Davao City 1st district Rep. Paolo Duterte (Facebook)

Davao City 1st district Rep. Paolo Duterte's advocacy for sustainable development hasn't gone unnoticed and unappreciated. 

The current 19th Congress has practically become the vehicle for the Mindanaoan's sustainable development proposals, and it has earned him the title of Honorary Congressman of the Year (green category) during the Nation Builders and Mosliv Awards. 

Organized by the Sustainable Standards Inc. (SSI), the awards celebrate and honor the changemakers and leaders in sustainability across the Philippines. 

Duterte thanked the award-giving body for conferring him this honor, as he pledged to continue pursuing his goal of achieving a sustainable future for the country both through legislation and his ongoing green initiatives in Davao City.  

“Our commitment to sustainable development does not end with filing bills in Congress, but continues by implementing actionable programs that will help end poverty, spur economic growth and make our people resilient to the devastating effects of climate change  at the local government level,” said the second-termer. 

Duterte was recognized by SSI particularly for his “excellent and successful legislation” that contribute to the organization’s primary objective of achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) toward a global climate-neutral society by 2050.  

Bills filed by Duterte in the 19th Congress that seek to attain these goals are, among others,  House Bill (HB)No.500, which aim to institutionalize the community-driven development approach for inclusive growth; HB No507, which aims to regulate the production, sale, use and disposal of single-use plastic products; HB No.1757, which seeks to provide the sustainable management of heritage trees; HB No.8162, which aims to institute a national land use policy; HB No.8586, which aims to set in place stronger measures for the conservation and protection of wildlife resources and their habitats; and HB No.9327, which seeks to enhance the resiliency of farmers to adverse climate events by institutionalizing the use of crop climate calendars.  

Among his sustainability development proposals that have been signed into law are HB No.1171, which promotes inclusive and sustainable growth through the One Town, One Product Program (Republic Act No.11960); and HB No.6336, which freed agrarian reform beneficiaries from financial burden by condoning their unpaid financial obligations (RA No. 11953).  

Duterte, a former deputy speaker, also continues to implement programs and projects in Davao City that, among others, provide assistance to displaced workers, senior citizens and other vulnerable individuals; improve the  access of Dabawenyos  to education and healthcare; deliver clean water and sanitation to underserved communities; and reduce inequality.