Aklan province receives 2025 receives Excellence in Governance award

By: Richie Oloroso

Iloilo City- The Province of Aklan was recognized as an Awardee of the 2025 Excellence in Local Governance (EXCELL) Awards by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Region VI (Western Visayas) during the awarding ceremony held on December 16, 2025, at the Diversion Hotel in Iloilo City.

The recognition honors the Province’s exemplary performance and innovative governance practices across key governance areas, namely: education; safety, peace, and order; tourism, heritage development, culture, and arts; and youth development.

Under the 𝗦𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗘𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 governance area, Aklan was recognized for its 𝗧𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗿𝘆/𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗮𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗔𝗸𝗹𝗮𝗻 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗣𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘀, which advances inclusive and equitable access to higher education through sustained financial assistance, and strong multi-stakeholder coordination. As a concrete initiative, the Provincial Government of Aklan conducts annual province-wide scholarship application intake, screening, and qualifying examinations for IP applicants, in coordination with the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), tribal leaders, and partner higher education institutions. Through these efforts, the program has supported Indigenous Peoples scholars every year, enabling IP youth to complete tertiary education, improve employability, and emerge as professionals and community leaders.

For 𝗦𝗮𝗳𝗲𝘁𝘆, 𝗣𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗲, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗢𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗿, the Province was awarded for 𝗞𝗮𝘁𝗮𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘆𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝗴 𝗞𝗮𝘂𝘀𝘄𝗮𝗴𝗮𝗻 𝘀𝗮 𝗞𝗮𝗯𝘂𝗸𝗶𝗿𝗮𝗻: 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗲, 𝗘𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝗮𝗳𝗲𝘁𝘆, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗔𝗸𝗹𝗮𝗻’𝘀 𝗨𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀, an integrated and community-centered initiative that converges peacebuilding, public safety, social services, and disaster resilience. The program has contributed to zero armed encounters in Aklan’s upland communities since 2011 and a 100% High Performing for the PPOC, a 27% reduction in crime rate in 2020-2024, and 90% citizen satisfaction, reflecting strengthened public trust and effective service delivery. The initiative has also institutionalized inter-agency convergence and participatory peace mechanisms across all upland barangays, translating peace gains into improved livelihoods, disaster preparedness, and long-term community resilience positioning Aklan as a replicable model for integrated peace and development planning.

In the area of 𝗧𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗺, 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁, 𝗖𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗔𝗿𝘁𝘀, Aklan was cited for the 𝗔𝗸𝗹𝗮𝗻 𝗣𝗶ñ𝗮 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗙𝗶𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝗙𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗮𝗹, a flagship cultural initiative that preserves the province’s centuries-old piña weaving tradition while strengthening livelihoods and the creative economy. As a concrete project, the Province implements piña weaving demonstrations, artisan exhibits and trade fairs, skills enhancement workshops for weavers, and designer–artisan collaborations during the festival, providing direct market access and income opportunities for local producers. Institutionalized as a major provincial event, the festival elevates Aklan’s cultural identity, supports local artisans, and demonstrates the effective integration of heritage preservation, sustainable tourism, and inclusive economic growth, as recognized by UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage listing.

The Province was likewise recognized under 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 for 𝗬𝗔𝗟𝗔 – 𝗟.𝗘.𝗚.𝗔.𝗖.𝗬. 𝗼𝗳 𝗔𝗞𝗟𝗔𝗡 (𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗴 𝗔𝗸𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗔𝗰𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗺𝘆), the Province’s flagship youth leadership and governance program that empowers young Aklanons as active partners in development and public service. Launched in 2022, YALA conducts annual leadership academies and governance boot camps, training an average of 120 youth leaders from across the province through structured learning modules, mentorship with government officials, community immersion, and youth-led project development. As a proven practice, the program has strengthened youth participation in governance, improved leadership competencies, and increased youth engagement in civic and community initiatives, resulting in a new generation of ethical, capable, and socially responsible leaders who actively contribute to inclusive, accountable, and future-ready governance in the Province of Aklan.

The said recognition affirms the Province of Aklan’s sustained commitment to inclusive, participatory, and people-centered governance that delivers meaningful outcomes for Aklanons and contributes to regional development.

The awarding ceremony was attended by Engr. Roger M. Esto, Doctor of Public Administration, Provincial Planning and Development Coordinator; EnP Lorna T. Cawaling, Assistant Provincial Government Department Head, both from the Provincial Planning and Development Office; Ms. Janica Anne Dela Peña, Provincial Youth Development Officer–Designate; Ms. Rosselle Q. Ruiz, Provincial Tourism Officer; and Ms. Miriam Ildesa, Administrative Officer IV of the PGO–Special Project Division, Scholarship Services Section.

The Provincial Government of Aklan, 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗢𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗲, extends its heartfelt appreciation to 𝗗𝗜𝗟𝗚 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗩𝗜 and reaffirms its steadfast commitment to sustaining reforms, strengthening institutions, and advancing inclusive, resilient, and sustainable development for all Aklanons.