MANILA -- President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Tuesday recognized the active response and effective leadership of local government units (LGUs) amid the COVID-19 pandemic and other challenges. 

“As your President, I’m deeply encouraged by the effective leadership we now see shining brightly amongst our LGUs,” the President said during the 2022 Galing Pook Awards held at the Ceremonial Hall of the Malacañan Palace. 

The chief executive noted that everyone benefited from the active response and prompt delivery of services of the LGUs in the years of the pandemic.

Through the LGUs, the President said, the real situation and the needs of those at the grassroots level were identified. 

“So, I thank you for letting our people know that they are in safe hands, even if the health crisis and other succeeding challenges gave us enough reason to fear,” Marcos said.

The chief executive likewise expressed hope that LGUs will continue to give their best in the present journey into the new normal.

Marcos also hopes that the occasion will be a reminder that it is the track record that speaks for performance and that it also reflects why the constituents continue to choose them as their leaders.

“May you, therefore, remain consistent and persevering in your endeavors so that you may reach even greater heights,” the President said.

“Together, let us build a country where efficient, competent, and effective leadership is the hallmark of Philippine governance,” Marcos added.

President Marcos likewise expressed optimism that with the Galing Pook and LGUs leading the way, “we will not only achieve this goal, but we will rise from the rubble of challenges of recent years, emerge stronger, wiser, and more successful as a Filipino nation.” 

Galing Pook is a leading resource institution that recognizes, capacitates and promotes innovation, sustainability, citizen empowerment and excellence in local governance and has empowered hundreds of LGUs to develop programs and social innovations through the Galing Pook Awards, Galing Pook Academy and Galing Pook Advocacies.

In his speech, the President commended the Galing Pook Foundation for promoting excellence and innovations in local governance by recognizing and incentivizing the top-performing LGUs.

Marcos noted that the recognition of cities and municipalities inspires them to accelerate their drive toward improvement and encourages LGUs to adopt practices that “make us paragons of excellence in public service.”

The President cited the need to underscore the importance of strengthening partnerships between the government and private organizations.

“I hope the Galing Pook Foundation will continue developing the knowledge of local chief executives and facilitating the exchange of best practices that foster development in our localities, such as your Adaptive and Innovative Leadership Program,” the chief executive added. 

The President congratulated the Galing Pook awardees for formulating and implementing programs that provide innovative solutions to the common problems of the society. 

Marcos further encouraged the awardees to continue the programs and advocacies “so that you may inspire your fellow LGUs to introduce innovative practices geared towards improving the lives of their constituents.”

The 10 outstanding programs by various LGUs are The Green Wall of Alcala (Alcala, Cagayan); Advancing and Sustaining Good Governance and Community Actions towards Resiliency and Empowerment (Basilan Province); Bataan Public-Private Partnership Programs (Bataan Province); Balik-Biñan Project: Tourism Development through Heritage Conservation (Biñan City, Laguna); From Black to Green: Fishponds, Eco- Tourism and Full Employment (Brgy. Cayabu, Tanay, Rizal); Trekking to Unlock Community Ailments and Difficulties (TUCAD) (Goa, Camarines Sur); “I-BIKE” A Program Promoting the Development of the Iloilo City Bike Culture (Iloilo City); Yaru: A Whole-of-Community Approach Towards Disaster Management (Itbayat, Batanes); Libertad Fish Forever Savings Club (Libertad, Antique); and Basta Piddigueño, AgriHenyo: Consolidated Farm Production System (Piddig, Ilocos Norte). 

The winners were chosen from 18 finalists and a record field of 196 applications from different LGUs in the country, according to Galing Pook Foundation. 

The Galing Pook Awards, launched on October 21, 1993, has recognized 329 LGU programs from 200 LGUs in the country. (PND)