Santa Marcela, Apayao is three-time consecutive National Awardee of DILG’s Subaybayani Awards

Santa Marcela, Apayao – The Municipality of Santa Marcela is among the DILG’s 2025 Subaybayani Awardees nationwide for its exemplary infrastructure governance and community impact, making the town a recipient of the coveted award for the third consecutive time.

“This is the third time that Santa Marcela got this award… daytoy ti ebidensiya ti nasinged ken dedicado nga panagtrabaho dagiti opisyales tayo ken government workers,” said Mayor Evelyn Martinez in an interview, adding that under her administration, she and her officials have been working hard not only to comply but also to provide a better life for the townspeople.

The Subaybayani Awards 2025 was held at the Manila Hotel in Manila, where the town was one of the 126 LGU awardees nationwide. Additionally, the LGU was recognized as Top 3 in the Cordillera Region.

Mayor Martinez, MLGOO Mary Beth A. Micu, Municipal Engineer Eduardo Mangoba, and MPDC Lary Balanay personally received the award.

Last year, in 2024, the same award was received at the Sequoia Hotel, Aseana in Parañaque City on December 3.

In 2023, Santa Marcela was hailed as one of the nine LGU awardees of the Subaybayani Awards Top Overall Performer nationwide and was the only LGU in CAR honored with the Subaybayan Special Award.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) recognizes the town for its exceptional achievements in community participation, monitoring systems, innovation, and measurable progress in infrastructure governance.

On behalf of the municipality, Mayor Martinez commended the performers behind the achievement and reaffirmed her continued commitment to empowering citizens to take an active role in public accountability and the improved delivery of public services.

“These significant awards are evidence of our strong and unified spirit toward inclusive governance and steady progress. Let’s continue to uphold excellence in delivering the services the public expects from us,” said Martinez when asked about her message to the workers of Santa Marcela LGU.