Written By: Beatriz Faye G. Carreon | Photos By: Daryne T. Mayol

Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur – In a high-stakes onsite validation held at the DILG IX Conference Hall in Balintawak, Pagadian City on November 28, 2025, the Local Governance Regional Resource Center (LGRRC) IX presented its case for a record-setting achievement: a third consecutive Ugnay ng Mamamayan Award.

The rigorous assessment was conducted by a team of experts from the Local Government Academy (LGA), who meticulously evaluated the center’s programs, innovations, and impact on local governance and citizen engagement across Zamboanga Peninsula.

The Ugnay ng Mamamayan Award, a flagship initiative under the LGA’s Capacity Development (CapDev) ACE program, recognizes regional LGRCs that demonstrate excellence in linking government services with community needs, promoting best practices, and empowering local government units (LGUs). This year, LGRRC IX entered the validation with a singular, ambitious goal: to secure a “3-peat” victory, a testament to its sustained commitment to excellence.

The onsite review involved comprehensive presentations, documentation scrutiny, and interviews, highlighting LGRRC IX’s most effective practices. These included its flagship knowledge management systems, cutting-edge innovations, and community-driven programs that have enhanced transparency and service delivery in the region’s provinces, cities, and municipalities.

A Triumph Confirmed

The intense preparation and compelling presentation during the validation bore historic fruit. On December 11, 2025, LGA officially announced that LGRRC IX had successfully clinched its third straight Ugnay ng Mamamayan Award, achieving the coveted 3-peat feat.

The back-to-back-to-back victory solidifies DILG IX’s reputation as a national pacesetter in local governance support. It underscores a model of consistency and innovation, proving that effective citizen linkage is not a one-time project but a deeply institutionalized practice.

The triumph serves as both a crowning achievement and a challenge to other regions, setting a new benchmark for sustained excellence in the DILG’s mission to bring government closer to the people. As LGRRC IX basks in this well-earned success, the focus now shifts to sustaining the legacy and pioneering new frontiers in public service for the years to come.