PBBM touts barangay initiatives as good governance at community level

President Marcos on Wednesday hailed this year's top barangay initiatives as proof that good governance begins at the community level, praising local officials for crafting solutions that were never thought of at the national level, and showing how grassroots innovation strengthens public trust.

- By Argyll Cyrus Geducos

Speaking at the 2025 Galing Pook Awards for Barangay Initiatives in Malacañan, the President said barangays demonstrated that effective leadership does not require vast budgets, only clear goals, transparent systems, and genuine concern for residents.

"Sa barangay nagsisimula ang serbisyong pinakamalapit sa tao (Service closest to the people begins in the barangay)," he said on Wednesday, Dec. 3, adding that this year's awardees showed how communities can drive progress even under difficult constraints.

Marcos cited projects that revived polluted waterways, brought children back to school, prepared residents for earthquakes, promoted renewable energy, improved access to health services, and created new community engagement programs.

"These programs prove that when we listen to what people actually need, real change happens," he said.