THE Provincial Government of Negros Occidental has unveiled the signage of the 2021 Galing Pook award it earlier received for its coastal wetlands conservation efforts.
Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, who led the unveiling rites at the Provincial Capitol Lobby in Bacolod City on Wednesday, February 9, said he is honored to accept the Galing Pook signage and proud of the acknowledgment of good governance.
The Galing Pook Award is given to exemplary local government units (LGUs) that have implemented programs that achieved positive results and impact, and empowered communities and efficient program service delivery.
Last year, Negros Occidental was recognized as one of the Top 10 winners of the Galing Pook Awards for its entry "Network of Alliances for Coastal Wetlands Conservation" by the Negros Occidental Coastal Wetlands Area Management Alliance (Nocwama).
Nocwama was declared as the seventh Ramsar Site Wetland of International Importance of the Philippines on October 20, 2016 and the fourth East Asian Australasian Flyway Site.
The program, which started in 2015, harmonizes the implementation of programs and policies through local and international linkages for sustainable management of coastal wetlands and enhanced productivity towards socio-economic growth.
Lacson attributed the victory to all the members of Nocwama, local chief executives of 10-member-LGUs composed of the cities of Bago, Himamaylan, and Kabankalan, and the municipalities of Pulupandan, Valladolid, Pontevedra, San Enrique, Hinigaran, Binalbagan, and Ilog, government agencies, non-government organizations, the academe, and everyone who became part of the alliance.
The governor also thanked the Galing Pook Foundation for its effort in promoting innovation, sustainability, citizen empowerment, and excellence in local governance.
The 2021 Galing Pook Awards was presented by the Galing Pook Foundation, Department of the Interior and Local Government-Local Government Academy, and SM Prime Holdings.
Also present at the activity were Board Member Andrew Montelibano, chairman of the Provincial Board Committee on Environment; Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz II; Provincial Consultant for Energy and Environment Affairs Rafael Cosculluela; Provincial Environment Management Office head Julie Ann Bedrio; Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer Edgardo Rostata; Dr. Jose Rene Gayo of Galing Pook Awards; and SM City Bacolod Mall Manager George Anthony Jardiolin, among others. (With Capitol reports)