INQUIRER.net wins award for best online commentary on environment

INQUIRER.net’s NewsLab lead Matikas Santos (left) and senior digital producer Sara Pacia. Photo from the Foundation for the Philippine Environment

An INQUIRER.net article on disaster risk reduction won best online commentary in this year’s Sarihay Media Awards, which showcases the country’s best reportage on environmental issues.

“Zero: Saving lives,” an article written by senior digital producer Sara Pacia and NewsLab lead Matikas Santos, bested other online features on the environment and climate change.

“Zero” was published online and in print in November last year, in anticipation of INQUIRER.net’s coverage of the historic climate change negotiations in Paris.

It looked into efforts of communities in Albay, which is known for its “zero casualty” goal, to become resilient to climate change and prepared for any natural disaster.

The Foundation for the Philippine Environment (FPE), which organized the Sarihay Media Awards, said the winners were selected by a technical review committee, which looked into the entries’ relevance to sustainable development and their overall reach and impact.

“Our story explored how effective the zero casualty program and climate change adaptation practices of Albay province were throughout all the years and all the typhoons that have devastated the Philippines,” Pacia said, reading their acceptance speech during the awarding ceremony last August 26.

“By going there and writing about the people on the ground, we wanted to communicate to others the lessons learned that, if others around the country will apply, can hopefully save even more lives as we face a future dictated by the threat of climate change,” she said.

Pacia was part of the INQUIRER.net team that won a reporting fellowship to cover the 21st Conference of Parties in Paris last year, which resulted in an agreement that seeks to limit global temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels and help countries adapt to the adverse effects of climate change.

Pacia and Santos’ visit to Albay was part of the reporting grant funded by the Media 21 Asia project of the French government.

The team, through multimedia reporter Marc Cayabyab and Chief of Reporters Kristine Sabillo also looked at the disaster- and climate change-related efforts in Davao Oriental. INQUIRER.net Editor in Chief John Nery joined Pacia and Sabillo in Paris to cover the negotiations.

Their reports can be read at https://www.inquirer.net/climatechange. KS/JE

Winners of the 2nd Sarihay Media Awards. Photo from the Foundation for Philippine Environment.

Below is the complete list of winners of the 2nd Sarihay Media Awards:

PRINT

1. Best News Story (National) – Ugly scars left behind by miners overshadow development by Jonathan Mayuga,  Business Mirror
2. Best News Story (Regional) – Pamana’s tragic end by Jesse Pizarro Boga,  Mindanao Times
3. Best Investigative Report – An Alarming Paradox by Marie Antonette Pamaran, Hinge Inquirer Publications
4. Best Feature Story – Saving Danjugan Island by Jonathan Mayuga, Business Mirror
5. Best Commentary / Editorial Article – What mining destroys by Rita Linda Jimeno, The Standard
6. Best Editorial Cartoon – Need for a new dump site by Josua S. Cabrera, Sun.Star Cebu

PHOTOJOURNALISM

1. Best Photo Essay – Home sweet home by Alex Badayos, Sun.Star Cebu

TELEVISION

1. Best TV News Report (National) – Mangrove forest in garbage dumps by Hon Sophia Balod, GMA News Channel
2. Best TV Documentary – Kaya ng Basura by KAYA, TV5
3. Best TV Magazine Program – Pamana by Matanglawin, ABS-CBN

RADIO

1. Best Radio Commentary – National Greening Program & the magic of Mycorrhizae, Dr. Custer C. Deocaris, Eagle Broadcasting Station-Radyo Agila

ONLINE

1. Best Online Commentary – Zero: Saving lives by Sara Pacia & Matikas Santos, Inquirer.net
2. Best Online Video Documentary – Para-enforcer by Johndel Semilla & Alvin Veri, Manila Bulletin