VP Leni bestows Jesse Robredo award on Legazpi mayor; 10 LGUs win Galing Pook accolades

Six cities and four municipalities were the recipients of this year's Galing Pook Awards, held on Thursday, October 11, 2018. Vice President Leni Robredo, who was also on hand to present the Jesse Robredo Leadership Award, was the guest of honor and keynote speaker. Photo: Margaret Claire Layug

Ten cities and municipalities received the prestigious 2018 Galing Pook award on Thursday for outstanding governance, while Vice President Leni Robredo bestowed the 4th Jesse Robredo leadership award upon Legazpi City Mayor Noel Rosal.

The six cities and four municipalities honored for outstanding local governance programs this year are:

• Municipality of Bindoy, Negros Orientel — Ridge to Reef (R2R) program
• Iloilo City - Iloilo-Batiano River Development Project
• Cagayan de Oro City - “No Vote, Ibot” No More: Ending the Political Bondange in Resettlement Areas by Providing Security of Tenure
• Municipality of Del Carmen, Surigao del Norte - Siargao it Up! Mangrove Management Program
• Municipality of San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte - Importance of Cultural Heritage Conservation and the Role of the Education Sector
• Navotas City - Accessible, Holistic and InclusiVe Education (ACHIEVE)
• Valenzuela City - The Valenzuela City Comprehensive Safety and Security Plan
• Tagum City, Davao del Norte - Tagumpay Works Program
• Naga City - Barangay, eSkwela and the Barangay Literacy Worker: Naga’s Comprehensive Approach to Promoting Education for Out-of-School Children, Youth and Adults (OSCYAs)
• Municipality of Loboc, Bohol - Reviving the Musical Tradition and Heritage by Empowering Poeple through the Loboc Music Program

The following were also given honorable mentions:

• Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija - Comprehensive program for Sama-Bajaos
• Province of Cebu - Special Comprehensive Insurance Program for Agri-Fishery Projects and Stakeholders
• Barangay Hingatungan, Silago, S. Leyte - Hingutan Lupong Tagapamayapa (HILUTA): Performance Beyond Age
• Municipality of Kapatagan, Lanao del Sur - Poonan O Kauyag-uyag (Root of Life):  Changing Cultural Mindsets, Ending Home-based Deliveries
• Naga City - Comprehensive PWD Rehabilitation Program with focus on community-based rehabilitation
• Province of Quezon - Quezon’s First 1,000 Days of Life (Q1K) Program
• Municipality of San Mateo, Isabela - Agrikultura: Kabataan ang Pag-asa
• Tagum City, Davao del Norte - Balik Sigla and Tagumpay Gulayan Programs for a Healthy Community

The Galing Pook Awards have been given to 319 programs from at least 200 local government units in the 25 years they have been handed out. 

The awardees were scored on on positive results and impact (30 percent); promotion of people’s participation and empowerment (30 percent); innovation (15 percent); transferability (15 percent); and efficiency of program service delivery (10 percent).

NOW: Vice President Robredo arrives at Galing Pook awarding ceremony in QC to present 4th Jesse Robredo Leadership Award to Legazpi Mayor Noel Rosal @gmanews pic.twitter.com/WkOByecZVE

— M. Claire Layug (@MClaireLayug) October 11, 2018

Rosal, meanwhile, received the Jesse Robredo Leadership Award from the Vice President, who was the event's guest of honor and keynote speaker.

Rosal, who started his public service career as a barangay captain, is now in his fifth term as mayor of the Albay capital. 

In her speech, Robreo lauded the leaders of local government units.

"There is no place on earth where leadership is tested more intensely—and shines more powerfully—than in local government units," she said. That’s because Governors, Mayors, Barangay Captains, and other local government workers face more real-world problems than national government officials. The nation should be more grateful for all that you do, every single day." — BM, GMA News