CARAGA- The provincial/municipal local government units (P/MLGUs) of Surigao del Sur and Tubod, Surigao del Norte respectively receive on January 23, 2015 at AIM Conference Center, Makati City accolades in the first ever bayanI ka! awards of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

The bayanI ka! awards is an initiative of the national program management office (NPMO) of the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services-National Community-Driven Development Program (KALAHI CIDSS-NCDDP). Such recognition seeks not only to distinguish the contribution of the Program’s supporters but also to identify the Program’s champions who will help in promoting the gains of the CDD-implemented projects to their respective circles.

The nominations and validations from the field offices of the Department ran from September-November 2014.

Recognized for advocating the CDD strategy and its participatory, transparency, and accountability principles, the PLGU of Surigao del Sur under the leadership of Governor Johnny T. Pimentel is the national awardee for the special award on improved local governance (PLGU category).

Meanwhile, the MLGU of Tubod led by Mayor Cristina Hemady R. Arcillas is hailed as the national awardee for the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (MLGU) category.

Both LGUs received a plaque of recognition and a check amounting to Php10,000 for their awards.

Graced by Honorable Secretary Corazon J. Soliman, the said event was attended by the key DSWD officials, members of the NPMO of KALAHI CIDSS-NCDDP, regional directors, assistant regional directors, and other awardees. It also served as the culminating activity for the national unified regional program review and evaluation workshop.

During the event, Governor Pimentel also gave a testimonial/message about the experience of Surigao del Sur in implementing the KALAHI CIDSS-NCDDP, then Kalahi-CIDSS project.

Regional Director Minda B. Brigoli and Assistant Regional Director for Operations Mita G. Lim, escorted the awardees during the awards day.

To be conducted annually, the “Bayani Ka!” award purposes to show what CDD essentially does which is raising local, everyday heroes who are willing to put their communities (“bayan”) before their own selves (“I). ###(Social Marketing Unit/DSWD Field Office Caraga)