones, a multi-awarded journalist who hails from Kidapawan, North Cotabato.
Invited as guest speaker during the awarding was Senator Cynthia A. Villar.
“The Philippines is an agricultural country, with two-thirds of its population involved directly and indirectly in agriculture,” she said in her speech. “As such, we cannot overemphasize the important contribution of the sector in national growth and development.”
Although President Rodrigo R. Duterte was not able to attend the ceremony – as he was still in Thailand – he provided the attendees a thought-provoking statement.
“Let us strive to cultivate our respective sectors so that we may all advance towards real progress and lasting change,” Duterte said. “It is only through our excellence, commitment and solidarity that we can transform the Philippines into a truly progressive nation.”
To the winners of the 2016 Binhi Awards, Duterte said: “I congratulate all the awardees for your accomplishments and for staying true to the ideals of responsible agricultural journalism. May you continue to inspire your peers in the media to herald the achievements of farmers who contribute to our economic growth and food security.”
