The prestigious Salamat Excellence Award for Leadership (SEAL) trophies given to top performing local chief executives in BARMM during the 4th Pagkilala awarding ceremony at the Shariff Kabunsuan Cultural Complex in Cotabato City on January 25, 2024.
COTABATO CITY—Four (4) local chief executives (LCEs) in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) were honored with the prestigious Salamat Excellence Award for Leadership (SEAL) during the 4th Pagkilala awarding ceremony at the Shariff Kabunsuan Cultural Complex in the regional capitol here on January 25, recognizing their outstanding contributions to efficient public service.
The SEAL, the highest honor given by the Ministry of the Interior and Local Government (MILG) to deserving LCEs, was conferred upon former Mayor Nashiba Gandamra-Sumagayan of Taraka Municipality, Lanao del Sur; Mayor Marshall Sinsuat of Datu Blah Sinsuat; Mayor Salaban Diocolano of Kabuntalan Municipality; and former Barangay Chairman Irene Galanto of Borongotan, Upi, all from Maguindanao del Norte.
Each municipality received a plaque of recognition, an 18-carat gold medallion worth P420,500, and a P2.5 million incentive award. Notably, this marked the first time the SEAL award was given to a village chief.
MILG Minister Atty. Sha Elijah Dumama-Alba believes that enhancing LGUs’ performance through projects is one of the best strategies for advancing transparent and accountable local governance.
“The BARMM region has witnessed remarkable strides in various aspects of governance, ranging from sustainable peace and development initiatives to people participation and community empowerment projects. Now, most of our LGUs have become symbol of inspiration, embodying the principles of participation, transparency, accountability, and inclusivity,” Alba said.
In the Barangay category, three awards were given to performing and deserving barangay administrations, including the Lupong Tagapamayapa Incentive Awards (LTIA) with nine awardees, Seal of Good Local Governance for Barangay (SGLGB) with 44 awardees, and Search for Model Barangay (SMB) with 10 awardees.
Winning barangays for LTIA received building markers and cash prizes. Champions received P160,000 each, P120,000 for the 1st runner-up, and P90,000 for the 2nd runner-up.
In the SGLGB category, 43 awardees received building markers and P50,000 each, and for the SMB, ten (10) barangays received P1 million each.
Meanwhile, provinces, cities, and municipalities were also recognized. For the Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG), a total of 28 municipalities from Basilan, Maguindanao del Norte, Maguindanao del Sur, Lanao del Sur, and Sulu were awarded building markers and cash prizes worth P4 million (province), P2.3 million (city), and P1.8 million (municipality).
LGUs were also awarded P2.5 million each for the Local Grant Assistance for Innovative Practices (LGAIP).
Other categories included Child-Friendly Local Governance Audit (CFLGA) with 41 awardees, Local Governance Functionality Appraisal (LOGFA) with 71 awardees, Anti-Drug Abuse Council (ADAC) Functionality with 16 awardees, Peace and Order Council (POC) Functionality Audit with 26 awardees, and Local Legislative Award (LLA) with seven (7) awardees. All of them received a plaque of recognition.
Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim commended the LGUs for their achievements despite the complex challenges of the transition period, proving that the Bangsamoro peace process is working.
“I am optimistic that with the strong cooperation of our local chief executives, together with the continued support from the national government, the international community, and our local stakeholders, we will have a Bangsamoro in which our aspirations from the past, and perhaps of today, will become the reality we live by every day, In sha Allah,” the Chief Minister said.
Special Assistant to the President (SAP) Antonio Ernesto Lagdameo Jr. lauded the BARMM Government, which celebrated its 5th founding anniversary.
“It is worth noting in such a short span of time that BARMM has made a considerable stride in laying the foundation for an empowered and progressive Bangsamoro. We recognized the relative peace of the last few years and the allied relationship between the national government and the Bangsamoro,” Lagdameo said.
Furthermore, he said, “I take the opportunity to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of our local leaders and peace stakeholders as they are instrumental in shaping the trajectory of progress in the region.” (Majid Nur/BIO)
