3 The Galing Pook 4 Galing Pook Hymn 5 A New Milestone 6 Good Governance in ARMM 7 Stronger and More Accountable LGUs 8 Inspiring LGUs to Improve Governance 9 Galing Pook in Mindanao 10 ARMM: Surmounting Governance Challenges 12 Bridge to Peace Municipality of Kapatagan, Lanao del Sur 14 From Conflict Management to Shared Governance Sulu Province 16 Tri-Partite Health Program for the Poor Southwestern Ligawasan Alliance of Municipalities 18 Integrated Solid Waste Management Muncipality of Wao, Lanao del Sur Galing Pook in ARMM 2010 20 Bringing Public Services Closer to the Poor Municipality of Sultan Mastura, Maguindanao 22 Administrative and Fiscal Reforms for Local Development Municipality of Bongao, Tawi-tawi 24 Better Education through Communtiy Action Municipality of Upi, Maguindanao 26 Stewardship for Watershed Development Municipality of Wao, Lanao del Sur 28 Galing Pook Awards ARMM Selection Committee 30 The Galing Pook Awards ARMM Trophy 31 Board of Trustees and Secretariat 2 • Galing Pook Awards - ARMM 2010 Disclaimer: This publication is made possible by the generous support of the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The contents are the responsibility of Galing Pook Foundation and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID, the United States Government, or The Asia Foundation.
Pook T he Galing Pook awards is a pioneering program that recognizes innovation and excellence in local governance. It started in October 21, 1993 under the joint initiative of the Local Government Academy-Department of the Interior and Local Government, the Ford Foundation, and other individual advocates of good governance from the academe, civil society and the government. The Galing Pook winners are chosen each year from a wide array of programs from 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, transferability and sustainability, and efficiency of program service delivery. For 2010, the Galing Pook Awards program sets in place a parallel equally prestigious formal recognition for innovation and excellence in local governance in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. This is a cooperative undertaking of the ARMM Regional Government, Galing Pook Foundation, Local Government Academy - Department of the Interior and Local Government and The Asia Foundation, with the support of the United States Agency for International Development. Beyond the awards, winning programs become models of good governance that are promoted for adoption in other communities. They will provide useful insights and strategies to find innovative solutions to common problems. More importantly, they serve as concrete examples of communities and local governments in their unique cultural milieu working to bring the good news of good governance that are actually happening in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. Vision We are a leading resource institution that promotes innovation, sustainability, citizen empowerment, and excellence in local governance. Mission We promote excellence in local governance through recognition, sharing of information and support of efforts to replicate best practices at the local level. We encourage partnerships among civil society organizations, private sector, and government agencies at local, national and global levels to improve quality of life. artners Par tners The winners for the Galing Pook Awards - ARMM are chosen from among the local governance programs exclusively in the ARMM areas after undergoing rigorous screening process based on positive results and impact, promotion of people’s participation and empowerment, innovation, transferability and sustainability, efficiency of program service delivery, and gender responsiveness. Cover Design, Layout and Main Articles by Allen M. Mariano • References supplied by LGUs • Photos by LGUs and Galing Pook File Photos • The artwork on the cover is printed with permission from the family of Dr. Abdulmari Asia Imao, Jr., National Artist Galing Pook Awards - ARMM 2010 • 3
music and lyrics by Gary Granada vocals: Gary Granada, Bayang Barrios, Noel Cabangon, Shane and Dave of Crazy as Pinoy, PETA kids, Luke Granada Ang aming adhikain Ay simple lang naman Sapat sa pangunahing Mga pangangailangan Saan mahahagilap Ang mga munting pangarap Makaigpaw sa hirap Maalwang hinaharap Sa punyagi at kusa Munting pamayanan Sa husay kinilala Umani ng karangalan Kayraming nagsasabing Ang galing galing daw namin Saan ba nanggagaling Ano ba’ng anting-anting? Simple lang yan Kaya mo yan, Bay! Sa malikhaing paraan, sa paraang malikhain Kasama ang mamamayan, mamamaya’y pagsamahin Pagbabago na lantad, lantad na pagbabago Tuluy-tuloy na pag-unlad, tuluy-tuloy na pag-asenso Sa dami ng balakid Sa dami ng hadlang Ang diwang nalulupig Nagtitiis na lang Ngunit huwag kang papayag Huwag kang pabubuway Tadhanang ating palad Nasa ating kamay Chorus counterpoint: Galing Pook.. Ang sabi ng iba, ang galing ng Pilipino Magaling na mang-isa, mandaraya, manloloko Ang sakit sa tenga, kahit di mo matanggap Ganyan daw talaga, yan ang sabi ng lahat Subalit doon sa aming mumunting komunidad Namayani ang maraming kabutihan ang hangad Pinaghusay ang lokal na gobyernong niluklok Pinagpala’t natanghal na isang Galing Pook! Ang sabi ng marami, Pilipino ay tamad Walang respeto sa sarili, dangal at dignidad Palakasang palasak, boto na nilalako Lider na nagbubuhat ng sarili ring bangko Di man maikakaila ay huwag nating lahatin Di mo rin maitatatwa, di man sukat akalain Magandang mga balita sa mga suluk-sulok Kayraming halimbawa ng mga Galing Pook Visit www.galingpook.org to download lyrics and music 4 • Galing Pook Awards - ARMM 2010
