Good governance, key to peaceful and progressive communities

MALOLOS CITY, BULACAN (10 December 2019) — Presidential Peace Adviser Carlito G. Galvez Jr. underscored that good governance should be among the foundations of a peaceful and progressive nation.

“Naniniwala po kami na bilang mga frontliners ng komunidad, ang good governance ang susi sa pagtugon sa mga isyu sa komunidad at kabuhayan,” Galvez said in his keynote message during the “Gawad Galing Barangay 2019” held today in this city.

“Sapagkat ang maayos at tapat na paglilingkod ng mga kawani ng gobyerno – mula sa pinakataas hanggang sa barangay – ay magsisilbing pundasyon ng isang mapayapa at progresibong bansa,” he pointed out.

(As front liners of your communities, we believe that good governance is key in resolving issues in your communities and livelihood. The honest service of government employees from the highest level down to the barangays will serve as the foundation of a peaceful and progressive nation.)

The Gawad Galing Barangay is a competition spearheaded by the Provincial Government of Bulacan, which aims to both showcase and recognize the best governance practices of barangays in the province.

The award has three categories: 1) Parangal sa Natatanging Gawaing Pambarangay; 2) Parangal sa mga Natatanging Lingkod Barangay; and 3) Parangal sa mga Natatanging Volunteer Workers at Volunteer Groups.

Chairperson Ryan P. Espiritu of Brgy. Poblacion, Pulilan, bagged the “Natatanging Punong Barangay” award. He launched an anti-drug advocacy program dubbed, ‘Katiwasayan at Kaayusan at Kalikasan at Kapaligiran.’

The innovative program encourages residents to become health and environmental advocates, and at the same time, help barangay officials maintain peace and order and join the crusade against illegal substance abuse.

The Parangal sa Natatanging Gawaing Pambarangay award went to: ‘Tara Na Tarcan Tungo sa Malinis na Kapaligiran’ of Barangay Tarcan, Baliwag; ‘Mabuting Pamamahala’ of Barangay Caingin, Malolos City and Barangay Tibig, Bulakan; and “Luntiang Kapaligiran Para sa Malusog na Pamayanan”: Bio Intensive Organic Gardening of Barangay Basuit, San Ildefonso.

Meanwhile, the ‘Buklod Lingap Foundation of Bulacan, Inc.’ of Barangay Sta. Barbara, Baliwag won the categories for best volunteer workers and volunteer groups.

“Nawa’y ang mga nakatanggap ng parangal sa araw na ito ay magsilbing inspirasyon sa ating lahat. Sa mga kawani at opisyal ng barangay sa buong bansa, nawa’y gawin nila ang kanilang mga trabaho ng mahusay at gamitin ang kanilang mga posisyon upang paunlarin at panatilihin ang katahimikan sa kanilang mga komunidad,” Galvez said.

(I hope that our awardees today will serve as an inspiration to everyone. It is our hope that barangay workers and officials throughout the nation will do their best to perform their duties and to use their positions to help maintain peace and order in your communities.)

“Bilang isang Bulakenyo, ako po ay nandito para suportahan kayo (As a fellow Bulakenyo, I am here to support you.),” he said.

Galvez, who hails from Bustos, Bulacan, was appointed by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte as the Cabinet Officer for Regional Development and Security (CORDS) for Region III.

Under Executive Order No. 70, the CORDS serves as a mechanism of the national government to strengthen the implementation of anti-insurgency efforts throughout the country.

At the same event, Bulacan Governor Daniel Fernando noted that the main role of barangay local government units is to ensure that much-needed government services are provided to residents in a timely, efficient and responsive manner.

“Kayo (barangay workers) ang mga lingkod na abot-kamay ng ating mga kababayan. Kayo po ang unang hanay ng depensa sa anumang panganib, sa pag-lunas sa may karamdaman, at takbuhan sa ano mang pangangailangan,” Fernando said.

(You are the government workers who our most accessible to our countrymen. You are the first line of defense during trying times, and attend to the sick and other needs of your constituents.)

“Hindi po matatawaran nino man ang inyong gampanin para sa kabutihan ng ating pamayanan (Nothing compares to your crucial roles in making sure that the well-being of our communities is achieved.),” he said.

A plaque of appreciation was awarded to Galvez for keynoting the event.