One city and a non-government organization in Negros Occidental are finalists for the 2023 Galing Pook awards.
Bago City’s “Reviving the Majestic Diversity of Bago Watershed” is one of the 17 local government unit finalists from around the country.
The Negrense Volunteers for Change (NVC) Foundation is one of 10 finalists for the 2023 Galing Pook Citizenship Awards.
“This year’s Galing Pook Awards is not just about recognizing excellence, it is also about constantly finding new ways of approaching the challenges we face and moving towards progress and transformation through effective local governance. We are proud to say that each year, more LGUs take on the challenge to build smarter, safer, more sustainable, and disaster-resilient communities,” Galing Pook Chairperson Mel Seen Sarmiento said.
“The recognition of Bago’s Reviving the Majestic Diversity of Bago Watershed validates the outstanding involvement and support of our community -based organizations (CBOs) in conserving our natural endowments and improving the ecosystem services to protect the lives and livelihoods of Bagonhons,” Bago Mayor Nicholas Yulo said.
“This commendation strengthens our resolve to continue our partnership with stakeholders in working for people-centered, planet-inspired and profit-oriented endeavors for a sustainable and progressive Bago City,” he said.
Meanwhile, aside from NVC the finalist for the 2023 Galing Pook Citizenship Awards are Espoir School of Life, Foundation for the Development of Agusanons Inc., Health Futures Foundation Inc., Lamac Multi-purpose Cooperative, Mati Moms, Project Blue PH, Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc., Sibog Katawhan Alang sa Paglambo Inc. and Villa Berde Food Forest Farm.
“These organizations have actively promoted citizen empowerment and people’s participation in governance through their various efforts. The best innovations happen when citizens and government work together towards shared goals, ” Sarmiento said.
Millie Kilayko, NVC president, said “when our organization was established 13 years ago, our only desire was, for ourselves as ordinary persons, to help create positive change in little ways around us. That Galing Pook Foundation Inc. has discovered us and recognizes our work by naming us as Finalist for its Citizenship Awards, is a tribute to the power of the ordinary person to make a difference. That has always been our message of hope, and it brings us great joy and fulfillment that the message resonates”.
The Galing Pook Foundaton will be announcing the Citizenship Awards and Ten Outstanding Local Governance winners on October 12.*