'Galing Pook Awards' recognizes 10 outstanding local governance programs

 By: Emmanuel D. Taghoy

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Oct. 20 (PIA) - The search for outstanding and innovative local governance programs is about to be concluded and ten local government units from all over the country gets the prestigious 'Galing Pook Awards'. From 206 entries, only 22 emerged as finalists. These programs provided the most adaptive and innovative responses even to challenges brought by the Covid-19 pandemic in health and safety, education and learning, livelihood and sustainability, and environmental protection and conservation. This year’s awards process, which is the 22nd cycle of the Galing Pook Awards, is the first purely online search done by the Galing Pook Foundation, and it received a record-breaking number of entries from all over the country.

Galing Pook Chairperson Mel Sarmiento said these LGUs are meant to be celebrated as they continuously and effectively delivered programs even in the most challenging times. “We are certain that all the 22 programs deserve to be recognized, documented and shared nationwide and even globally for replication. Each of them demonstrated the desire of our people for effective and excellent leadership from our local governments especially during the time of the COVID-19 pandemic,” he said. Mr. Sarmiento is inviting all government leaders to witness the awarding ceremony. “Times are tough but we have a renewed sense of hope and inspiration from our LGUs that have shown us good governance is still a reality in our country. Join us as we celebrate our country’s sources of hope and inspiration,” he said. A virtual awarding ceremony via Zoom will be held on October 20, 2021 at 4PM. It will also be streamed live on Galing Pook Foundation’s Facebook page at https://facebook.com/galingpook. The Galing Pook Awards is co-presented by SM Prime Holdings Inc., the Department of the Interior and Local Government and the Local Government Academy. (RVC/EDT/PIA9-Zamboanga del Norte)