The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has urged the ten winners of the 2023 Galing Pook Awards to share their outstanding local governance programs with other local government units (LGUs) to benefit more communities across the country.

In his message during the awarding ceremony in Pasay City on Thursday afternoon, Interior Secretary Benjamin ‘Benhur’ Abalos Jr., who represented President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., urged the winners to collaborate with the DILG and Galing Pook Foundation in helping other LGUs emulate their transformative projects

“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,” the DILG chief said.

“Kaya ang hihilingin ko sa inyo (That’s why I’m asking you), work with us in DILG, Galing Pook, and let’s replicate these programs to other LGUs. It’s not just about winning, it’s not just about the awards. It’s also about sharing these beautiful practices to others,” said Abalos, who himself was a recipient of multiple Galing Pook awards during his term as mayor of Mandaluyong City.

President Marcos, in his message read by Abalos, also lauded the winners for their innovative and excellent programs that address various local challenges, and improved the lives of their constituents.

“Your unwavering dedication and innovative spirit are a testament to the resilience and determination of the Filipino people.” Marcos said.

The President also thanked the Galing Pook Foundation for empowering LGUs and civil society organizations (CSOs) to develop programs and social innovations for improved public service delivery.

Winners of the 2023 Galing Pook Awards and their respective innovative programs 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, 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; and 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.

The awardees were chosen from 166 applications from different local governments in the country. The applicants were trimmed down to 17 finalists, who 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. (PNA)