Tacloban: The Commission on Population and Development-Eastern Visayas (CPD-8) honored outstanding local government units (LGUs) in Region 8 for their successful localization of the population and development agenda. Leading the honorees of this year's Rafael M. Salas Kaunlarang Pantao Award (RMSKPA) for Most Outstanding LGUs is the provincial government of Leyte, which secured the 1st place award. The provincial government of Northern Samar followed in 2nd place.
According to Philippines News Agency, Tacloban emerged as the sole awardee in the city category, earning top recognition for its effective implementation of population and development programs. In the municipal category, Merida claimed 1st place, while Gandara and Mapanas took 2nd and 3rd places, respectively. Palapag also received a special award for its notable contributions.
Municipal category winners were awarded cash prizes of PHP50,000 for 1st place, PHP30,000 for 2nd place, and PHP20,000 for 3rd place. The top city-level awardee received PHP70,000. For the provincial level, the 1st and 2nd place winners received PHP100,000 and PHP70,000, respectively.
CPD-8 Regional Director Elnora Pulma led the awarding ceremony at the Leyte Provincial Capitol, applauding the consistent efforts and dedication of the LGUs in advancing population and development initiatives. Pulma emphasized the importance of collaborative action in addressing population and development challenges, including access to reproductive health services, promoting gender equality, and using data for sustainable planning.
Among those accepting the awards in person were Leyte Governor Carlos Jericho Petilla, Tacloban City Councilor Bryan Granados, Mapanas Vice Mayor Ma. Luisa Barbara Tejano, and municipal population officers from the recognized LGUs. The first-place winners will represent Eastern Visayas in the national selection for the RMSKPA.
The RMSKPA, a flagship initiative of CPD and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), honors the legacy of Rafael M. Salas, the first executive director of UNFPA and a global advocate for connecting population dynamics with sustainable human development. The award acknowledges provinces, cities, and municipalities that implement innovative, sustainable, and effective programs to address population concerns and improve community quality of life, promoting responsible parenthood, reproductive health, gender equality, and data-driven local development planning.
