CITY OF MALOLOS – Environment protection and conservation should not be neglected, thus the barangays who participated in the 22nd Gawad Galing Barangay submitted entries that push for the preservation not only of the environment but of nature as well.
Five outstanding barangays were chosen and awarded the Natatanging Gawaing Pambarangay including “Barangay Tarcan! Sagip Kalikasan #TodoTodongKitaNgMamamayan” of Tarcan, City of Baliwag; “Bantay/Linis Sapa Program of Lolomboy, Bocaue; “Community Garden/Gulayan Sa Barangay (Balai Luntian)” of Bulihan, Plaridel; “MRF Noon, MRF Ngayon, Mala-Paraiso Sa Tanawin” of Caingin, City of Malolos; and “Pagtalima sa Responsableng Pamamahala sa Basura” of San Isidro II, Paombong. Each received P200,000 and a plaque of recognition.
Also, “Kalusugan ay Kayamanan, Haligi ng Pamayanan” of Loma de Gato, Marilao; “Bayanihan sa Kalinisan Tulay Tungo sa Magandang Kinabukasan” of Bagong Nayon, City of Baliwag; and “Luntiang Kapaligiran, Mag-recycle para sa Kalikasan” of Tambubong, San Rafael were granted with the Trailblazer Award and received P50,000 each and plaque of recognition.
In addition, Brgy. Captain Ariel F. Cabingao from Tarcan, Baliwag was hailed as the Natatanging Punong Barangay and took home P50,000 and a plaque of recognition; Eric A. Caratao of Pinaod, San Ildefonso for Natatanging Kagawad ng Barangay; Barangay Secretary Jessie P. Gata of Balatong A, Pulilan as the Natatanging Kalihim; and Jovito DJ. Calalang of Panducot, Calumpit for Natatanging Ingat-Yaman. They received P20,000 and plaque of recognition each.
For the Natatanging Volunteer Workers, the winners are as follows: Jenalyn A. Serdeña of Caingin, City of Meycauayan – Natatanging Mother Leader; Imelda V. Lopez of San Jose, Paombong – Natatanging Lingkod Lingap sa Nayon; Myrna C. Borata of Paradise III, City of San Jose Del Monte – Natatanging Barangay Health Worker; and Rosalia A. Ortega of Pulong Gubat, Guiguinto – Natatanging Barangay Training and Employment Coordinator. Each of them received P20,000 and a plaque of recognition.
Meanwhile, the Pinagkaisang Lakas ng Kababaihan (PILAK) of Bunsuran 1st, Pandi was hailed as the Natatanging Volunteer Group and received the Hall of Fame Award with P50,000 and a plaque of recognition.
Also, Josefa P. Cruz of Pinagbarilan, City of Baliwag was given the certificate of appreciation for being the only one finalist for Natatanging Barangay Tanod.
The awarding ceremony held at The Pavilion in Hiyas ng Bulacan Convention Center here was attended by Department of National Defense Secretary Gilbert C. Teodoro, Jr. represented by USec. Angelito de Leon, Vice Gov. Alexis C. Castro, Cong. Lorna C. Silverio, Obando Mayor Leonardo DC. Valeda, Guiguinto Mayor Agatha Paula A. Cruz, PCOL Relly B. Arnedo of Bulacan Police Provincial Office and Board Members Ramilito B. Capistrano, Cezar L. Mendoza, Romina D. Fermin, Raul Mariano, Renato DL. de Guzman, Jr., Allan Dale DC. Baluyut, Lee Edward V. Nicolas, Romeo V. Castro, Jr., and William R. Villarica.
In his message delivered by De Leon, Teodoro challenged the attendees specially the winners to continue to serve for the betterment of their constituents and of the province.
“Isa ang Bulacan sa mga natatanging probinsiya ng Pilipinas bilang tahanan ng unang republika ng Pilipinas at saksi sa mga mahahalagang yugto ng kasaysayan ng ating bansa, malaki ang kontribusyon ng mga Bulakenyo sa ating nakaraan ngunit lalo na sa ating tatahaking kinabukasan. Kaya naman para sa mga nagwagi sa GGB ngayong taon, nawa’y patuloy ninyong ginamit ang kahusayan, serbisyo, pagtutulungan at pagkakaisa upang mas mapaunlad ang pinakamamahal nating Bulacan. Nawa’y ang parangal na ito ay maging binhi na inyo pang mapauusbong sa mga darating na panahon. Saludo kami sa inyong pagsusumikap na magbigay ng epektibong solusyon sa mga suliranin at hamon ng inyong komunidad,” the secretary of defense said.
GGB is a project under the Bulacan Awards Program for Barangay Innovation and Excellence (BAPBIE) of the Provincial Government of Bulacan through the Provincial Planning and Development Office that aims to recognize the contribution of barangays in the development of the province.