SUBIC BAY FREEPORT — The Zambales provincial government bestowed well-deserved recognition to local legislative bodies here on October 14 with the presentation of this year’s Zambales Exemplary Achievements as Legislators (ZEAL) Awards for transformative legislation and service.

The awards honored local Sangguniang Bayan that produced socially-relevant legislations and programs that promoted growth, efficient management, and effective public service for Zambaleños.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)-Zambales under OIC Provincial Director Melissa D. Nipal spearheaded the recognition rites, along with the local chapters of the Vice Mayors’ League of the Philippines (VMLP) and the Philippine Councilors League of the Philippines (PCL).

The top awards went to the following:

• Sangguniang Bayan ng Iba: Most Outstanding Local Sanggunian, 1st-3rd Class Municipalities Category

• Sangguniang Bayan ng Cabangan: Most Outstanding Local Sanggunian, 4th-6th Class Municipalities

• Sangguniang Bayan ng Masinloc: 1st Best Performing Local Sanggunian, 1st-3rd Class Municipalities

• Sangguniang Bayan ng Castillejos: 2nd Best Performing Local Sanggunian, 1st-3rd Class Municipalities

• Sangguniang Bayan ng Subic: 3rd Best Performing Local Sanggunian, 1st-3rd Class Municipalities

The ZEAL Awards also recognized exemplary achievements in various fields:

• Best in Records Management: Iba SB and Masinloc SB

• Most Efficient Sangguniang Bayan: Iba SB and Subic SB

• Most Effective Sangguniang Bayan: Iba SB, Castillejos SB, and Masinloc SB

• Human Capital Development Pillar: Masinloc SB

• Economic Transformation Pillar: San Antonio SB

• Infrastructure Development Pillar: Castillejos SB

• Climate and Disaster Resilience Pillar: San Marcelino SB

• Good Governance and Social Protection Pillar: Iba SB

• Most Functional Sangguniang Bayan Committees: Castillejos SB

• Most Empowered Legislative Staff: San Narciso SB

• Most Improved Sangguniang Bayan: Candelaria SB and Palauig SB

• ZEAL Timelines and Compliance Award: Masinloc SB and San Marcelino SB

• ZEAL Prompt Awardee: Santa Cruz SB

• Most Proactive Sangguniang Bayan: Botolan SB; and

• ZEAL Legislative Milestone Award: San Felipe SB

Gov. Hermogenes E. Ebdane Jr., who presented the awards to winners, underscored the need for cooperation among local government units in creating growth opportunities and building better communities.

“The true measure of successful leadership is collective action for a significant future. It is our role as leaders to inspire the people to see our vision, to believe and trust in what we do, and help build the community,” Ebdane pointed out.

“With the support of the people, we can further stimulate the spirit of community-belonging and create more opportunities for a better tomorrow,” the governor added.

This year’s ZEAL recognition carried the theme “Rising Leaders: Inspiring Zambales Legislators for Transformative Legislation and Service” and was held at the Travelers Hotel in the Subic Bay Freeport. Aside from recognition plaques, winners also received incentives ranging from P40,000 to P400,000.

In the event, DILG Assistant Regional Director Jay E. Timbreza also inducted into office the appointed members of the board of directors of PCL-Zambales Chapter. 

COVER PHOTO: Members of the Sangguniang Bayan of Iba, along with Gov. Ebdane, Mayor Irene Binan, Vice Mayor Joan Ballesteros, and other town officials, celebrate their victory as Most Outstanding Local Sanggunian Bayan in the 1st-3rdClass Municipalities Category