• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Deputy Speaker Alfredo “Albee” Benitez is giving P1 million in cash incentives to outstanding barangays and local officials in Bacolod City for 2026, in recognition of their exemplary performance in public service and local governance.
Benitez said the incentives would come entirely from his personal funds and not from government resources.
This marks the third consecutive year that the congressman extended cash rewards to winners of various governance and excellence awards presented by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Bacolod city government.
Among the recipients are awardees of the 2026 Seal of Good Local Governance for Barangays, Best Performing Barangays, and the Service Excellence Awards for barangay secretaries and treasurers.
Incentives will also be given to barangays recognized for their performance in financial administration, disaster preparedness, peace and order, social protection, environmental management, business competitiveness and other governance areas.
Other beneficiaries include winners of the 2026 Legislative Excellence in Governance and Empowerment for National Development Awards, outstanding barangay secretaries and treasurers, and individual awardees of the 2026 Simbolo ng Inisyatibo at Galing (SINAG) Awards.
Benitez said the initiative aims not only to reward outstanding performance but also to encourage healthy competition and promote a culture of excellence among Bacolod’s 61 barangays.
“Good governance begins in our barangays. They are the frontliners of public service and the government units closest to our people,” he said.
He expressed hope that the recognition would inspire other barangays to improve their governance practices, strengthen public service delivery and introduce programs responsive to their constituents’ needs.
Benitez said the ultimate goal is to make good governance a consistent practice, with Bacolod residents emerging as the biggest beneficiaries. | GPB
