Masantol LGU launches ‘Guintu Ning Balen’awards

MASANTOL - The local government unit (LGU) of Masantol is set to recognize individuals who have excelled in their respective fields as it formally opened the nominations to the first ever most outstanding Masantoleño awards on Monday.

Dubbed as the ‘Guintu Ning Balen’(Treasures of the Town), the body shall give noble and worthy recognition to all Masantoleños who brought glory, honor and pride to this fourth district town.

According to Guintu Ning Balen (GNB) Committee Chairman and Municipal Tourism Officer Mercy Manansala, all individuals who were born in Masantol as testified in their birth certificates issued by the Philippine National Statistics Office are qualified for nomination.

She disclosed that the local government here, under the leadership of Mayor Danilo Guintu, has long been mulling the recognition of outstanding Masantoleños through a formal awarding ceremony.

She stressed that the GNB awards is the first and only award-giving body organized by the local government in the history of Masantol town.

“There are many Masantoleños who deserve proper recognition for their notable achievements which, in one way or another, also gave honor to our humble hometown. Through the leadership of Mayor Dan Guintu, we believe it is high time to show them our appreciation and gratitude for their dedication to their occupations,” Manansala said.

She added that the awards may also serve as encouragement to other Masantoleños, especially the youth, to showcase their talents and hardwork in their respective fields. For nominations, Manansala said that nominators must submit curriculum vitae, an essay and a video testimonial from nominee’s colleagues which can attest the nominees’ outstanding or exemplary work or achievement in his or her respective field.

Supporting documents such as photographs, video or broadcasted publications which show the accomplishments of nominees must also be filed as part of the requirements, Manansala added.

Categories open for nominations will be the most outstanding teacher and principal for the field of education, the most outstanding entrepreneur for the field of business, the most outstanding overseas filipino worker for the field of global awards and the most outstanding Masantoleños in the field of sports and music for the special interest category.

Likewise, the GNB will also honor barangay and municipal employees for the field of local government and most outstanding non-government organization leader for the field of socio-civic, most outstanding senior citizen and youth leaders for the field of elderly and youth group, respectively.

Meanwhile, Manansala also noted GNB will also give special citations to eldest Masantoleño alive, the honorary sons and daughters of Masantol and the former local chief executives of this town. Manansala said that the nominations will be open until March 31, while the awarding ceremony will be held on May 1 to kick-off the 2018 celebration of this town.