THE United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization has chosen Albay Second District Representative Joey Salceda as its 2022 UNESCO Club Outstanding Public Servant in Good Governance for his achievements and advocacies aligned with the "ideals and thrusts of the international body."

Salceda will be conferred the award at Bayview Hotel Manila on 11 December.

In 2016, UNESCO declared Albay as a Biosphere Reserve (learning place for sustainable development), which materialized through Salceda's efforts when he was provincial governor.

There will also be recognitions for Outstanding Educators, Youth Leaders, Young Professionals and Frontliners.

Laguna Governor Ramil Hernandez is likewise an awardee in Salceda's category while the Albay Young Farmers Program will receive an accreditation certificate as a UNESCO Club member.

Now on his third and last term as House of Representatives where he chairs the Committee on Ways and Means, Salceda has crafted legislations that have revolutionized the educational and taxation systems and strengthened the economy, among others.

Among the notable legislations he crafted were the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act (Republic Act 10939), Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Act (RA 10963); Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises or CREATE Act (RA 11534), and the pending Real Property Valuation Reform Act and Financial Intermediary Taxation Bill, aside from other tax reform packages.

The awards acknowledge the accomplishments and undertakings of UNESCO Club Public Servants who endeavor to pursue the principles of UNESCO; invigorate other youth organizations, local government units and non-governmental and school-based organizations about the attributes of a UNESCO Club Youth Leader who promote cultural diversity and contribute to peace and human development; appreciate the exemplary pioneering initiatives and noble struggles of youth leaders who have contributed to advancing the direction of UNESCO; educate the general public about everyday examples of achieving UNESCO's objectives to advance community empowerment towards development; and recognize LGUs that have demonstrated outstanding accomplishments in governance, administration, social services, economic development, and environmental management.

In a separate statement, the agency said that as a global grassroots movement, UNESCO Clubs support the organization's priorities by using their communities' own experiences, skills, and outlook to foster peace; as well as groups of people of all ages, from all walks of life and background who firmly believe in UNESCO's ideals.