Application for the 2022 Galing Pook Awards closes
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 22, 2022.

Good local governance for every Juan!
Galing Pook Foundation Partners with Cebu Pacific for the 2022 Galing Pook Awards

Galing Pook Foundation is proud to announce its partnership with Cebu Pacific for this year’s Galing Pook Awards. As the country’s largest and most accessible airline, Cebu Pacific aligns in our vision of promoting inclusion, environmental sustainability, and community participation among Filipinos. 

Cebu Pacific is Galing Pook’s official airline partner for the site validation of 30 promising programs that can potentially be part of the 10 outstanding local governance programs of 2022. From September 12 to October 14, the National Selection Committee is set to conduct site interviews to evaluate each program based on positive results and impact, promotion of people’s participation and empowerment, innovation, transferability and sustainability, and efficiency of program service delivery. 

“We are grateful for Cebu Pacific in joining us in promoting good local governance and enabling every Juan to travel to witness and experience adaptive and innovative leadership across the country. Through public-private partnerships like this, we are a step closer in making every island in the Philippines smart, safe, and sustainable for everyone to live in,” says Mel Sarmiento, Chairperson of Galing Pook Foundation.”

The Galing Pook Awards was launched on October 21, 1993 as a pioneering program that searches for innovative practices by local government units. Since then, it has recognized more than 300 LGU programs from all over the country that serve as pockets of hope towards and islands of good governance. As we continue to recover from the pandemic and move towards the better normal, Cebu Pacific’s #LetsFlyJuansMore inspires us to achieve greater heights in our efforts to promote community empowerment.

Malusog na Bata, Malusog na Bansa!
LGU Best Practices on Food Security
and Nutrition

In July, Galing Pook hosted a Nutrition Webinar “Malusog na Bata, Malusog na Bansa” with Dr. Cielito Habito, a Professor of Economics at the Ateneo de Manila University.

The talk revolved around Food security situation and nutrition in the country, paramount national perspectives and local initiatives, common understanding towards food security, child stunting, zero hunger and local actions as well as pursuing an improved food systems. He also discussed the nurturing and protecting approaches to pursue self sufficiency, stressed the alarming state of malnutrition, implications of food security in the population and education as well as the lessons learned from food secure countries like Peru and Brazil.

Best practices namely Negros Occidental’s Pagkaon 2000 Food Sufficiency Program, Negros Oriental’s Barangay Agricultural Development Center (BADC) and Gulayan at Palaisdaan Alay sa Kabataan, Tuguegarao City’s Agricultural and Fishery Modernization program, Magsaysay, Davao del Sur’s Diversified Organic Farming System, San Mateo, Isabela’s Munggo: The Black Gold of San Mateo, Limasawa’s Good Nutrition through Good Governance and Teamwork, and Ambao Fish Sanctuary and Marine Reserve Area in Ambao, Southern Leyte were notably highlighted.

2021 Galing Pook award-winning program of Quezon City "Grow QC: Kasama ka sa Pag-Unlad sa Pagkain, Kabuhayan, at Kalusugan" was also featured in the webinar. As well as the community efforts of youth in Samar from their "Covege 20" program.

Lastly, the talk ended when ‘designing parameters’ for improved food systems was put forward to meet the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2: Zero Hunger by 2030.

GPF x TAF Food and Nutrition Study 

The Galing Pook Foundation, in partnership with The Asia Foundation, is currently conducting a case study by examining the programs conducted by local governments.
This study aims to improve the situation of food security and nutrition in the nation.The actions put forth by local government units to combat malnutrition are highlighted for this study's best practices and areas for improvement.
Consequently, Galing Pook Foundation and The Asia Foundation want to suggest policy and program reforms that the national and local governments, along with the commercial sector and civil society, may implement through this case study in order to create a healthier Philippines. This is hoped to be done by the vision of a self-sufficient and secure food supply in the Philippines, which may be deemed achievable through responsive and efficient local initiatives with sufficient and suitable support from the federal government.

Para sa Ligtas na Balik-Eskwela!
Galing Pook and Unicef continues coaching and mentoring session for the Safe Return of In-Person Classes

It takes the whole community to make safe return of in-person learning possible!

