The Angeles City Government, led by Mayor Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin, Jr., on September 20, 2023 continued the Top 12 on-site evaluation for the second year of “Gawad Parangal sa mga Pinakamalinis, Luntiang, Ligtas at Kaayaayang Pamayanan (Pogi Ya Ing Barangay Ku)”, an inter-barangay contest aimed to promote sustainable programs for participatory governance, environmental management, peace and order, and disaster risk reduction management.

Barangay Cuayan was the eighth semifinalist barangay evaluated by Environmentalist and Veteran Broadcaster Cecil Yumul; Edna Marissa Simbre of Department of Environment and Natural Resources—EMB Region III; Ladislao Puno III of Department of the Interior and Local Government – Angeles City; and Lisa Juco of Office of the Civil Defense Region III.

Also present during the evaluation are Angeles City Traffic Development Officer Kiko Pangilinan, Al Dalusung Quito of City Agriculture Office, and the members of the Barangay Cuayan Council, headed by Rufino Candelaria.

Mayor Lazatin said this project is also to “Build Back Better” communities to encourage implementation of intensively and extensively proactive, participative, sound, and sustained programs, projects, and activities on socio-economic, environmental, and risk reduction management.

The barangay which will be the grand winner will receive a dump truck with ₱300,000 cash incentive; second placer will get ₱600,000; 3rd placer will receive ₱300,000; top 6 will receive ₱150,000; top 12 will get ₱130,000; top 20 will receive ₱120,000; and consolation prize for non-winner barangays is ₱100,000.

Among the criteria for judging are Urban Farm and Greening Program (35%); Solid Waste Management and General Cleanliness Program (35%); and Disaster Risk Reduction, Peace and Order, Health and Sanitation Program (30%). 

Mayor Lazatin said that the city needs programs to proactively cope with future disasters in order to further raise the resiliency of communities, institutions and sectors.