President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. recognized 10 barangays for excelling in implementing programs that benefit their constituents. The awardees were selected from 130 applications. 

According to Marcos, government services are first felt at the barangay level.

Marcos said programs at the barangay level are challenging, as leaders face limitations in funding, manpower, and other community needs. 

“However, you have proven that good governance is possible when the project’s objectives are clear, and the process for its implementation is honest,” he said. 

Among this year’s Galing Pook awardees are Barangay 57 Dap-dap, Legazpi City, for the revitalization of the Macabalo River; Barangay Balulang, Cagayan de Oro City, for their BUSkwela initiative that helps children get back to school; Barangay Blue Ridge B, Quezon City, for creating Street Camps, a system that prepares residents for earthquakes; and Barangay General Malvar, Santiago City, for their solar-power revolution program.

The President also recognized the urban gardens and palit-bote-para-sa-tinapay project of Barangay Daang Bakal, Mandaluyong City; the clearance-with-a-checklist program designed to increase community participation of Barangay Naggasican, Santiago City; the community justice garden of Barangay Pantal, Dagupan City; the sign language training of Barangay Tagas, Tabaco City; the Dungog Kariton project that aids conflict resolution of Barangay Poblacion, South Cotabato; and the rehabilitation of Tripa de Gallina spearheaded by Barangay San Isidro, Makati City.

Freshness of ideas main criteria

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 (DILG-LGA). 

Marcos emphasized the “freshness” of the ideas coming from the barangay level. 

“[It’s] very innovative. You really think of new ways to — to get our countrymen, the people, involved, not only in government, but also in our assistance to our countrymen,” he said.  

“This is a beautiful project. We, I can truly say, the new projects that you came up with, we didn’t think of for the national government. It really comes from the barangay,” he added. 

Marcos noted that even if local chiefs have different projects, the message and purpose remain the same: “If we help people who are in need, it presents a good change.”

The President added that honest and proper governance not only exists in the national government but in the basic unit of governance. 

“When the government process is transparent, the trust of our countrymen grows; when there is accountability, the respect of the people increases; and whenever we prioritize the welfare of the people, the development of our homeland follows,” he said.  Richbon Quevedo and Lade Jean Kabagani

“This is the culture we want to spread in government, this is the public service that the community should feel: honest, open, and have direction,” he added. 

Marcos aims to replicate initiatives originating from barangays at the national level, particularly to learn which programs work and what makes services efficient, transparent, and participatory.