The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) 7 (Central Visayas) has lauded Negros Oriental for recognizing those that excel in local governance through the Timbayayong Award for Outstanding Local Government Unit and Non-Government Organization/People’s Organization Partnership.

“(It is a) good practice to recognize those who excel in local governance and a strong collaboration between the CSOs (civil society organizations) and NGOs (non-government organizations),” DILG-7 Director Leocadio Trovela said during the recognition of this year’s winners held here Thursday.

The Negros Oriental Network of NGOs and People’s Organizations (POs), headed by its president Albert Aquino, is spearheading the Timbayayong Award, which is now on its 15th year of establishing a strong partnership between the local government units and POs for the joint implementation of development projects.

Trovela noted that the award program is worthy of replication as it “truly captures the intention of the provincial government of Negros (Oriental) for more inclusive local governance.”

The winners of the 2021 Timbayayong Award and their project fund prizes are the municipality of Mabinay and the Kapunungan sa mga Ata ug Mag-uuma sa Cangohob, grand winner, which received PHP500,000; Canlaon City and the Unified Women Organization of Canlaon City, 1st runner-up, PHP350,000; and the municipality of Dauin and the Baslay Highland Agriculture Cooperative, PHP200,000. They also received a plaque of recognition.

Consolation prize winners that each received a plaque and a PHP75,000 project fund are the municipality of Bindoy and the Tuburan for Rural Women Empowerment and Development; and the municipality of Sibulan and the Calabnogan Small Coconut Farmers Association. (PNA)