The Municipality of Palimbang etched its name in the annals of local governance history by clinching multiple awards at the inaugural SIKAT Awards 2024, a prestigious event hosted by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Sultan Kudarat in partnership with the Provincial Government of Sultan Kudarat. Held at the Sultan Kudarat Sports and Cultural Center, this landmark ceremony celebrated the outstanding achievements of local government units (LGUs) across the province, spotlighting their commitment to good governance and exceptional public service.
Palimbang emerged as a standout performer, bringing home four major awards that underscored its unwavering dedication to community development and efficient governance. The awards are as follows:
- 2023 Highly Functional Peace and Order Council (POC): This award reflects Palimbang’s success in maintaining peace and order through effective policies and programs that ensure the safety of its citizens.
- 2024 Highly Functional Local Council Against Trafficking-Violence Against Women and Children (LCAT-VAWC): Recognizing Palimbang’s proactive initiatives to combat violence and exploitation, this award highlights its commitment to protecting vulnerable sectors, particularly women and children.
- 2024 Ideal Local Child Protection Committee (LCPC): This accolade celebrates the municipality’s dedication to safeguarding the welfare and rights of children, emphasizing its efforts in building a child-friendly community.
- ELCAC Implementation Award: Acknowledging the municipality’s successful execution of Executive Order No. 70, this award recognizes Palimbang’s role in promoting peace and development through the “whole-of-nation approach” to ending local communist armed conflict.
Adding to the municipality’s accolades, Barangay Poblacion and Barangay San Roque were also honored for their exemplary performance in barangay governance, further cementing Palimbang’s reputation for excellence at both municipal and grassroots levels.
A Delegation of Dedication
The awards were received by a distinguished delegation representing the municipality, including MLGOO VI Decerel C. Kempis, Sangguniang Bayan Member Abubakar M. Abdullah (on behalf of Hon. Mayor Joenime B. Kapina), Municipal Accountant Sarima T. Dipatuan, CPA, ELCAC Focal Person Norsaidie B. Bayao, and MSWDO Maria Zaira Y. Lascuña, RSW, along with her team members Saadanor K. Karon, RSW, and Sahada Briz A. Pangansayan, RSW.
Their presence symbolized the collaborative effort and commitment of Palimbang’s local government in driving sustainable development and addressing community challenges with innovative and effective solutions.
Inspiring Excellence
The SIKAT Awards, a pioneering initiative by DILG Sultan Kudarat and the Provincial Government, aim to inspire LGUs to pursue excellence in governance. By recognizing outstanding performance in various sectors, the awards promote healthy competition and a shared vision of progress among municipalities and barangays.
For Palimbang, this recognition serves as both an affirmation of its hard work and a challenge to sustain its momentum. Its success is a testament to the power of strategic governance, community engagement, and dedicated leadership.
A Model for the Future
Palimbang’s historic achievements at the SIKAT Awards 2024 send a powerful message to other municipalities across Sultan Kudarat and beyond: good governance and a commitment to public service can create transformative impacts. As the municipality celebrates its victory, it also renews its pledge to continue striving for the betterment of its community, setting a benchmark for others to follow.
Palimbang’s triumph is more than just a series of awards—it is a celebration of a vision realized, a community uplifted, and a future bright with promise.
