BAGUIO CITY – In a momentous event at Venus Park View Hotel, local chief executives who are staunch partners of the Cordillera Regional Development Council (RDC-CAR) in its advocacies and pursuit of regional autonomy and exemplars of the pillars of good governance were awarded the Forwarding Local Autonomy Medal of Excellence (FLAME) Award. The 2019-2022 FLAME Awarding Ceremony was spearheaded by the RDC-CAR.
Ms. Edna C. Tabanda, the Co-Chairperson of RDC-CAR, officially welcomed the guests and participants, highlighting the significance of good governance in shaping robust communities and strong families. Her speech set the tone for a morning that celebrated both the achievements and aspirations of the region.
RDC-CAR Vice-Chairperson and NEDA-CAR Regional Director Susan A. Sumbeling provided an insightful overview of the FLAME Awards, emphasizing the significance of recognizing local government units (LGUs) across various categories, including provinces, highly urbanized cities, and municipalities of different income classifications. The awards criteria focused on LGU efforts towards good governance, support to RDC initiatives on regional development and autonomy, and participation in RDC-led activities, with a total scoring system for evaluation.
The award ceremony honored 46 LGUs in the special, excellence and champion categories, and Baguio City, the esteemed Hall of Famer that was a consistent recipient of the award since 2015. Notably, Tublay, Benguet in the 5th-6th class municipality category, Tadian, Mountain Province in the 4th class, Luna, Apayao in the 2nd class, La Trinidad, Benguet in the component city/1st class municipality, and Baguio City for the province/highly urbanized city category, received category Champion Awards.
Mayor Benjamin B. Magalong, Baguio City Mayor and Chairperson of the Regional Development Administration (DevAd) Committee, received the Hall of Fame Award and delivered an inspiring acceptance speech that highlighted Baguio City’s development framework anchored on innovation, resilience, and sustainability, and its participation in the Philippine Open Government Partnership. He also called on his fellow local chief executives to continue championing good governance and remain resolute in the region’s quest for regional autonomy.
The ceremony concluded with an inspiring message from DILG-CAR represented by Assistant Regional Director Ruperto B. Maribbay Jr., as Chairperson of the RDC FLAME Regional Assessment Team, in which the event’s theme of anticipating a future where regional autonomy is finally realized through good governance and unwavering commitment to achieving the inclusive and sustainable development for the region were underscored.
The RDC FLAME Award is an award exclusive to CAR approved through RDC-CAR Resolution No. 50, series of 2014. The prestigious commendation seamlessly aligns with the Regional Development Plan (RDP) 2023-2028 in underscoring the region’s development goals, while applauding local government units for their contributions to good governance and commitment to sustainable and inclusive development. By Aries Dos M. Campos
