A “Galing Pook” Award signage was turned over and unveiled at the lobby of the Negros Occidental Capitol in Bacolod City Wednesday, February 9.
The Galing Pook Award is given to exemplary LGUs who have implemented programs that achieved positive results and impact, empowered communities and delivered efficient program service.
Negros Occidental was recognized as one of the Top 10 Winners of the 2021 Galing Pook Awards with its entry, Network of Alliances for Coastal Wetlands Conservation (NOCWAMA).
NOCWAMA was declared as the 7th Ramsar Site Wetland of International Importance of the Philippines on Oct. 20, 2016 and the 4th East Asian Australasian Flyway Site.
The program, which started in 2015 harmonizes the implementation of programs and policies through local and international linkages for sustainable management of coastal wetlands and enhanced productivity towards socio-economic growth.
Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said that he was honored to accept the Galing Pook signage at the Capitol and is proud of the acknowledgment of good governance.
He attributed the victory to the members of NOCWAMA, local chief executives of the 10-member LGUs composed of the cities of Bago, Himamaylan, and Kabankalan, and the municipalities of Pulupandan, Valladolid, Pontevedra, San Enrique, Hinigaran, Binalbagan, and Ilog, government agencies, non-government organizations, the academe, and everyone that is part of the alliance.
He also thanked the Galing Pook Foundation for their effort in promoting innovation, sustainability, citizen empowerment, and excellence in local governance.
The 2021 Galing Pook Awards is presented by the Galing Pook Foundation, Department of the Interior and Local Government – Local Government Academy, and SM Prime Holdings.
Lacson was joined at the signage turnover rites by Board Member Andrew Montelibano, chairman of the SP Committee on Environment, Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz, Provincial Consultant for Energy and Environment Affairs Rafael Cosculluela, Provincial Environment Management Office (PEMO) head, Julie Ann Bedrio, PENRO Edgardo Rostata, Dr. Jose Rene Gayo of Galing Pook Awards, and SM Holdings Mall Manager, George Anthony Jardiolin, among others.*