For the year 2010, the Galing Pook Awards program set in place a parallel equally prestigious formal recognition for innovation and excellence in local governance in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. This is a cooperative undertaking of the ARMM Regional Government, Galing Pook Foundation, Local Government Academy – Department of the Interior and Local Government and The Asia Foundation, with the support of the United States Agency for International Development.

The winners for the Galing Pook Awards – ARMM are chosen from among the local governance programs exclusively in the ARMM areas after undergoing rigorous screening process based on positive results and impact, promotion of people’s participation and empowerment, innovation, transferability and sustainability, efficiency of program service delivery, and gender responsiveness.