BONTOC, Mountain Province (PIA) — In recognition of their exemplary performance in local governance, the provincial government of Mountain Province, in partnership with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), honored local government units and offices in the 35th Local Government Month Awarding Ceremony at the Mayaen’s Sports Center in Bontoc.
With the theme “Celebrating Local Excellence, Strengthening Community, Advancing Mountain Province,” the event held October 27, 2026, put on center stage outstanding LGUs for their performance in accounting, local planning implementation, social governance, public safety, and overall local governance.
Awarded with plaques of recognition and cash incentives were the Municipal Accounting Offices of Bauko, Barlig, Besao, Bontoc, Natonin, Paracelis, Sabangan, Sadanga, Sagada, and Tadian for being cited by the Association of Government Accountants of the Philippines (AGAP), Incorporated as among the Best Outstanding Accounting Offices. The Office of the Provincial Accountant was honored by the AGAP as the Best Outstanding Accounting Office for the 8th time this 2026 and is one of the only four provincial LGU awardees in the entire country.
For the Monitoring and Evaluation of Local Level Plan Implementation Pro-Green Banner Seal of Compliance, the awardees are the Local Nutrition Councils of Barlig – 1st place, Bontoc – 2nd place and Besao – 3rd place.
Awardees for the Seal of Child-Friendly Local Governance are Tadian, Bauko and Barlig in 1st, 2nd and 3rd place, respectively.
For the Municipal Councils for the Protection of Children, winners are Besao – 1st place, Tadian – 2nd place and Sabangan – 3rd place.
The LGUs of Barlig, Bauko and Besao tied for 1st place while Bontoc, Sadanga and Tadian tied for 2nd place for the Municipal Committees on Ant-Trafficking and Violence against Women and their Children. Paracelis placed 3rd.
For High Performing Municipal Peace and Order Councils, winners are Barlig – 1st, Natonin – 2nd, and Besao – 3rd place. Bontoc and Sadanga both placed 2nd, while Sabangan got 3rd place.
The Top 3 complying LGUs for the Local Government Support Fund (LGSF) and Seal of Good Local Governance incentive Fund are Sagada, Besao and Natonin.
For Excellence in Local Governance Awards, the Top 3 LGUs are Besao, Sagada and Barlig, which received, aside from plaques of commendation, cash incentives amounting to P50,000, P30,000 and P20,000, respectively.
Mountain Province Lone District Representative Maximo Y. Dalog Jr. congratulated the awardees and reminded them that awards should push them to do better.
“Let these awards not be a resting point, but a reminder of the higher standard we must keep,” Dalog said.
Governor Bonifacio C. Lacwasan Jr. emphasized that awards are not the ultimate measure of success, but the service that reaches the people.
“Awards ultimately benefit our people. The true value of recognition lies not in the trophies or certificates we receive, but in the improvements that follow,” Lacwasan said.
Besao Mayor Bryne O. Bacwaden shared the importance of citizen participation in local governance.
“We must encourage our constituents to participate and to engage with the stakeholders,” Bacwaden said.
Vice Governor Jose O. Dominguez assured the LGUs of the support of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan in the achievement of excellence in public service through responsive legislation. **JDP/VJLT/CKI – PIA-CAR, Mountain Province
