President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Wednesday honored outstanding barangay programs during the 2025 Galing Pook Awards, emphasizing the crucial role of local communities in delivering essential services.

“Sa barangay nagsisimula ang serbisyong pinakamalapit sa tao,” President Marcos said during the ceremony at Malacañang Palace, highlighting how barangays serve as the frontline of government service delivery.

The President praised the awardees for their innovative programs, noting that effective governance is achieved when projects are carried out with clarity, accountability, and integrity.

“Kapag malinaw ang proseso ng pamahalaan, lumalakas ang tiwala ng ating mga kababayan; kung may pananagutan, tumataas ang respeto ng mamamayan; at tuwing inuuna natin ang kapakanan ng taumbayan, sumusunod ang pag-unlad ng ating inang-bayan,” he said. He added that public service must be “tapat, bukas, at may direksyon.”

This year’s Galing Pook awardees come from across the country and were honored for community-driven initiatives that address environmental protection, education, disaster preparedness, renewable energy, urban sustainability, community participation, justice systems, inclusivity, conflict resolution, and local rehabilitation efforts. Barangay 57 Dap-dap in Legazpi City was cited for the revitalization of the Macabalo River; Barangay Balulang in Cagayan de Oro City for its BUSkwela program helping children return to school; Barangay Blue Ridge B in Quezon City for its Street Camps disaster preparedness system; and Barangay General Malvar in Santiago City for its solar-power revolution project. Also recognized were Barangay Daang Bakal in Mandaluyong City for its urban gardens and “palit-bote-para-sa-tinapay” project; Barangay Naggasican in Santiago City for its clearance-with-a-checklist initiative; Barangay Pantal in Dagupan City for its community justice garden; Barangay Tagas in Tabaco City for its sign language training program; Barangay Poblacion in South Cotabato for its Dungog Kariton conflict resolution project; and Barangay San Isidro in Makati City for its rehabilitation of Tripa de Gallina.

Each awardee received a Galing Pook Marker and a P300,000 cash prize from the Department of the Interior and Local Government–Local Government Academy.

Marcos stressed that while the programs vary in purpose, they share the same goal of addressing community needs to bring meaningful change. He urged other barangays nationwide to adopt these best practices to strengthen local governance.

“Let us strive to continue to replicate the success of these barangay initiatives on a national scale—learning what works and strengthening the systems that uphold efficiency, participation, and transparency in government,” the President said.

He also commended the Galing Pook Foundation for promoting excellence and integrity in governance for more than three decades, encouraging both awardees and finalists to continue serving with dedication.

“Huwag niyo pong kakalimutan na dapat na malaki ang pasasalamat natin sa pagpapaalala na ang pagbabago at pag-unlad ay nagsisimula sa pinakamaliit na hakbang at lumalakas kapag tayo ay sama-samang kumikilos,” Marcos said.