Galing Pook Foundation separately recognized the province of Bohol and the municipality of Maribojoc for effective local governance during awarding ceremonies at the Rizal Hall in Malacanang last January 30.
No less than President Benigno Simeon Aquino III conferred the Galing Pook awards to Bohol, Maribojoc and eight other local government units from across the country that displayed outstanding local leadership.
The LGUs were chosen from among 137 nominees based on innovation, positive results, transferability and sustainability, people’s participation, and efficiency in program service delivery in this annual search for the best governance programs nationwide.
PNoy acknowledged Gov. Edgar M. Chatto for leading initiatives in the province and rallying the support of appropriate sectors in the successful implementation of the rabies elimination program.
President Aquino further recognized Bohol for the very strong linkage between national and local government towards achieving goals to alleviate poverty as well as the realization of development programs of his administration.
He also lauded the Galing Pook Foundation for recognizing local government units’ initiatives and innovations, making them partners of reaching his vision of “matuwid na daan”.
Chatto led the Boholano delegation in receiving the Galing Pook award for Bohol. He was joined by Vice Gov. Concepcion O. Lim, Provincial Administrator Alfonso R. Damalerio II, Board Member Abeleon Damalerio, Provincial Veterinarian Dr. Stella Marie Lapiz, Provincial Health Officer Dr. Reymoses Cabagnot, Rey Anthony Chiu of PIA, Augustus Escobia of EDCOM, and other members of the Bohol Rabies Prevention and Elimination Council.
Galing Pook National Selection Committee Chair Rafael Coscuellela was also all praises for Chatto’s dynamic leadership, recalling having bestowed a Galing Pook award to Bohol for when Chatto was then vice governor.
In 2000, the Barangay Livestock Assistance (BALA) program won for Bohol a Galing Pook award in sustainable agriculture local economic development through increased income generation potential in livestock rearing.
The Galing Pook Foundation this time honored Bohol’s Rabies Prevention and Eradication Program which is a two-pronged approach that adopts a community-led program implementation for the intensive control of canine rabies.
This is done through elimination of stray dogs and massive immunization of the dog population in the province under the Office of the Provincial Veterinarian. The prevention and control of human rabies via immunization of dog bite cases as well as immunization of vulnerable population is possible through the Provincial Health Office.
The program also enlisted the participation of other sectors such as the DepEd by integrating lessons on responsible pet ownership and rabies prevention in elementary school classes.
PNoy was assisted by DILG Sec. Jesse Robredo, Galing Pook Foundation Chair Nieves Confessor, Landbank President & CEO Gilda Pico and DBP Senior VP Crescenciana Bundoc during the awarding rites.
Bohol effectiveely wins double in this year’s Galing Pook Awards as the Municipality of Maribojoc was accorded the same honor for the LGU-led cadastral survey project.
Maribojoc is the first LGU-led participant in the DENR’s Land Administration and Management Project 2, resulting in the appreciation of land valuation, an increase in the collection of real property tax, security of the “tenurial status” of title holders and reduction of incidents of land grabbing.
During an interview with Galing Pook awardees Monday night on ANC, Chatto headlined Bohol’s priority programs on health, education, agriculture and tourism as he was congratulated by host Tina Palma who asked Chatto in jest on what more awards he has yet to bring home for the province.
In a fitting close, Chatto stated, “governance is good politics” when asked about politics getting in the way of service delivery.
He also acknowledged Dr. Lapiz and all those who rallied and worked for the success of the program.
Chatto as Balilihan mayor in 1995 also won a Galing Pook award for mobilizing puroks to facilitate people’s participation resulting in the effective delivery of the necessary health and sanitation program in the town.
The Galing Pook Awards was established in 1993 as a joint initiative of the Local Government Academy–Department of the Interior and Local Government, the Ford Foundation, and other individual advocates of good governance from the academe, civil society and the government.
In its almost two decades of existence, Galing Pook has become a leading resource institution continuously promoting innovation and excellence in local governance.
This year’s awardees were recognized for outstanding programs on health, justice, and inclusiveness among others. Aside from Bohol Province and Maribojoc, other LGUs awarded were Albay; an inter-local health zone in Quezon, composed of the