MAMBAJAO, Camiguin (PIA) — Celebrating the achievements and contributions of individuals, organizations, and institutions that led the town to greater heights, the local government of Mambajao held the first-ever Garbo sa Mambajao Excellence Awards on December 28.
“LGU Mambajao marks another milestone in the history of our town as we present to you the first Garbo sa Mambajao Excellence Award. This award is a testament to our steadfast pursuit of excellence in everything that we do in serving our town,” said Mayor Yñigo Jesus Romualdo.
He also acknowledged the collective efforts of the Sangguniang Bayan, barangay councils, provincial agencies, the academe, and socio-civic organizations in advancing Mambajao’s development goals.
“Our first Garbo sa Mambajao Excellence Award, a celebration of the valuable achievements of our fellow citizens, fellow Mambajaonons, who have brought pride and honor sa atong pinalanggang lungsod (to our beloved town). Excellence as we all know, does not happen by chance. It is the result of hard work, determination, and a deep sense of purpose,” Gov. Xavier Jesus Romualdo said.
He stressed that the individuals, the organizations, and the barangays that are honored in the event are shining examples of what can be achieved when passion meets perseverance.
“They remind us that greatness is within reach when we commit to making a difference dili lang para sa atong kaugalingon, ilabi na para sa atong community (not only for ourselves but most especially for our community),” the governor added.
For his part, Rep. Jurdin Jesus Romualdo said the local government, along with its key stakeholders, are doing tedious work to prepare not only for the present residents of Mambajao and the province of Camiguin but also for the future generation.
“Tan-awon nimo education, healthcare sa bata, check. All of these things, if you have the checklist, naa. But as the years will go along, kinahanglan you have to upgrade and go with the times,” Rep. Romualdo said.
(When you look at education and healthcare for children, check. All of these things are in place if you have the checklist. But as the years go by, it’s necessary to upgrade and keep up with the times.)
Mambajao feats in 2024
This year, Mambajao earned the prestigious Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), along with more than 20 other recognitions. These accolades, the mayor emphasized, were the fruits of the collective hard work and dedication of Mambajaonons.
“But behind these awards are the zeal, selfless dedication, and persistence to win that were done collectively by so many Mambajaonons, organizations, and agencies. It has never been a one-man job. We always show our gratitude, exemplifying that in togetherness, we rise and shine, strong with our feet on the ground and the feather on our caps,” Mayor Romualdo said.
The evening highlighted the winners across 34 categories, with awards honoring excellence in agriculture, education, public service, business, and governance. Barangay Poblacion, Barangay Yumbing, and Barangay Bug-ong received the top three most outstanding barangay awards, each receiving a P1 million project grant from the local government.
Other notable winners included Genes Semitara for Most Outstanding Organic Farming Practitioner, Sixto Feliciano Du Tee for Highest Revenue Contributor, and Janryhll Construction as Contractor of the Year. Top-performing schools such as Yumbing National High School and Yumbing Elementary School also garnered accolades for their achievements in literacy and numeracy.
The Garbo sa Mambajao Excellence Awards also recognized best practices in governance, with Barangay Poblacion earning distinctions for solid waste management, health services, and legislative excellence.
Mayor Romualdo also reflected on the challenges that tested Mambajao in recent years, including the COVID-19 pandemic, Typhoon Odette, and the African Swine Fever outbreak. Despite these hurdles, he commended the resilience and unity of the community in overcoming adversity and building a stronger Mambajao.
“As this is yet our first year, we hope that this will inspire us more to create significant impacts, become beacons of unwavering commitments to public service, and excel in everything that we do,” Mayor Romualdo added.
With the Garbo sa Mambajao Excellence Awards, Mayor Romualdo said the town not only celebrated its champions but also inspired the rest of the community to rise to the challenge of building a brighter future. (RTP/PIA-10/Camiguin)
