City entry is Galing Pook Award finalist

City entry is Galing Pook Award finalist

ILOILO CITY – An innovative public school education program called “Project Jerry” spearheaded by the Iloilo Division of City Schools and the city government here headed by city mayor Jerry P. Treñas has been selected as a finalist in the 2008 Galing Pook Awards (GPA).

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will award plaques of recognition to the 10 top winners and 9 finalists at the February 12 awarding rites in Malacañang Palace while Development Bank of the Philippines will host a dinner to the winners and finalists.

Project Jerry, which stands for “Join Education Reading Recovery for the Youth”, is an initiative to improve the quality and standard of public education in this southern city.

It was launched in Iloilo City in 2004 with the Synergia Reading Project as its first initiative in cooperation with the Division of Iloilo City Schools.

The program was first implemented in Jaro district and is now being adopted in all 52 elementary schools in the city.

Several components of Project Jerry include Drop Everything and Read (DEAR), Adopt Make More Reader (AMMOR), FACETS or Facilitating Continuous Education of Teachers, Gearing Internet Learning Access for Students, Bright Minds Read, 57-75 Program and the E-TV of the ABS-CBN.

GPA is a program that searches and recognizes innovative practices by local government units and considered as the “Oscar Awards” for LGUs for the past 14 years.

Launched in 1993, GPA recognizes innovative projects of local government units. The winners were chosen using the following criteria: positive results (35 percent), promotion of people’s participation and empowerment (35 percent), transferability and sustainability (20 percent) and efficiency in program service delivery (10 percent).

The winners include Albay’s entry of its Provincial Safety and Emergency Management Office (APSEMO); Brgy. Payatas, Quezon City for its garbage disposal facility rehabilitation that ensured safety and provides livelihood opportunities for residents near the dumpsite; the Children First Program of Cotabato where young Christians, Muslims and children from other tribal groups are taught to become peace advocates in their communities.

Also winners are the San Carlos City Sustainable City Project that seeks to transform rural communities into economically viable and environmental agro-industrial areas; and the Allah Valley program of South Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat where various sectors coordinate to do landscape planning and management to preserve the lush natural resources of the valley.

By Lydia C. Pendon