Vigan wins ‘Gawad Pamana’ award

By Freddie Lazaro

VIGAN CITY, Ilocos Sur — This country’s heritage city, as recognized by a United Nations agency, won the coveted Region 1 Gawad Pamana ng Lahi Award after besting eight other cities in the Ilocos region, officials said Tuesday.

Vigan City Mayor Eva Marie S. Medina said a trophy and cash prize of P2 million for the city were handed over by the Department of the Interior and Local Government in a simple ceremony held at the Vigan Convention Center recently.

“This award is the “mother of all awards” given by the DILG because this is a total concept award conferred to a province, a city and a municipality implemented by the local government agency in partnership with other stakeholders to give due recognition to the efforts and contributions of local government units (LGUs) in the advancement of good local governance,” she said.

Medina said that aside from the city government’s efficient management and good governance, the city takes pride in its poverty alleviation program dubbed “Pagsapulan Raniag ti Masakbayan.”

She described it as one of the most significant impact programs of her administration in boosting the city to win the Region 1’s GPL award in the component city category.

“This coveted award is another inspiration and challenge to all leaders, employees and residents of the city government to further raise the level of excellent public service, accountability and transparency,” she said.

She thanked the Vigan residence for winning the award as this is a manifestation of solid partnerships and cooperation in effective program implementation.

It was reported that Vigan City is automatically a nominee for the first national GPL award search for this year after winning the regional GPL.