By HENRY EMPEÑO

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT — The best performing Sangguniang Bayan in Zambales received recognition and cash awards totaling some P2 million, as the provincial government launched its local legislative awards and acknowledged the crucial role of town councils in community development and good governance.

Governor Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. handed out the awards during a gala event at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center (SBECC) here on Friday, and praised local legislators for demonstrating good practices, enhancing service delivery, shaping communities through economic development, and creating an enabling environment for business and job creation.

“All these contribute to achieving our long-term vision for our province and for the nation,” Ebdane said in his tribute.

A total of 16 awards were given to outstanding town councils following an assessment of their performance from 2019 to 2022. The review was conducted last August 7 to 24 by the Zambales office of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).

The best performers among the 13 Zambales town councils received the ZEAL awards consisting of a plaque of recognition and cash prize. These are the Sangguniang Bayan (SB) of Masinloc, the 4th Best Performing Local Sanggunian in the category of 1st to 3rd-class municipalities, P100,000 cash; Castillejos SB, 3rd best performer in the 1st-3rd class category, P200,000; and Iba SB, 2nd best performer 1st-3rd class category, P300,000.

Meanwhile, San Felipe SB was cited as Most Outstanding Local Sanggunian for 4th-6th Class Municipalities Category and won P400,000 cash, while the Most Outstanding Local Sanggunian for 1st-3rd Class Municipalities Category went to Subic SB, also for P400,000.

The awards committee headed by DILG provincial director Martin Porres Moral likewise handed out special awards to town councils with specific exemplary performances.

Castillejos SB and San Marcelino SB won the “Malasakit” Pillar Award for creating ordinances and resolutions concerning gender and development and vulnerable groups; Subic SB was named Most Effective Sangguniang Bayan; Iba SB got the ‘Pagbabago’ Pillar Award, for displaying the highest number of legislative actions that emphasize change and transformation; and San Marcelino SB was Most Noteworthy Innovative SB, for having the most effective mechanisms for legislative processes.

Iba SB received “Patuloy na Pag-Unlad” Award with the greatest number of ordinances and resolutions that promote increased potential growth; Subic SB was Best in Records Management; Palauig SB had the Best Legislative Office Set-up; while Castillejos SB had the Most Responsive Legislative Agenda.

Masinloc SB also won the “Maagap” Award for adhering to the required timeline in the submission of ordinances and resolutions to the higher sanggunian and acting upon those submitted by the lower sanggunian; Subic had the Most Efficient SB; and Masinloc SB had the Most Empowered Legislative Staff.

With the ZEAL awards, Ebdane said his administration hopes to achieve his vision for a first-class province that is driven by inclusive growth, sustainable development, and effective good governance resulting in community empowerment and self-reliance among Zambaleños.

“We need to see more forward-thinking, responsive, and competent local legislators as our staunch partners in effecting developmental and transformational change in our province,” the governor reminded Sanggunian members.

Among those who helped Ebdane hand out the awards were DILG Provincial Director Martin Porres Moral; Iba Vice Mayor Joan D. Ballesteros, president of the Zambales Vice Mayors’ League; San Narciso Councilor Peter Lim, president of the Zambales Councilors’ League; Vice Governor Jacqueline Khonghun; Mayor Jeffrey Khonghun, president of the Zambales Mayors’ League; and members of the Zambales provincial board. 