The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Central Luzon cited 42 barangays from the province of Zambales for the 2025 BEST Barangay Regional Award held at the Baguio City Convention Center on 18 February 2026.

According to the Provincial Government, the Building Excellence in Service and Transparency (BEST) Barangay Program is a performance-based initiative of DILG Central Luzon. The event was held alongside the Liga ng mga Barangay Convention 2026.

DILG Central Luzon Regional Director Araceli A. San Jose, DILG-Zambales Assistant Provincial Director Melissa D. Nipal, and LNB Zambales Board Member Nestor E. Pacheco led the awarding for the 42 barangays.

The barangays of the towns of Subic, Castillejos, San Marcelino, San Antonio, Iba, Candelaria, Masinloc, and Sta. Cruz won the award, a testament to their strong belief in accountability, transparency, and quality public service.

Governor Hermogenes E. Ebdane Jr. lauded the barangays that received the 2025 BEST Barangay Regional Award, adding that the awards show these local government units provide the highest quality of service for the Zambaleños.