Galing Pook @30: Governance Fair on Inclusive and Gender-Responsive Governance
MANILA CITY, PHILIPPINES — The Galing Pook @30: Governance Fair on Inclusive and Gender-Responsive Governance, held on February 24, 2025, marked a significant milestone in the Galing Pook Foundation’s three decades of advancing innovative, inclusive, and people-centered local governance in the Philippines. The event convened local government leaders, national government agencies, development partners, academic institutions, and civil society advocates in a vibrant platform for dialogue, learning, and reflection on the legacy, impact, and future direction of the Galing Pook Awards.
The Governance Fair opened with welcoming remarks from Mel Senen Sarmiento, Chairperson of the Galing Pook Foundation, who underscored the importance of sustainability, institutional memory, and long-term partnerships in sustaining good governance initiatives across political transitions. He expressed his deep appreciation for the Embassy of Canada’s continued support, highlighting how international partnerships have played a crucial role in ensuring the continuity and evolution of the Galing Pook program across successive administrations. His remarks set the tone for the day’s discussions by emphasizing resilience, inclusivity, and collaboration as core principles of effective governance.
Also delivering opening remarks was Jon Paulo V. Salvahan, Undersecretary for Plans and Programs of the Department of the Interior and Local Government. He encouraged local government units to actively pursue innovative and sustainable practices that respond to the evolving needs of their communities. He emphasized the role of LGUs as laboratories of innovation and stressed the importance of scaling up and institutionalizing good practices that promote inclusive development and gender responsiveness at the local level.
The first panel discussion, titled Local-National Dialogue on Inclusive and Gender-Responsive Governance, provided a multi-level perspective on how national policies and local initiatives can work together to advance gender equality and social inclusion. The panel featured Mayor Mary Jean N. Te of Libertad, Antique, also the founder of the Fish Forever Savings Club, Enp. Ma. Bianca D. Perez, Head of the Quezon City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, Amenah F. Pangandaman, Secretary of the Department of Budget and Management, Richard L. Villacorte, Project Manager of the DILG Support for the Local Governance Program, and Dr. Francisco Magno, Director of the De La Salle University Jesse M. Robredo Institute of Governance.
IN PHOTOS (L-R): Project Manager of DILG-SLGP Mr. Richard Villafuerte, QC DRRMO Head Ms. Bianca Perez, Libertad, Antique Mayor Jean Te, and JRIG Director Dr. Francisco Magno after the first panel session for Galing Pook @ 30.
In his remarks, Dr. Magno highlighted the critical contributions of women leaders and frontline workers in driving innovative local governance initiatives. He emphasized how gender-inclusive programs implemented by LGUs have improved service delivery and strengthened community resilience. He also stressed the importance of accountability and transparency among government administrators, particularly in aligning local initiatives with the Sustainable Development Goals and ensuring that inclusivity is translated into measurable outcomes.
The second panel discussion focused on the Replication of Galing Pook Awarded Programs, underscoring how award-winning innovations can be adapted and scaled across different local contexts. This session was led by Mayor Weslie T. Gatchalian of Valenzuela City and Dr. Lizan E. Perante-Calina, Dean of the Development Academy of the Philippines Graduate School of Public and Development Management. Mayor Gatchalian shared Valenzuela City’s experience in institutionalizing child protection initiatives, detailing the policies and partnerships that enabled the city to be recognized as the world’s first pathfinding city to end violence against children. The discussion highlighted the importance of political will, data-driven decision-making, and cross-sector collaboration in replicating successful governance models.
The final panel featured a forum among Galing Pook partners, emphasizing the role of multi-stakeholder collaboration in sustaining good governance reforms. The discussion was led by Myn Garcia, Deputy Country Representative of The Asia Foundation, Ronaldo R. Averion, Department Manager of the Land Bank of the Philippines Programs Management Department II, and Thelma T. Vecina, Executive Director of the Local Government Academy. Panelists reflected on partnership strategies, capacity-building initiatives, and financing mechanisms that support local governments in adopting and sustaining innovative programs.
The Galing Pook @30: Governance Fair concluded with closing remarks from Dr. Alex B. Brillantes Jr., Secretary-General of the Eastern Regional Organization for Public Administration. He reflected on the enduring relevance of the Galing Pook Awards in strengthening democratic governance and encouraged continued commitment to learning, innovation, and inclusivity in public service. The event reaffirmed Galing Pook’s role as a catalyst for good governance and a platform for recognizing and amplifying transformative local initiatives across the country.