By Rick P. Quiambao | December 23, 2025

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga (PIA) — The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) honored 19 local government units (LGUs) and the nationwide top 10 Seal of Good Local Governance Incentive Fund (SGLGIF) implementers for fiscal year 2024 during the 2025 Central Luzon SubayBAYANI Awards and Infrastructure Governance Expo.

Held on December 10 at the Royce Hotel in the Clark Freeport Zone, the SubayBAYANI Awards, a DILG recognition program, celebrate LGUs that demonstrate participatory governance, citizen engagement, and transparent implementation of local infrastructure projects.

DILG Office of Project Development Services Director Alfonso Maralli Jr. emphasized that the awards send a strong message that integrity remains crucial in public service.

“Amid growing concerns over corruption, misuse of funds, and ghost projects that erode trust in government, the SubayBAYANI Awards stand as a testament to what good local infrastructure governance truly looks like. It shows that leaders who uphold honesty and accountability continue to deliver meaningful projects for their constituents,” he said. 

DILG Regional Director Araceli San Jose described the ceremony as timely and meaningful, noting that it shows integrity in governance remains alive and thriving in Central Luzon.

“While corruption remains a national challenge, some local governments have chosen a different path, the path of accountability, transparency, and genuine service,” she said.

San Jose added that the awardees demonstrated that public funds can be managed responsibly, producing projects that are not only compliant on paper but also valuable and impactful for communities.

Special plaques of recognition were conferred on the Top 10 LGUs in the Philippines that successfully completed the implementation of their FY 2024 SGLGIF projects.

These are ranked as follows: 1st, Apalit, Pampanga; 2nd, Bagac, Bataan; 3rd, Santa Maria, Bulacan; 4th, Paombong, Bulacan; 5th, Minalin, Pampanga; 6th, San Marcelino, Zambales; 7th, Pilar, Bataan; 8th, Moncada, Tarlac; 9th, San Felipe, Zambales; and 10th, Gabaldon, Nueva Ecija.

Meanwhile, 19 LGUs were awarded as 2025 Central Luzon SubayBAYANI LGU Exemplars for showcasing infrastructure projects that embody transparency, efficiency, and strong community impact.

 These are Maria Aurora, Dinalungan, and Baler in Aurora; City of Balanga in Bataan; San Jose del Monte City, Hagonoy, Malolos, Pulilan, and Obando in Bulacan; Gabaldon in Nueva Ecija; Arayat, Candaba, Minalin, and Santo Tomas in Pampanga; San Clemente and Pura in Tarlac; and Masinloc, Candelaria, and San Marcelino in Zambales.

The awards also recognized the exemplary performance of DILG field officers and partner agencies, whose collaboration with LGUs strengthened institutional capacities and improved infrastructure project delivery across Central Luzon.

Through the recognitions, DILG reinforced the shared responsibility of building resilient, inclusive, and accountable local governments. (CLJD/RPQ, PIA Region 3-Pampanga)