Best practice
 22 April 2008

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Last Friday, I was in Iloilo for the awarding ceremonies of the Best Public Sector Projects in Western Visayas, or Region 6.

This is just the second time the awards will be given since 2006, when it was first conceptualized.

Hardly in a position to say no to Governor Sally Perez of Antique, chairman of the Regional Development Council (RDC 6), which originated the Award, we hied off to the spanking new Iloilo Airport early in the evening of Thursday, breezing through its world-class amenities. This airport is one of our priority infrastructure projects completed just recently.

The awards and recognition were to be given in three categories: Local Government Units, Regional Line Agencies and State Universities and Colleges. Three winning entries were picked for each category, as well as three Runners Up for each category.

Governor Sally Perez said the programs and projects are chosen for their bigger impact and more direct contributions to local and national development objectives and targets.

As many as 109 entries were screened in April, 2007, reduced to a short-list of 49 in January, 2008, and down to a final list of 17 by February this year.

If notable and worthy projects in the private sector were being given honor and recognition, the RDC explained, it was equally the due of public sector projects to be given honor.

The RDC’s partner in the project is the Canadian Urban Institute, represented at the ceremonies by Francis Gentoral, Regional Manager. In paying tribute to the winners and awardees, Mr. Gentoral said "their stories prove that government works, even with limited resources and in spite of discordant politics." One could only wish there were more out there who would hear that message of CUI.

The other partner to the project is the German Technical Cooperation (GTZ), which supported the screening and validation of the projects.

The winning-entries were:

Local Government Units – 1ST Place: Bacolod Information Technology Investment Program (Bacolod City), 2nd Place: Marine Engine Swap to Reforestation Project (Province of Negros Occidental), and 3rd Place: Guisi Community-Based Heritage Tourism Project (Province of Guimaras).

Regional Line Agencies – 1st Place: Comprehensive Marketing Program for the Floriculture Industry of Capiz (Department of Trade and Industry VI), 2nd Place: Rehabilitation of Aganan River Irrigation System and Enhancement of Agricultural Support Service (National Irrigation Administration VI), and 3rd Place: Small Enterprises Technology Upgrading Program (Department of Science and Technology VI).

The roster of winners reflects not only the regional priorities but our national programs as well — food security, health, entrepreneurship, job generation, training, infrastructure, etc.

Among the luminaries at the awarding ceremonies were Gov. Niel Tupas of Iloilo and Gov. Felipe Nava of Guimaras; Mayors Bing Leonardia of Bacolod City, Raul Tupas of Barotac Viejo, and Elizer Chavez of PASSI. Dignitaries from the Japanese and Canadian Embassies were also there, including a host of other LGU representatives.

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