Galing Pook Awards 2015 1 The Galing Pook Vision We are a leading resource institution that promotes innovation, sustainability, citizen empowerment, and he Galing Pook awards is a pioneering program excellence in local governance. Tthat recognizes innovation and excellence in local governance. It started in October 21, 1993 under the joint initiative Mission of the Local Government Academy-Department of the Interior and Local Government, the Ford Foundation, We promote excellence in local governance through and other individual advocates of good governance recognition, sharing of information and support of from the academe, civil society and the government. efforts to replicate best practices at the local level. The Asian Institute of Management carried on the We encourage partnerships among civil society awards program until 2001. Earlier in 1998, the Galing organizations, private sector, and government Pook Foundation was formed as a juridical institution agencies at local, national and global levels to improve to sustain the program. quality of life. Contents 2 The Galing Pook 21 Philippine Cockatoo Conservation Program, Narra, 3 The Galing Pook Awards 2015 Palawan 4 Message from DILG Secretary Mel Senen Sarmiento 22 Minahang Bayanihan: Small Scale Mining Program, 5 Message from Galing Pook Chair Rafael Coscolluela South Cotabato 6 Stories of Hope, PHLPost Postmaster General and CEO 25 The Friendly Drugs: A PPP on Health Plus Project, South Ma. Josefina Dela Cruz Cotabato 6 Helping Shape a Better Future, LANDBANK President and 26 Education 360° Investment Program, Valenzuela City CEO Gilda Pico 28 Galing Pook Awards 2015 Finalists 7 Small Wins, Great Victories, SEAOIL Foundation President 31 The Galing Pook Citizenship Award Mark Anthony Yu 32 Empowering Communities in Peacebuilding and 7 Multi-Sectoral Collaboration, Friedrich Ebert Stiftung Development, BMFI Resident Representative Berthold Leimbach 33 Community-Based Monitoring of Government Programs 8 Pangkabuhayan Centers: A Way Out of Poverty, Siayan, and Services, CCAGG Zamboanga del Norte 34 Contributing to Both Member’s Welfare and Community 11 Local Garments Industry Institutionalization, Taytay, Rizal Development, Tagum Cooperative 12 Ambao Fish Sanctuary and Marine Reserve Area, Brgy. 35 Galing Pook Citizenship Award Finalists Ambao, Hinundayan, Southern Leyte 36 2015 GPA National Selection Committee 14 Team Albay Humanitarian Assistance Program, Albay 38 Citizenship Award Selection Committee 17 LETS GO: A Model of Barangay Good Governance, 38 Board of Trustees and Secretariat Brgy. Graceville, San Jose del Monte City, Bulacan 39 Galing Pook Theme Song 18 Involving the Youth in Community Development, Ilocos 39 Mamamayan, Mamamayani Theme Song Norte Cover design, layout, and articles by Allen M. Mariano • References supplied by LGUs • Photos courtesy of LGUs and GPF files 2 Galing Pook Awards 2015 The Galing Pook Awards 2015 aling Pook received 153 applications for the Galing Pook Awards 2015. GMunicipalities are the most represented (41%), followed by entries from cities (30%), provinces (25%), and barangays (4%). Luzon is also the most represented (50%), followed by Mindanao (26%) and the Visayas (24%). All regions are represented, with most coming from Western Visayas (15%) and CALABARZON (12%). The applications were judged based on the following criteria: positive results and impact (30%), promotion of people’s participation and empowerment (30%), innovation (15%), transferability and sustainability (15%), and efficiency of program service delivery (10%). The applications were screened by a 17-member National Selection Committee from different fields of expertise and experience, chaired by former Sarangani Governor and Galing Pook’s first Jesse Robredo Leadership Awardee, Miguel Rene Dominguez. Of the 153 applications, only 38 made it to the site validation stage, and only 16 made it to the finals. This magazine features the 2015 batch of ten winners. Sponsors Galing Pook Awards 2015 3 Republic of the Philippines DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT Office of the Secretary M E S S A G E Congratulations to all the awardees of the 2015 Gawad Galing Pook! Over the years, the prestigious Gawad Galing Pook has been instrumental in recog- nizing excellent local governance and encouraging local government units to deliver excel- lent public service - that is innovative, effective, inclusive and forward-looking. Our LGUs have been making waves in coming out with best practices which are contributing to the global goals of ending poverty, protecting the environment, and ensuring social protection. The DILG is one with you in our common goal to uplift the quality of life of our Bosses—the Filipino people. This year’s awarding of the first Galing Pook Citizenship Award and the conduct of the first Governance Fair with the theme, “Mamamayan, Mamamayani” highlighted the value of empowering the citizenry to be part in nation-building while sending a strong