By Connie B. Destura
PASAY CITY, Aug. 30 (PNA) — At least 7,000 representatives of various local government units, schools, non-government organizations and civil society organizations joined the Galing Pook Unity Walk here at 6:00 a.m. Sunday around the SM Mall of Asia complex.
About 200 Albayanos composing the Team Albay and headed by Governor Joey Sarte Salceda came all the way from the province, travelling by land the whole night, and arrived in time for the event.
The Unity Walk has for its theme “Mamamayan, Mamamayani.”
The Province of Albay’s Team Albay Humanitarian Assistance Program is vying for No. 1 in the Galing Pook Awards.
The Albayanos are positive that they will win the Award after the full-force support they have given to the governor.
There will be a presentation of the finalists’ entries, after they they face a panel of interviewers on Aug. 31.
The awarding and cultural night will be on Sept. 1.
The finalists in the awards are composed of various groups from the country’s provinces who set examples in implementing key projects and initiatives for the betterment of their respective citizens.
The Galing Pook Awards is a pioneering program that recognizes innovations and excellence in local governance which started in 1993 under the joint initiative of the Local Government Academy, Department of Interior and Local Goverment, the Ford Foundation and other advocates of good governance from the academe, civil society and the government.
Winners are chosen each year from a wide array of programs from the local governments after undergoing a rigorous multi-level screening process.
The winning programs are selected based on positive results and impact, promotion of people’s participation and empowerment, innovation and efficiency of program service delivery. (PNA)