THE United States government was recently recognized for its efforts in promoting biodiversity at the culminating ceremony of Mission: PHL, the BusinessMirror Envoys&Expats Awards.
Patrick Wesner, deputy mission director of the United States Agency for International Development (Usaid), received the Embassy Award for Biodiversity from Director Crisanta Marlene P. Rodriguez of the Biodiversity Management Bureau, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
In his remarks, Wesner said: “On behalf of the US Embassy and the USAID, I humbly accept this Biodiversity Award which reflects our strong partnership with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources or DENR. Our work with DENR has spanned decades and demonstrated that responsibly managing precious natural resources and mitigating its threats are vital to inclusive and resilient economic growth.”
Wesner added: “To our partners at DENR, to the private sector, civil society, and other stakeholders, it’s truly been a great time working with all of you. To the BusinessMirror team, thank you for generating public appreciation for those who work with the Philippine government at improving the lives of the Filipino people. The US government remains a steadfast friend, partner, and ally of the Philippine government and the Filipino people as you pursue your goal of a warm, prosperous, nation. Maraming salamat po. Thank you very much.”
The Mission: PHL is the first and only recognition awards for the country’s development partners, and for its first edition gave out category awards in eight sectors with the help of technical working groups marshaled by government agencies at the forefront of vetting official development assistance. The overall awards went to: the Development Agency Partner, the Embassy of the Year and the Project of the Year.
Watch for the next round of Mission: PHL, the BusinessMirror Envoys&Expats Awards in 2021.
Read updates on Mission: PHL in the BusinessMirror’s Envoys&Expats Section.
Image credits: Roy Domingo