M y warmest congratulations to the eight outstanding local government units (LGU) that received the 2010 Galing Pook Awards in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Minadanao (ARMM) for their remarkable innovations and initiatives in good governance. As we give honor to the exemplarly performance of these LGUs, I cannot but admire them for their innovativeness and creativity in steering and managing their respective local governments to greater heights. Indeed, this is a milestone. The first ever Galing Pook Awards in ARMM signals a new dimension in the government’s effort to help ARMM improve its local government systems and procedures, especially the delivery of basic services to our people. I salute the winning LGUs for making a difference in the lives of our people. May they serve as models of excellence in local governance, as the Department of the Interior and Local Government pursues ways and means of building and strengthening the capabilities of local governments in the spirit of good governance and nation-building. Let me also commend our development partners from the private sector and civil society organizations for their combined efforts in helping us promote good local governance. Congratulations and Mabuhay! The first ever Galing Pook Awards in ARMM signals a new dimension in the government’s effort to help ARMM improve its local government systems and procedures, especially the delivery of basic services to our people. JESSE M. ROBREDO Secretary, DILG Galing Pook Awards - ARMM 2010 • 5
Good Governance in ARMM O utstanding local governance plays an integral role in the achievement of genuine peace and prosperity in the ARMM. Indeed, some of the causes of rebellion can be traced back to local governance. It is thus our conviction in the autonomous regional government that local governance in ARMM must be elevated further to a higher level. It is our aspiration that local government units in the ARMM would be participatory, consensus oriented, accountable, transparent, responsive, effective and efficient, equitable and inclusive and follows the rule of law. Good governance, by definition, assures that corruption is minimized, if not totally eliminated; that the views of minorities are taken into account and that the voices of the most vulnerable in society are heard in decision-making. We are hence hopeful that through the institution of the 2010 Galing Pook Awards – ARMM, the abovenoted characteristics would become more pronounced in our LGUs. We are optimistic that more would truly embrace good governance not only for mere recognition but for the lasting benefits it gives both to the governed and the leaders. As the winners of the 2010 Galing Pook Awards – ARMM amply demonstrate, LGUs in ARMM have stories to tell that are inspiring. They are sources of emulation for other LGUs. Governance may remain to be one big issue among LGUs and even with the regional government. But with the conferment of the recognition rightly deserve by yet several towns in the autonomous region, we believe that raising the level of local governance to universally accepted standards is now very much at hand. I therefore extend my warmest congratulations to the winners of the 2010 Galing Pook Awards – ARMM. We are also grateful to the Galing Pook Foundation for making the autonomous regional government as one of its strategic partners in its Outstanding Local Governance Program. It is our aspiration that local government units in the ARMM would be participatory, consensus oriented, accountable, transparent, responsive, effective and efficient, equitable and inclusive and follow the rule of law. ANSARUDDIN ALONTO ADIONG Acting Regional Governor, ARMM 6 • Galing Pook Awards - ARMM 2010
O n behalf of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID),I congratulate all the winners of the first GalingPook awards for the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). This special recognition attests that good governance is happening in the ARMM! The ARMM has vast potential. Local governments play a crucial role in changing conditions to unlock the region’s potential for economic progress and democratic stability. This exceptional cadre of local governments in the ARMM took on the reform challenge, and began their journey towards development for and with the citizens they serve. USAID is a staunch supporter of good governance worldwide. In the ARMM, we provide assistance in creating a favorable environment for effective decentralization, improving the ability and capacity of local governments to become better administrators, and strengthening mechanisms for transparency and citizen involvement. Our support to the Galing Pook special awards for the ARMM signifies USAID’s commitment to support stronger and more accountable local governments that work to ensure economic prosperity, social development, and peace in the region. We hope that the successful experiences of the first round of winners will inspire other ARMM local governments to explore innovations in the service of their citizens. We also congratulate the Galing Pook Foundation and The Asia Foundation for yet another endeavor to effectively promote decentralization in the Philippines. USAID is committed to support stronger and more accountable local governments that work to ensure economic prosperity, social development, and peace in the region GLORIA D. STEELE Mission Director, USAID Galing Pook Awards - ARMM 2010 • 7
