Perez among outstanding governors in the country
Antique Gov. Sally Z. Perez (standing left) pose
with fellow awardees Governors George Arnaiz of
Negros Oriental, adjudged as the Most Outstanding
Governor, Erico Aumentado of Bohol and Luisa
Cuaresma of Nueva Viscaya, with Senators
Aquilino Pimentel, Manuel Villar and Edgardo
Angara during the Local Government Leadership
Awards last November 29 at the Senate in Manila.
San Jose, Antique -- It is no fluke. Gov. Sally Z. Perez was recently awarded as among the six finalists for the Search for Most Outstanding Governors in the Philippines. This has been three times in a row in two years that Perez' administrative style has been recognized. Perez' adherence to local autonomy and decentralization, transparency and strong political will piled up points for her to be reckoned with among the best in local governance.
Perez, along with fellow finalists Governors Erico Aumentado of Bohol, Rogelio Espina of Biliran, Vicente Bermejo of Capiz, Luisa Cuaresma of Nueva Vizcaya and George Arnaiz of Negros Oriental who was adjudged the Most Outstanding Governor, stood out among all 80 governor-nominees. They were all subjected to a rigorous two-month evaluation by a panel of jurors that included only the top scholars and institutions in the country, and were screened based on stringent criteria: shared leadership including transparency, fiscal management and accountability, participatory trait, organization and management sustainability and rule of law, and personal leadership which consist of ethical, equitable/distributive, visionary and political leadership.
According to the National Selection Committee of the said awards, Perez was cited for her "leadership and performance as manifested in her enduring concern and sensitivity to enhance the interests of women, children, and elderly, and her participatory management approach", have "motivated the local governments, civil society and private sector to join her in her vigorous campaign to uplift the overall maternal and child health and nutrition conditions in the province." Her firm resolve to revitalize local arts and culture through the promotion of Kinaray-a literature and music was also lauded by the committee as bringing much recognition to Antique.
Sen. Aquilino Pimentel, chair of the 2006 Local Government Leadership Awards (LGLA), awarded Perez with a Plaque of Appreciation and P 100, 000 cash grant last Thursday, November 29, during the official launching of the said awards at the Senate in Manila. The conferment of the award coincided with the Local Government Code's 16th anniversary. Pimentel was joined by Senators Edgardo Angara, Mar Roxas and Senate President Manuel Villar during the conferment.
"I share my pride with you. I owe this to your cooperation," Perez declared. Perez added that the cash price she received will be given to the Binirayan Foundation which will put up bust statues of the past governors in the province.
The LGLA is held every three years and recognizes Most Outstanding Governors, City Mayors and Municipal Mayors for their exemplary leadership traits and good governance practices. Initiated by Sen. Pimentel, also known as the father of the Local Government Code, the awards are given by a consortium of government agencies and the country's top academic institutions. The consortium includes the Center for Local and Regional Governance, the University of the Philippines, National College of Public Administration, Local Government Academy of the DILG, La Salle Institute of Governance of the De La Salle University and the Center for Governance of the Development Academy of the Philippines.
(PIO-Antique)