By Ruben A. Veloria
Members and staff of the Sangguniang Bayan of Cabangan, poses with Gov. Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. after conferred as 2025 ZEAL Most Outstanding Local Sangguniang Bayan (1st-3rd Class Municipalities Category), and received a plaque and P300,000.00 in cash, during the Zambales Exemplary Achievers as Legislators Awards Ceremony held in Subic Bay Freeport on Tuesday. (Photo by Zambales for the People)
SUBIC BAY FREEPORT, Philippines – The provincial government of Zambales recognized the contribution of local legislators in formulating laws and ordinances that resulted in the upliftment of the lives of Zambaleños and the continuing development of the province.
Initiated by Zambales Governor Hermogenes Ebdane Jr., the provincial vice governor together with the board members, the vice mayors and members of the municipal council were convened to the 2025 Zambales Exemplary Achievement as Legislators (ZEAL) Awarding Ceremony held at the Travelers Hotel here, recently.
Also present during the momentous event were the municipal mayors who supported the delegates, the local Sangguniang Bayan secretaries and other staff.
Governor Ebdane said that the event was surprisingly different from what he believed years ago. “Time has really changed a lot. We have reached the era where real winners win; and deserving people were recognized. Thanks to DILG,” he said.
Gov. Ebdane emphasized that the real success is measured by moving together, united towards mutual development, and to dreaming of uplifting the lives of the constituents, “we should serve as their inspiration to dream big.”
The governor likewise, encouraged the legislators to start making preparations to face the uncertainties, such as disasters, or The Big One. “We really don’t know when and where a disaster will strike. But we must always be ready to respond, just in case the inevitable happened in our time,” he added.
He said that being a public servant, legislators should always prioritize the welfare of the community, and being ready to any kind of disaster should always be the first priority.
As for the winners, the Municipality of Cabangan was conferred as 2025 ZEAL Most Outstanding Local Sangguniang Bayan (1st-3rd Class Municipalities Category), and received a plaque and P300,000.00 in cash, and to represent the province in the Regional level.
In the 4th – 6th Class Municipalities Category, the 2025 ZEAL Most Outstanding Local Sanggunian Bayan was awarded to the Municipality of Iba, along with the plaque and P400,000.00 in cash, and to represent the province in the regional level.
Other Best Performers for 2025 ZEAL Awards (1st-3rd Class Municipalities Category): 3rd Runner-Up- Municipality of Subic (plaque and P100,000.00 cash); 2nd Runner-Up- Municipality of Castillejos (plaque and P200,000.00) and 1st Runner-Up- Municipality of Masinloc (plaque and P300,000.00).
Meanwhile, Iba Vice Mayor, and concurrent Vice Mayors League of the Phils.-Zambales Chapter, Joan Ballesteros, described the municipal legislators and the Sanggunian staff as pillars of development in the community.
Feed backs have manifested that the provincial board members and municipal councilors acted untiringly and with dedication to achieve the voluminous paper works of proposed ordinances and laws submitted by the provincial board members and municipal councilors.
They are the instruments to the progression and to the achievement of the objectives of the province. “I am happy for their success as local government officials with integrity and devotion,” said DILG Assistant Regional Director Jay Timbreza.
In closing, Philippine Councilors League- Zambales Chapter president Carl Eric Rico commended the local legislators for fulling their oath to the country to serve the people first before serving themselves.
“The evidence of our desire to serve the people is shown every day that we serve our local constituents” said Rico.
