Davao Oriental province won the 30th Galing Pook Award for its “Happy Home” program, a halfway house and processing center for former rebels.

Governor Niño Sotero Uy Jr. said the provincial government “aced” the extensive and rigorous evaluation process, following a panel presentation and interview.

The Galing Pook Awards recognizes excellence in various aspects of local governance.

Uy said the establishment of the Happy Home by the late governor Corazon Malanyaon in 2013 has served as an inspiration for all those who continue to work to sustain peace.

“The entire province was overjoyed honoring the legacy of Gov. Malanyaon whose dedication to peace and development was unwavering,” he added.

He noted that Happy Home has been changing the lives of former rebels, giving them a new lease on life.

“This award is a testament to the province’s unwavering commitment to our people to sustainable development, peace, and progress,” Uy said.

The other winners of the 2023 Galing Pook Awards and their respective innovative programs are Del Carmen, Surigao del Norte, Seal of Health Governance; General Santos City, Shari’a Atas Bitiara; Makati City, Virtual Queuing Management System for Health Centers; Iloilo Province, Mobilizing Communities through People-Centered Zero Open Defecation Movement Towards Sustainable Sanitation; Pasig City, Prehospital Care and Emergency Medical Services Medical Control Program; Bayawan City, Negros Oriental, Fish From The Mountains: Bayawan Inland Aquaculture; Bataan Province, 1Bataan Seal of Healthy Barangay; Barangay Taloot, Argao, Cebu, Barangay Taloot Community-Based Integrated Approach; and Quezon City: iRISE UP (Intelligent, Resilient, and Integrated Systems for the Urban Population).

The finalists were chosen from 166 entries across the country. (PNA)