The municipality of Pandan, Antique, is one of the 42
Local Government Units in Mindanao and Western Visayas
that was recently awarded the Kaagapay Seal of Excellence in Local Governance by the Philippines-Canada Local Government Support Program (LGSP).
The Kaagapay Seal is a mark of distinction given by
LGSP to recognize, celebrate and reinforce successful
local government units and sustainable communities as
a result of the capacity development initiatives they
undertook with the program.
A confirmation of the LGU capability is
a successful Community Based Eco-Tourism Project
(CBET). The award was bestowed to Pandan because its local
government unit has been efficient, responsive and
participatory. Armed with Bugang River, which was declared by the Gawad
ng Pangulo sa Kapaligiran as the cleanest river in the
country, Pandan came out with a tourism project that
gave the local folks a chance to earn money from their
services as tour guides and storytellers and from serving
native delicacies to the tourists. This complete eco-cultural experience was
conceptualized and put into effect by the local folks.
The Kaagapay Seal award was received by SB Raymund Nonato V. Gumboc, in behalf of the municipality of Pandan, Antique, at the Davao Convention and Trade Center in Davao City, Philippines, last November 9, 2004. The Secretary of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Angelo T. Reyes, was the guest of honor.

- By Raymund Nonato V. Gumboc, Pandan, Antique, Philippines
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