mes- sage that local governance is everyone’s business. To the Galing Pook Foundation, we are honored to work with you in our steadfast promotion of excellence in participative local governance. Mabuhay! MEL SENENENEEN S.S SARMIENTOSA Secretary 4 Galing Pook Awards 2015 Greetings! On behalf of Galing Pook Foundation, let me extend our sincere thanks to our sup- portive sponsors, friends and partners in civil society, government, academe, media, business and development institutions and all those who made this year’s celebration a rousing suc- cess. This year marked a most meaningful milestone for the Galing Pook awards program, one that witnessed a joint celebration of good governance and responsible citizenship under the theme Mamamayan, Mamamayani! Aside from the regular Galing Pook Awards for outstanding local government pro- grams, we conferred the first Galing Pook Citizenship Awards to three inspiring civil society organizations. This new awards category was envisioned two years ago to give due recog- nition to what private citizens, civil society or non-government and people’s organizations are doing, often under trying circumstances, to contribute to the well-being of their specific constituencies and thus, to the development of the nation itself. How fitting it was, then, to proclaim and celebrate this year’s theme through a three- day Governance Fair, which highlighted not only models of good local governance but also the community-building initiatives of private citizens and organizations, those unsung heroes who do not leave the task of building our country solely to government. The theme for this year sends out the message that for this country to move forward, we need good governance that involves the citizens, and that we need to have citizens who engage their government to work better. Indeed, we need to work together towards making this country truly the kind that we all deserve. To all the winners and finalists of the Galing Pook Awards, congratulations! Remem- ber to carry that award with pride as you continue to face the responsibilities that come along with it. Mabuhay ang mamamayan; mamamayani tayong lahat! RAFAELAFAAEELL L.L. COSCOLLUELACOCOSCS OLLUEL ChairpersonCh Galing Pook Awards 2015 5 Stories of Hope ood local governance hardly gets me- dedication in creating solutions that enhance real stories. You are the replicable case stud- Gdia mileage. Stories on how a good the lives of your constituents. I know what it ies that will truly turn this country into a new Governor, Mayor or even Barangay Captain feels like to be faced with 100 million chal- Asian tiger. If we continue to build on what conquers trenchant issues in his or her local- lenges and very little resources. What you do we see and hear, it is more likely that we will ity gets relegated to the inner pages in small is no joke. see our nation turn into a fi rst-world country blurbs. And yet I fi rmly believe that good by the turn of the century. local governance is the next frontier in our Organizations like the Galing Pook Founda- drive to make a great nation out of our trou- tion are doing the nation a great service by So congratulations to all the winners. Thank bled and fl awed political and economic past. recognizing local government programs and you for all that you do, and don’t stop here. projects that are prompting real changes in Keep on blazing a trail for yourselves in the Our local government units have the advan- real lives of real people, and we, at PHLPost, service of our nation. tage to hastily address the concerns in the are fortunate to be part of this endeavor. community, because our local executives are in the vantage point to know what’s happen- To me, your stories feed hope to a nation that ing on the ground and can expedite pro- has a tendency of forgetting that it is a great cesses and harness more innovations. Local one. Filipinos critic well and celebrate poorly. governments react faster to good leader- We love to rant. We love to paint a bleak ship. They also, however, can go bad just as picture. We love to complain without giving quickly, when there is no leadership. our own version of a solution. It is time for us to look at the bright side—objectively and That is why I am highly honored to be able maturely. MA. JOSEFINA M. DELA CRUZ to congratulate the local teams behind this Postmaster General and CEO year’s winning programs for your commit- This kind of award, which measures real re- ment to results, for your commitment to trans- sults, deserves to be in the front pages of the parency and accountability, and for your best newspapers in the country. You are the Helping Shape a Better Future As the country moves forward with the goal spective communities demonstrate the scale of inclusive growth through the extension of and potential that can be further explored fi nancial opportunities and other develop- and promoted toward positive transforma- ment assistance to remote and underserved tion and nation-building.