Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin ‘Benhur’ Abalos, Jr. joins President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in recognizing the ten local government unit (LGU) awardees of the 2022 Galing Pook Awards for being models of good governance and innovation.
“I am deeply encouraged by the effective leadership we now see shining brightly amongst our LGUs. I congratulate the awardees for you have formulated and implemented programs that provided innovative solutions to the common problems of our society,” Marcos said during the 2022 Galing Pook Awards ceremony held in the Malacañan Palace.
Abalos likewise extended his appreciation to the winners underscoring that innovation among the LGUs must continue for improved public service. He said that the said Galing Pook Awards recipients will not only usher in better practices but will create a ripple effect of inspiration among other LGUs.
“I congratulate the 10 LGU winners of the 2022 Galing Pook Awards. You have taken the call to scale up your best practices and broaden your capabilities to serve your constituents in the thick of the COVID-19 pandemic,” he said.
Abalos said that the 10 best programs by the LGU winners are Libertad Fish Forever Savings Club of Libertad, Antique; Advancing and Sustaining Good Governance and Community Actions towards Resiliency and Empowerment of Basilan; ‘“I-BIKE” A Program Promoting the Development of the Iloilo City Bike Culture’ of Iloilo City; Yaru: A Whole-of-Community Approach Towards Disaster Management from Itbayat, Batanes; Bataan Public-Private Partnership Programs of Bataan; From Black to Green: Fishponds, Eco-Tourism and Full Employment of Barangay Cayabu, Tanay, Rizal; ‘The Green Wall of Alcala’ of Alcala, Cagayan; Trekking to Unlock Community Ailments and Difficulties (TUCAD) of Goa, Camarines Sur; Balik-Biñan Project: Tourism Development through Heritage Conservation of Biñan, Laguna; and, Basta Piddigueño, AgriHenyo: Consolidated Farm Production System of Piddig, Ilocos Norte.
“Ito [2022 Galing Pook Awards] ay isang malaking tagumpay at pagkilala sa inyong kahusayan sa paglilingkod-bayan. Nawa po’y patuloy ninyong mas pagbutihin ang pagsisilbi sa mga mamamayan at lutasin ang mga problemang kinakaharap ng inyong mga pamayanan,” he added.
Abalos, serving as chairperson of the Board of Judges, said that the 10 LGU winners truly exemplified this year’s theme, ‘Padayon para sa Ligtas, Matalino at Matatag na Pamayanan’ as they went through a rigorous multi-level screening process. Out of 196 LGUs that submitted their applications this year, 10 programs emerged victoriously.
He also thanked Galing Pook Foundation Chairperson Mel Senen Sarmiento, a former DILG Secretary, and the rest of the executives and officials of the foundation for being the government’s partner in promoting excellence in local governance through the awards program. “Maraming salamat po sa Galing Pook Foundation sa pagpapatuloy nitong napakagandang programa para kilalanin ang kahusayan ng LGUs,” Abalos said.
Meanwhile, the DILG Chief likewise echoed the President’s statement that the government will continue to support LGUs in their pursuit to serve their constituents with excellence. “Be assured that this Administration will support our LGUs, as your role in the government is significant to our nation-building initiatives,” Marcos said.
Taking the Galing Pook challenge
Abalos said it takes a special group of LGUs to be included in the Galing Pook list of winners but “it’s always the most impactful programs that always make the cut.”
“In recognizing top-performing programs of LGUs, it is always the impact that weighs more, kung paano ito nakatutulong sa mga mamamayan. Responsiveness of LGU programs that translate to improved and better services will be key if LGUs want to win the Galing Pook award,” Abalos said.
“Beyond the awards, pinakamahalaga pa rin na itong mga programang ito ay nakatutulong sa ating mga kababayan,” he added.
He said that the Galing Pook Awards is open to all LGUs for their programs that respond to issues affecting their constituents, such as in health, education, food security, nutrition, environment, agriculture, social welfare, and resiliency, among others.
To be eligible for the awards, he added that the LGU program must have involved or engaged processes within an LGU even if the program might have been initiated by a non-governmental organization (NGO), civil society organization (CSO) and/or an LGU; must have been in operation for at least one year before deadline of submission; and, must have verifiable and significant results.
LGUs will be assessed based on the following criteria: positive results and impact (25%); promotion of people’s participation and empowerment (25%); innovation and adaptation (20%); resilience (10%); sustainability (10%); and, efficiency of program service delivery and transferability (10%).
The Galing Pook Awards is co-presented by the Galing Pook Foundation with SM Prime Holdings, Inc. and the DILG-Local Government Academy. The awards program was launched on October 21, 1993, serving as a pioneering program in recognizing innovative practices by the LGUs, which other LGUs can replicate in their respective localities.
Original Article at: https://dilg.gov.ph/news/PBBM-Abalos-commend-10-LGU-Galing-Pook-Award-winners/NC-2022-1193