By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet
“Ito ang kulturang nais nating ipalaganap sa pamahalaan, ganito ang serbisyo publiko na dapat ramdam ng pamayanan, dapat bukas at may direksyon.”
As part of the government’s drive towards promoting governance that resonates with the masses, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. hailed the awardees and finalists of the 2025 Galing Pook Awards Wednesday, Decemeber 3, 2025.
Marcos Jr. recognized the 10 Outstanding Barangay Initiatives from various villages across the country, honoring their programs for bringing about meaningful change to their communities and their constituents.
He said in his speech, “Hindi madaling gumawa ng mga programa lalo na kung limitado ang pondo, kulang ang tauhan, at marami pang ibang pangangailangan ang komunidad. Ngunit, pinatunayan ninyo na posible naman ang mahusay na pamamahala kapag malinaw ang layunin ng proyekto at tapat ang proseso sa pagpapatupad nito.”
The following barangays bagged awards during the ceremony:
- Barangay 57 Dap-dap, Legazpi City, Albay (revitalization of the Macabalo River)
- Barangay Balulang, Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental (BUSkwela initiative)
- Barangay Blue Ridge B, Quezon City (Street Camps)
- Barangay General Malvar, Santiago City, Isabela (solar-power revolution program)
- Barangay Daang Bakal, Mandaluyong City (palit-bote-para-sa-tinapay project, urban gardens)
- Barangay Naggasican, Santiago City, Isabela (clearance-with-a-checklist)
- Barangay Pantal, Dagupan City, Pangasinan (community justice garden)
- Barangay Tagas, Tabaco City, Albay (sign language training)
- Barangay Poblacion, South Cotabato (Dungog Kariton Project)
- Barangay San Isidro, Makati City (rehabilitation of Tripa de Gallina creek)
The President moreover encouraged village chiefs to sustain the momentum of these initiatives that mirror the national government’s vision of vibrant and flourishing communities that greatly contribute to the country’s progress and prosperity.
He wrapped up his remarks by hailing the Galing Pook Foundation (GPF) for championing excellence in governance and public service among local government units (LGUs) in the country.
“Ipinakita rin ng ganitong parangal na ang tapat at maayos na pamamahala ay hindi lang nasa kamay ng national government. Nagsisimula ito sa pangunahing unit ng pamahalaan, ang barangay.”
The Galing Pook Awards recognizes the best local government practices that have uplifted lives and livelihoods in Philippine communities, paving the way for possible adoption into the lineup of national government programs that may also be integrated in other villages.
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