Bataan reaps GAPAS award 2016

CITY of BALANGA, Bataan – The province of Bataan took center stage yesterday, January 28 as Governor Albert S. Garcia and Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer, Mrs. Marilyn C. Tigas received the much coveted GAPAS (GAwad sa PAglilingkod sa Sambayanan) Award for being adjudged as the Model Local Government Unit Implementing DSWD Programs and Projects, nationwide.

The awarding ceremony, dubbed “PaNata Ko sa Bayan” or “PAgkilala sa NATAtanging KOntribusyon sa Bayan” awards, coincided with the celebration of DSWD’s 65th founding anniversary, held at the Conference Hall of the Asian Institute of Management in the City of Makati.

According to DSWD Undersecretary for Policy and Plans Florita R. Villar, who is herself a true blue Bataeña, “two things that make this award really significant are: first this is the category where there were eight (8) nominees, compared to the other categories where there were only 3 or 4; second is the nature of the award itself where all DSWD programs and projects being implemented underwent rigid review and evaluation. Winning under this category means consistent hardwork, dedication and perseverance to name a few. Our province bested the municipalities of Asilo, Ifugao; Paracella, Mt. Province; Divilacan, Isabela; Maconacon, Isabela; Sanchez Mira, Cagayan; Santiago City, Isabela; and Alicia, Isabela.

With the theme, Mga Kwentong Tagumpay Tungo sa Masaganang Pagbabago, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) likewise conferred awards to international development partners/donors, corporate institutions, individual and group volunteers, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and other stakeholders that have been contributing to the advancement of the agency’s various programs.

A Mariveles based nongovernment organization (NGO), the SOS Children’s Village also received a plaque and cash prize for being adjudged the Best NGO under the Salamat Po Award category.

Other awardees from Region 3 are the Municipalities of Jaen, Nueva Ecija for the Gawad Listahan and Florida Blanca, Pampanga for the Model LGU Implementing Day Care Services.

In her closing remarks, DSWD Secretary Dinky Soliman, rallied the awardees and her colleagues in public service to continue working together, converging talents, resources and energy towards breaking the cycle of poverty; alleviating the lives of the people, above the poverty line – into improved well being in a sustained manner.

Our dashing Gov. Abet who once again proved to be the most sought after celebrity of the night in terms of the number of ladies posing for a photo with him, was visibly proud and appreciative of the Province’s latest addition to its numerous citations from prestigious award giving bodies.

Before the night of celebration ended, Gov. Abet congratulated the PSWDO Bataan staff for a job well done but also posed a challenge – get more awards next year!

The governor also said he will be bringing home the plaque to show it to his father, Bataan’s 2nd District Congressman, Enrique Garcia Jr. Initially, one would think that it was a typical gesture of a son, making his father proud of his achievement, but no. He said, since the award was based on the Province’s performance covering the period 2012 to 2015, the award is also his father’s, being his predecessor.