Cagayan de oro: The Barangay Balulang 'BUSkwela' project has been recognized as the only Galing Pook Award finalist from Northern Mindanao, marking a significant achievement for Cagayan de Oro City and the entire region. The project aims to provide safe and reliable transportation for schoolchildren within the barangay, with the vehicle acquired in 2023.

According to Philippines News Agency, Balulang chairman Edwin Micabani emphasized the project's goal of protecting young students from road accidents and ensuring their daily access to education without the risk of walking long distances on busy roads. "Our goal is to keep our schoolchildren safe on their way to and from school," he stated, adding that the initiative ensures every child, from elementary to high school, has a secure means of transportation.

On November 4, a Galing Pook evaluation team from Manila visited Balulang for a three-hour on-site assessment, which included interviews and project evaluations. The results, released on Thursday afternoon, confirmed Balulang as one of the 16 national finalists for this year's prestigious Galing Pook Awards.

Micabani highlighted the significance of being one of the two barangays from Mindanao to reach the finals, stating, "This recognition inspires us to continue innovating and serving our community better."

The Galing Pook Awards, established in 1993, is the most prestigious national recognition program for outstanding local governance practices in the Philippines. Supported by the Department of the Interior and Local Government, it honors local government units that demonstrate innovation, transparency, and effective public service delivery to improve constituents' lives.

The awarding ceremony is scheduled for November 18 in Manila, where the 16 finalists will be acknowledged for their exemplary governance initiatives.