Galing Pook in partnership with UNICEF Philippines conducted coaching and mentoring sessions on local policy and program development in select LGUs in Samar Province, Northern Samar, and  Zamboanga Peninsula to check up on their preparations for the safe return of in-person classes. Representatives from DepEd, youth sector, local health offices, and barangay championed their best practices to help curb  transimission of Covid-19 and ensure safety of students.

To more data-driven processes towards local development!
Galing Pook joins Action for Economic Reforms (AER) for COLLABDev's 2nd National Assembly

Last, September, Galing Pook joined Action for Economic Reforms (AER) for the 2nd National Assembly of COLLABDev in Tacloban, Leyte. Dr. Eddie Dorotan, former Galing Pook Executive Director and member of COLLABDev's Advisory Group also graced the event.

Local coalitions of ten project sites presented their plans and progress of their community mobilisation. Gains of COLLABDev's project partners using data-driven processes were also celebrated.

In August, Galing Pook also joined the first interface talks of LGUs from Irosin, Pilar, Donsol, and the province of Sorsogon together with CSOs, and professors and students of Sorsogon State University. Through the series of dicussion, we learned that Irosin needs help in gathering accurate data about their farmers and fisherfolk, while the municipality of Pilar aims to improve the delivery of its field health services.

Through dialogues, we learn and understand how we can implement ways to improve the lives of Filipinos!

Building more models of good governance
Galing Pook showcases model communities in CESB's training course

In July, Galing Pook graced the Career Executive Service Board's (CESB's)  I-GABAY Course: Community Engagement Module (CEM).

Galing Pook Executive Director Georgina Hernandez-Yang served as a resource speaker and shared the secrets of  the 2015 Galing Pook award-winning program of Barangay Graceville:  LET'S GO! and "Mapanagutang Pamamahala."

Sharing stories of inspiration and adaptive innovations!
Galing Pook launches
"G na G: The Galing Pook Show!"

Galing Pook launched its first ever digital show "G na G: The Galing Pook Show!" a 40-min program featuring adaptive innovations, initiatives, and good governance. 

Hosted by Galing Pook Executive Director Georgina Hernandez-Yang, and Trustee Kiko Mendoza, the program invites guests from CSOs to talk about their good initiatives, and local chief executives to share their best practices, and how they pursue good governance.
 

Episode 1: Teacher Kim Puaso and Konsi Angelu De Leon

The pilot episode featured guest speakers Pasig City Councilor Angelu De Leon and Teacher Kim Puaso. In this episode, Teacher Kim took us into his Istouryahe Project which aims to cultivate reading habits while simultaneously instilling appreciation for Filipino art and culture among children. He also talked about their community-based initiatives to help students prepare for face-to-face classes. Konsi Angelu De Leon also highlighted God-fearingness, transparency, and inclusivity as indicators of good governance. 

Episode 2: Manuel R. Soliven and Cong. Rex Gatchalian

The second episode featured guest speakers SK Chair Manuel R. Soliven, and Valenzuela City Congressman Rex Gatchalian to talk about the best practices in good governance.

SK Chair Manuel Soliven, one of the awardees of the 2022 Philippine Sangguniang Kabataan Awards, talked about the challenges, initiatives, and accomplishments of Villa Gonzaga before bagging the first SK Council Award. Meanwhile, Congressman Rex Gatchalian shared his experiences in transforming Valenzuela City productively while instilling the spirit of innovation among the communities to promote good governance.

To more active youth participation in local governance!
Galing Pook supports PYDN for the 3rd Philippine Sangguniang Kabataan Awards

The 2022 Philippine Sangguniang Kabataan Awards were held last August to recognize outstanding SK leaders and youth-led programs that aim to build a better Philippines through innovative local initiatives.

After a long and competitive screening process, a total of 35 National Finalists for the Outstanding SK Projects Category were awarded. The programs awarded ranged from active citizenship and good governance, education, economic empowerment, health, social inclusion, peacebuilding to the environment. A new category was also added this year to award SK councils that exemplified good governance using the three pillars developed by GoodGovPH: 1.) Participation, 2.) Transparency and Accountability, and 3.) Effectiveness and Efficiency. 

The third Philippine SK Awards was organized in partnership with the Positive Youth Development Network, Galing Pook Foundation and GoodGov PH.