by Miriam G. Desacada PALOMPON, LEYTE — The Municipality of Palompon, Leyte has once again made its mark on the national stage, earning a place among the Top 10 Local Government Units in the entire Philippines under the Walang Gutom Awards 2026, organized by the Galing Pook Committee. The recognition was conferred on May 11-12, 2026 at the Makati Palace Hotel, Manila — and with it, Palompon etched its name in the award’s history as the only LGU to have been recognized twice since the Walang Gutom Awards was launched in 2024. This back-to-back recognition is a testament to the enduring strength of Palompon’s flagship food security program, Binhi Sa Kaugmaon — Planting Hope, Growing Futures for a Hunger-Free Community. Since its launch in 2022, the program has transformed what began as a seed distribution initiative into a full community movement built on one uncompromising philosophy: Walang Gutom, Walang Aksaya — No Hunger, Nothing Wasted. Leading the defense before the national panel was Mayor Mary Dominique “DM” Oñate, supported by Vice Mayor Javes Keith de la Calzada and the entirety of the Sangguniang Bayan Members, whose leadership has been central to bringing Binhi Sa Kaugmaon from a local initiative to a nationally recognized movement. “This recognition does not belong to the local government alone,” said Mayor DM Oñate. “It belongs to every farmer who tended their garden, every association that came together, every family that chose to grow their own food instead of going hungry. Palompon earned this — and we carry it home for all of them.” Binhi Sa Kaugmaon operates through a complete value chain anchored on three pillars — Availability, Accessibility, and Sustainability. The program provides community-based seedling distribution, continuous crop-specific training and financial literacy through its Farmers Field and Business School, and direct market access through Tabo sa Barangay and Kadiwa sa Poblacion — eliminating middlemen and ensuring farmers are paid fairly for every harvest. Over 1,200 households are active participants, with 49 SLP-funded associations and 58 local vendors and growers engaged across the municipality’s barangays. Central to the program’s innovation is its circular econonomy. Please share Post navigation House Approves Bill Creating New State-Run College of Medicine
