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The VEST Seal of Green Excellence Awards 2015 are bestowed to companies that have demonstrated their commitment to the environment and delivered significant environmental progress for their business.

This award recognizes the companies that have had great impacts to the community and to larger, multisectoral organizations—raising awareness on green issues, enhancing business competitiveness, and delivering tangible operational and environmental improvements.

The judges, who are experts on environment-related fields, will be looking for evidence of innovative promotion of sustainability strategies, best practices, and effective execution of green projects.

IMPORTANT FACTORS
• What green projects has your company undertaken in the past few years?
• What evidence do you have of the success of these projects?
• How has your team helped bolster overall commercial competitiveness with these projects?
• How has your company promoted green programs and initiatives across your organization and the community?
• What strategies have you deployed that other businesses could learn from?

MECHANICS
1. Companies must submit online the duly filled-out application form and self-assessment report on or before May 15, 2015 through This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
2. Companies must pay the application fee of Php1,000.00 at Xavier Science Foundation (Manresa Farm Complex, Fr William Masterson SJ Avenue, Cagayan de Oro City) or deposit the amount to their BPI Account: 2043-4099-67. The payment will go directly to VEST Fund for Mt Kalatungan.
3. Companies should engage in the VEST Project activities.
4. Validation and site visits will be conducted.
5. For inquiries, you may visit the VEST Office at Room 104, Science Center, Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan, Corrales Avenue, Cagayan de Oro City.

CRITERIA FOR JUDGING
30% - A clear strategy and well-defined, measurable objectives for environmental benefit (following ecological services availed in the Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) project: adequate water supply and flood control)

30% - Sustainability of the project/s (Integration of the project/s to the company policies, standards and procedures)

30% - Replicability of the green project/s in other companies and industries

10% - Effective implementation of the green projects/s

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VEST is a social marketing arm of the Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) project of XU through the McKeough Marine Center (MMC), Research and Social Outreach (RSO) and Xavier Science Foundation (XSF) as the fund manager.

In Northern Mindanao, the project has been piloted within the ancestral domain of the MILALITTRA, one of the 12 lumad communities in the protected area of Talakag, Bukidnon where Mt Kalatungan stands. The 5-year community development master plan of MILALITTRA aims to reforest 832 hectares, while 816 hectares will be allotted for agroforestry.

Part of this green endeavor is to mainstream the principles of VEST through a slew of activities to encourage Kagay-anons to participate in the fund drive to rehabilitate Mt Kalatungan and reward the efforts of the indigenous people community as the forest managers.

For more information, email us via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and/or send a message to the Valuing Ecosystem Services Together - VEST Facebook page.