Eight of Catanduanes’ 11 towns as well as the provincial government have been recognized as best performing local government units by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Bicol regional office.
In the “Aldaw nin Honra: Regional Recognition Ceremony for 2024 Best Performing LGUs and Good Local Governance Champions” held by DILG Bicol last Oct. 30, 2025 in Legazpi City, Catanduanes was among those named Outstanding LGU for complying with all 10 key governance areas during the 2024 Regional Performance Assessment.
Its Local Committee Against Trafficking and Violence Against Women and Children (LCAT-VAWC) was hailed for its high performance in social welfare and protection initiatives, earning an assessment as “Highly Functional” and achieving a score of 105%.
The island province was also awarded for its high performance in disaster preparedness, acknowledging its effectiveness in ensuring community safety and resilience in the face of natural hazards.
The awards were received by Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer Ma. Rosela Navar and DILG Catanduanes Cluster Head William Aldea.
Among the 18 Bicol LGUs awarded as “Outstanding” in the RIDS BICOL E.K.S.P.R.E.S. were Virac and Baras.
The Bicol Enhanced Knowledge Sharing and Performance-tracking of Revitalized and Empowered LGUs for SGLG (Bicol E.K.S.P.R.E.S) being implemented under the Regional Institutional Development Support (RIDS) Program is a DILG initiative aimed at enhancing the capacity of local government units (LGUs) to improve governance, service delivery, and resource management.
It provides technical assistance, training, and institutional support to strengthen local systems and ensure sustainable development.
Also cited as Champions of Good Local Governance for their highly functional LCAT-VAWCs and Local Council for the Protection of Children (LCPCs) as well as for being regional winners in the Child-Friendly Local Governance Audit (CFLGA) were Bagamanoc (LCAT-VAWC); Viga (LCPC); Bato (LCAT-VAWC and CFLGA); Baras (LCAT-VAWC, LCPC and CFLGA); Caramoran (LCAT-VAWC, LCPC and CFLGA); Panganiban (LCAT-VAWC, LCPC and CFLGA); San Miguel (LCAT-VAWC, LCPC and CFLGA); and Virac (LCAT-VAWC, LCPC and CFLGA).
Receiving plaques of recognition and cash awards under the Lupong Tagapamayapa Incentive Award (LTIA) were barangay Bagatabao of Bagamanoc which was declared 1st runner-up for 5th class towns and barangay Palnab del Sur of Virac, 1st runner-up for 1st class towns at the regional level.
The winning Lupons have excelled in maintaining peace and resolving disputes at the barangay level, embodying justice, fairness, and unity in their communities, the DILG stated.
The Vice Mayors’ League of the Philippines (VMLP) Bicol Region Chapter headed by Pandan Vice Mayor Eric Rodriguez also received a plaque of recognition as Local Governance Champion from DILG Regional Director Atty. Arnaldo Escober Jr.
The VMLP Board of Directors had just taken their oath of office before Dir. Escober, with President Rodriguez pushing for a stronger role of the League as a unifying force among local government units, as well as creating avenues for continuous capacity-building, especially in legislative processes and public service delivery.