by:LGOO V Genevieve A. Calimag
October 31, 2014 - The Department of the Interior and Local Government Regional Office No. 2 believes that the Local Government Units are the foundation for the development of the nation. This prompted the DILG Region 02 to continuously devise activities that will encourage the local officials to perform their mandated duties and responsibilities with utmost efficiency and diligence and for barangay-based workers, the spirit of volunteerism, In line with this, the Department institutionalized the LGU Incentives and Awards program to give due recognition to local officials who have sown extraordinary performance in local governance.
For CY 2014, the LGU Incentives and Awards program included the Search for Most Outstanding Barangay Public Information Assistance Center, Anti Red Tape Implementer at all levels; Barangay Tanod, Barangay Peace and Order Committee, Lupong Tagapamayapa; and Most Outstanding Barangay, Barangay Executive, Sangguniang Barangay, Barangay Treasurer and Barangay Secretary or BESTS.
The Recognition Rites for the various search awards were simultaneously held on 30 October 2014 at the University of Saint Louis (USL) Gymnasium, Tuguegarao City, Cagayan to culminate the 23rd Anniversary celebration of the Local Government Code.
The Keynote Speakers were Secretary Manuel N. Mamba represented by Atty. Maria Rosario Mamba-Villaflor and BLGS Director Manuel Q. Gotis.
The activity with a barrio fiesta theme lasted for three hours and was attended by an overflow crowd of about 750 people comprised of local officials and functionaries, awardees, guests and visitors from regional line agencies, academe, media and other institutions.
Provincial and municipal officials present from the Provinces of Cagayan, Isabela, Quirino and Nueva Vizcaya excitedly joined their respective barangay officials in receiving their awards. Regional finalists under individual and team categories were conferred Certificates and Plaques of recognition and cash prize.
A total of 281,000.00 was allocated to cover cash awards. The incentivized LGU Search Awards added prestige to the activity and heightened commitment of officials to support to the program.
