13 May 2004 – A development project implemented in Cagayan de Oro city was recently given an award for its local achievements.

 The initiative A Global Network – Local Action 2004 was launched in 2002 with the objective of promoting development projects in various fields co-sponsored by the government, municipalities and NGOs.
 
The project in Cagayan de Oro entitled Geographic Information Systems was a joint cooperation involving three cities, namely the city of Schelklingen in Germany, the City of Dinant in Belgium, and Cagayan de Oro.
 
The Geographic Information Systems is the process of segregating biodegradable waste, and the compost resulting from waste segregation is used as fertilizers in small farms. This system was developed by the Albert-Ludwigs University in Freiburg and the Xavier University, College of Agriculture, in Cagayan de Oro.

The project, which has been concluded after two years of development assistance, won an award because of the advantages that it has given to the small farmers, the jobs created for garbage collectors, the self-sustainability from the products of the small farms, and its environmental friendly aspect.
 
Of the 171 projects that vied for the award, six won: the projects in the Philippines, Rwanda, Mali, Peru, the migrants in Berlin and a special prize for Brazil.

The awarding ceremony was held in Germany, and was hosted by InWent Capacity Building International Germany and the German Foundation for International Development (DSE), in cooperation with the State representation of Bremen in Berlin, the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development and Venro - Association of Development Policy of German NGO’s. Philippine Ambassador to Germany, Minerva Jean A. Falcon attended the awarding ceremony on behalf of the Philippines. - END