BANGUED, Abra (PIA) –- Barangay local government units (BLGUs) in the province that exhibited exemplary performance on disaster resiliency last year were recognized during the Abra Barangay Resiliency Awards (ABRA).
 
The Awards held at the Abra Sports Complex is one of the highlights of the week-long celebration of 2023 Abrenian Kawayan Festival with the theme “Rambak ti Ballaigi ni Abreño”.
 
Conferred the  ABRA  were 168  BLGUs  with  30 in Bangued, 4 in Boliney, 13 in Bucay, 3 in Bucloc 4 in Danglas, 14 in Dolores, 11 in La Paz, 3 in Lacub, 16 in Lagangilang, 5 in Lagayan, 6 in Licuan-Baay, 3 in Luba, 3 in Malibcong, 7 in Manabo, 4 in Peñarrubia, 4 in Pidigan, 5 in Pilar, 6 in Sallapadan, 1 in San Isidro, 14 in San Juan, 3 in San Quintin, 1 in Tayum, 2 in Tineg, 4 in Tubo, and 2 in Villaviciosa.

Moreover, out of the 168 awardees, 27 barangays were scored with the highest rating and took home a special cash incentive award of P100,000 from the provincial government.
 
The awarded barangays were also given a mobile patrol tricycle each from the provincial government for additional mobility.

Now on its second year, the Awards recognizes highly functional BLGUs in different dimensions specifically on disaster risk reduction and management initiatives and Local Good Government.
 
In his message, Governor Dominic Valera lauded the punong barangays for getting the resiliency award through their leadership. He said that it is worthwhile to set a separate day for their recognition during the Kawayan festival.
 
“I was once a punong barangay in Bangued so it’s important to give recognitions for these well-performing local officials especially during the time of pandemic and earthquake,”  the Governor  stressed.
  
Department of  the Interior and Local Government – Abra Provincial Director Daisy Payang said that this awarding program of the provincial government continues to encourage BLGUs to implement DRRM initiatives effectively.
 
“The barangays are the institutional foundation of governance and they play a critical role in fostering reliance among their areas. You will serve as an inspiration for other barangays to demonstrate exemplary resilience in the areas also,” Payang stated.
 
Under this program, all the barangays in Abra were validated by a team composed of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, DILG-Abra, Philippine Red Cross Abra Chapter and the Provincial Planning and Development Office. (JDP/CAGT – PIA CAR, Abra)