Ramos bans wooden trophies

Ramos bans wooden trophies

MANILA (AFP): Philippines President Fidel Ramos has banned government entities from handing out wooden trophies as awards in an effort to save trees, a Manila newspaper reported yesterday.

Ramos admonished the Environment Department for using a Philippine hardwood in its three-foot-tall (one-meter) trophies for recent presidential mineral industry environmental awards, the Philippine Inquirer said.

"A long time ago, I said we would not use wood anymore as trophies or even plaques because these are not environment- friendly," the daily quoted the president as saying.