Galing Pook Awards 2022 closes application period, 196 LGU projects bat for win
Galing Pook Foundation, together with its public and private partners the DILG-Local Government Academy and SM Prime is geared towards strengthening its mission in building smart, safe, and sustainable communities that are climate resilient at disaster proof.
With the launch of the 2022 Galing Pook Awards, GPF received a total of 196 applications from local government units across the country.
SM Prime believes that the yearly awards program is a worthy cause that is aligned with SM’s core business strategies and practices on disaster risk reduction and resilience: “The progress of the Philippine economy is largely dependent on sustainable and resilient government and businesses that can withstand the offset operations. Likewise, investors and stakeholders will always look towards communities that are strong, thriving and have confidence in their local leaders. This is why it is important for our LGUs to be resilient in their respective areas with the aim of safeguarding the entire country,” says Atty. Pearly Joan Turley, SM Prime’s AVP for Corporate Compliance.
As more LGUs expressed their interest in joining the awards program, we are assured that while we return to some pre-pandemic practices in living through the New Normal, we can build back better through adaptive and innovative local governance programs that aim to improve the quality of life for Filipinos.
Likewise, DILG-LGA Executive Director Thelma Vecina says that the awards program is a testament that LGUs are committed to raise the bar for public service delivery. “There are now more resources for LGUs but also greater expectations from them. It is within this space of change that we may further see LGUs elevating their performance and this is the essential tenet of the GP Awards for Excellence.”
From the preliminary screening, projects will be validated before the final presentation and panel interview in November, which will be chaired by Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Sec. Benhur Abalos. Sec. Abalos also received Galing Pook Awards during his time as Mayor of Mandaluyong City for projects such as Garden of Life Park, and Project Therapy, Education and Assimilation of Children with Handicap (TEACH), and is a known champion of innovative and effective LGU practices.
Galing Pook Foundation Chairperson Mel Sarmiento is inviting everyone to support this year’s awards program. “Kailangan natin ng mga best practices na maging modelo…Sa pagshare ng best practices nakakatulong po kayo para makamit natin ang asensong gusto nating marating patungo sa national roadmap na Ambisyon Natin 2040.”
The 2022 Galing Pook Awards Ceremony is set on November 21, 2022.