PBBM cites 2023 Galing Pook Award winners
WINNERS of the coveted 2023 Galing Pook Award got the recognition from no less than President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for their efforts in promoting innovation and exemplifying leadership for better public service delivery.
President Marcos who was represented by Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos, said that these awardees deserve praises for their excellent programs to improve the lives of their constituents.
“Your dedication and innovative spirit are a testament to the resilience and determination of the Filipino people,” Abalos quoted the country’s Chief Executive during the awarding ceremonies in Pasay City Thursday.
The President also thanked the Galing Pook Foundation for empowering LGUs and CSOs to develop programs and social innovations for improved public service delivery.
For his part, Abalos who himself was a recipient of multiple Galing Pook awards during his term as mayor of Mandaluyong City, described the winners as epitome of excellence as he urged them to collaborate with the DIGL and Galing Pook Foundation in helping other LGUs emulate their transformative projects in their respective communities.
“This October marks the anniversary of the Local Government Code of the Philippines. It speaks of autonomy, it speaks of devolution. And these winners, who exhibited beautiful projects, these are the epitome of true devolution, excellence, innovation, and resourcefulness,” Abalos said.
The DILG chief also said that it is not about winning but also sharing these beautiful practices to other localities in the country.
Winners are: Del Carmen, Surigao del Norte: Seal of Health Governance Davao Oriental Province: Happy Home General Santos City: Shari’a Atas Bitiara Makati City: Virtual Queuing Management System for Health Centers Iloilo Province: Mobilizing Communities through People-Centered Zero Open Defecation Movement Towards Sustainable Sanitation Pasig City.
Others are Prehospital Care and Emergency Medical Services Medical Control Program Bayawan City, Negros Oriental: Fish From The Mountains: Bayawan Inland Aquaculture Bataan Province: 1Bataan Seal of Healthy Barangay Barangay Taloot, Argao, Cebu: Barangay Taloot Community-Based Integrated Approach Quezon City: iRISE UP (Intelligent, Resilient, and Integrated Systems for the Urban Population).
Meanwhile, the 2023 Galing Pook Citizenship Awards winners were the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation, Inc.; Lamac Multi-Purpose Cooperative; Negrense Volunteers for Change (NVC) Foundation; Health Futures Foundation, Inc.; and Espoir School of Life. They received a trophy designed and carved by renowned Filipino visual artist Toym Imao.
The Galing Pook Awards winners were chosen from 166 applications from different local governments in the country. The applicants were trimmed down to 17 finalists, which then made panel presentations and underwent probing questions by a board of judges led by the DILG Secretary.
Launched on October 21, 1993, the Galing Pook Awards has already recognized over 330 LGU programs from at least 200 LGUs in the country that have been promoted for replication to benefit more communities.
