By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet
In recognition of local governments that have shown extraordinary examples of good governance, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. led the 2026 Galing Pook Awards: The Ten Outstanding Local Governance Program at Malacañang Wednesday.
During the ceremony, he conferred the highly coveted recognition to the 10 Galing Pook Awardees, which were as follows:
- Project Denguerra – War on Dengue (Baguio City)
- Bataan E-Mobility (Bataan)
- Iloilo City Action and Resilience (ICare) Center (Iloilo City)
- One Name, One Identity: Walang Maiiwan Pagayawan (Pagayawan, Lanao del Sur)
- QC Kabahagi Center for Children with Disabilities (Quezon City)
- Building Spaces in a Spaceless City (Valenzuela City)
- Del Carmen Farm-to-Spoon (Del Carmen, Surigao del Norte)
- Kawsa sa Agrikultura ug Panginabuhian sa Barangay [KAAGAPAY Program] (Davao del Norte)
- North Manila Bay Nature-based Solutions Pilot Project (Malolos City, Bulacan)
- Zero Illiteracy and Innumeracy Program for Mangyan (Oriental Mindoro)
The winners are handpicked through a rigorous screening process using the following set of criteria: positive results and impact; promotion of people’s participation and empowerment; innovation and adaptation; resilience; sustainability; and efficiency of program service delivery and transferability.
President Marcos Jr. said in his speech, “Magkakaiba man ang mga hamon at solusyon, iisa ang ipinapakita ng mga programang ito: na ang mahusay na pamamahala ay nagdudulot ng tunay at makabuluhang pagbabago sa buhay ng ating mga kababayan.”
The event, which coincided with the observance of Local Government Month in October, reinforces the administration’s thrust towards championing best practices in local governance, which is reflected in the meaningful change that it provides to communities nationwide.
The Chief Executive concluded by encouraging the finalists and winners to sustain the momentum of their initiatives: “As the needs of our communities continue to evolve, so must the solutions that you provide. Continue improving your programs, let your accomplishments inspire other local governments to learn and to take your success even further.”
Since its launch in 1993, the Galing Pook Awards has recognized 377 programs from 244 local governments. The awardees have become important advocates, inspiring other local governments to adopt innovative practices and creating a fertile environment for replicating successful reforms. (with report from Clay Pardilla | PTV News)
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