The Galing Pook Awards
About the Award
The Galing Pook Awards was launched in October 21, 1993 as a pioneering program that searches and
recognizes innovative practices by local government units. LGU finalists with outstanding initiatives
are carefully selected and winners are recognized in a very prestigious awarding ceremony.
The awardees of the Galing Pook are chosen from a national search of local governance programs, evaluated through a rigorous screening process, using the following selection criteria: (1) positive results and impact, (2) promotion of people’s participation and empowerment, (3) innovation and adaptation, (4) resilience, (5) sustainability, and (6) efficiency of program service delivery and transferability.
Beyond the awards, winning programs become models of good governance promoted for adoption
in other communities. They provide useful insights and strategies to find innovative solutions to
common problems. More importantly, they affirm the community and the local government’s
commitment to good governance.
Since 1993, 377 programs from 244 local government units were awarded the Galing Pook. These awardees become very important advocates in
inspiring other local governments to introduce innovative practices and provide a fertile environment for the replication of successful reforms.
The 2026 Galing Pook Awards is open to all programs of LGUs, from the provinces, cities, municipalities, and barangays as long as they meet the eligibility criteria.
Eligibility Criteria
The search is open to programs of provinces, cities, municipalities, and barangays. For your program to be considered for the Galing Pook Awards, it must meet the following minimum requirements:
- It must have involved or engaged processes within a local government unit (barangay, municipality, city, or province) even if the program might have been initiated (either independently or jointly) by an NGO, CSO and/or an LGU.
- It must have been in operation for at least two years before the deadline of submission.
- It must have verifiable and significant results.
Selection Criteria
| Positive Results and Impact (on People, Planet, and Prosperity) | 25% |
| Promotion of People’s Participation, Empowerment, and Partnership | 25% |
| Innovation, Adaptation, and Responsiveness to Local Context | 20% |
| Resilience and Social Cohesion | 10% |
| Sustainability for People, Planet, and Prosperity | 10% |
| Efficiency of Program Service Delivery, Partnership-Building, and Transferability | 10% |
| TOTAL | 100% |
Mode of submission: Google Form at https://bit.ly/2026GalingPookAwardsApplication
Deadline: July 15, 2026, 11:59PM PHT
Interested LGUs can download the complete application form and guidelines at the link below.
Download the 2026 Galing Pook Awards Guidelines with the link to the Application Form.
