Rotary honors outstanding punong barangays in Baguio

By Alah Soledad M. Sungduan

BAGUIO CITY -- Twelve exceptional barangay chief executives here who sustained programs on anti-drug campaign, livelihood, and infrastructure projects were honored here during 22nd Ten Outstanding Punong Barangays and Hall of Fame Awards.

Punong Barangays Justina Andaya of Fairview and SoteroDulaycan of Pinsao Pilot Project, both an OPB awardee for three consecutive years from 2011-2013 received the Hall of Fame Awards in ceremony presented by Rotary Club of Metro Baguio April 28 at Hotel Supreme.

The 2014 Ten Outstanding Punong Barangays are Luis Badecao of Upper Rock Quary , Ferdinand Bucad of Hillside, Van Oliver Dicang of Lower Quirino Hill, Dr. Ignacio Gallente of Middle Quirino Hill, and Miguel Kiswa of Santo Tomas Proper.

Completing the list of awardees in the 22nd Ten OPB awards are Punong Barangays RaymundLaxamana of Pinsao Proper, Roberto Medina of Pacdal Barangay, Wilbert Ponce of Andres Bonifacio, Timothy Pudlao Jr. of Kias, and Catherine Quiñones of MRR Queen of Peace.

Badecao’s major accomplishment include the formation of a boarding house and Store Owners Association which is also used in deterring drug pushers and other illegal activities in the area while Bucad’s program on education particularly the construction of Baguio City National High School is considered as his best legacy.

Twenty-four-year old Dicang’s pride is the establishment of a new barangay hall, the establishment of a barangay newsletter where transactions and issues are published for Gallante, the livelihood project on baking for Kiswa, teaching the youth to appreciate music and use it for a living for Laxamana, and livelihood program on meat & noodle processing including weaving for Medina.

Meanwhile, Ponce’s greatest accomplishments are the conduct of summer sports fest and anti-drug abuse seminars for the youth, the improvement of elementary school and implementation of death aid program for Pudlao, and development of a culture of a child friendly barangay and coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency to address drug cases for Quiñones.

Mayor Mauricio Domogan acknowledged the big contribution of punong barangays he said were backbone, lifeblood, and pillars in building the city.

The Mayor cited winners recognizing their important role in the local government by serving as a link in making Baguio a strong city.

Meanwhile guest of honor and speaker Rotary International District 3790 governor Dennis Norman Go, who is also  municipal mayor of Gerona, Tarlac urged Rotarians and  awardees to live and serve with integrity.

The selection of winners was based on leadership and family background, advocacy on tourism promotion, programs against graft and corruption, drug prevention, anti-squatting, and enforcement of laws and protection of the environment like clean and green program which include solid waste segregation and tree planting.

Other criteria are infrastructure projects such as the construction of multipurpose building and satellite market; programs on family planning, peace and order particularly on management of the LuponTagapamayapa, health and sanitation programs such as the conduct of a medical-dental mission; the completion of the preparation & implementation of the barangay budget and annual report; and the good relationship of the Punong Barangays to their constituents.

More than 100 nominees were recommended by the Department of Interior and Local Government Baguio and the Association of Barangay Councils.

All documents submitted were validated through personal and on the spot visits done by the 2014 OPB selection and evaluation committee headed by director Amando Mayo.

Domogan and Go led  presentation of plaque, token, and cash to winners with assistance of RCMB president FelizaRonquillo and secretary Lyman Salvador, also past Rotary Metro Baguio president.