Inspiring LGUs to Improve Governance Greetings of Peace! The Asia Foundation has for the past decade provided technical assistance to various local governments to address some of the needs of local governance in the Philippines, through the Transparent Accountable Governance (TAG) project, with support from the United States Agency for International Development. One of the project’s activities is the dissemination of exemplary practices in local governance, with the aim of promoting good local governance practices. In the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) we envision that this awards program will inspire excellent performance among local governments in the region. To achieve this objective, the Foundation partnered with the Galing Pook Foundation to promote innovations and excellence in governance in the ARMM. Through this partnership, Galing Pook’s well-respected awards mechanism at the national level is replicated in the ARMM to recognize initiatives and innovations that have helped improve local governance as well as community capacities, either in It is my hope that this first-ever Galing Pook Awards in ARMM will inspire other local governments to improve the quality of governance in their localities through sound policies and concrete actions from local officials. 8 • Galing Pook Awards - ARMM 2010 the form of a policy program, project, process, or organizational intervention. We want to recognize contributions to finding and implementing creative solutions to development needs and priorities in this region. It is my hope that this first-ever Galing Pook Awards in ARMM will inspire other local governments to improve the quality of governance in their localities through sound policies and concrete actions from local officials. I would like to congratulate the Galing Pook Foundation for successfully taking the lead in organizing this awards mechanism for ARMM. The active support of USAID, the DILG-ARMM, and project partners made these awards possible. May I also take this opportunity to congratulate the eight winners of the 2010 Galing Pook Awards in ARMM for proving that good governance in the ARMM is possible, and for showing the commitment to enhance democratic development in the Philippines. Sukran! STEVEN ROOD, Ph.D. Country Representative and Regional Advisor for Local Governance The Asia Foundation
Galing Pook in Mindanao I t is easy for non-Mindanaoans to give up on Mindanao, especially ARMM. But hope springs eternal, it is said, and can be contagious when enough good news emanate from the strife-torn South. For Galing Pook, this meant finding and showcasing stories of Mindanaoans – local government and constituents – working together for the common good; of local governments doing their job and doing it well. We thus sought out, and happily found, much to be optimistic about in ARMM. In Sulu, seemingly discordant interests were harmonized and institutional partnerships enhanced, thus allowing essential goodwill to prevail and community development and services to get through. Kapatagan in Lanao del Sur chose to seize and create every opportunity for both peace-building and building on peace instead of wasting valuable time on the question of which to start first. Four towns in Maguindanao – the Southwestern Ligawasan Alliance of Municipalities – formed a multi stakeholder health program for their poor constituents, establishing birthing clinics, health centers and local pharmacies. They promoted proper nutrition and local vegetable production, developed solid waste management systems and installed water and sanitation facilities. The town of Sultan Mastura, also in Maguindanao, brought services directly to the people through a team approach and efficient consolidation of available resources. They made the presence of government felt in their barangays by delivering vital health, education, livelihood and social services. Still farther south, Bongao in Tawi-tawi reformed their most basic administrative and fiscal systems, resulting in increases in local revenues and more investments in public facilities. Upi, also in Maguindanao, took a different tack to dramatically improve the quality of their children’s basic formal education. More than just parents, teachers and schools, the local government brought together stakeholders from all other sectors in the community and promoted participative education reform to improve Upi’s public education system. And in Wao, Lanao del Sur, we saw excellent cases of solid waste and watershed management. In the first program, they showed the effectiveness of correlating household and community discipline, local regulations, efficient collection and processing systems and revenue generation. For the second program, they provided a model on expanding forest cover and protecting water sources while increasing the watershed dwellers’ income. These fine examples of governance in ARMM boil down to the choices made by the people and their local officials. And like the LGU achievers that we honor in the 2010 Galing Pook Awards - ARMM, we choose to focus on the positive. We choose to be one with them in believing there is hope in enlightened local governments. Galing Pook is happy to present the good news from ARMM! These fine examples of governance in ARMM boil down to the choices made by the people and their local officials. Rafael L. Coscolluela Chairperson, Galing Pook Foundation Galing Pook Awards - ARMM 2010 • 9
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