More than 150 representatives from DILG Central Office, Field Offices, and Local Government Units (LGUs), and Barangays gathered to celebrate top-performing awardees in the 2025 Metro Manila SubayBAYANI Awards, held on October 7, 2025, at The Manila Hotel, Manila.

The 2025 Metro Manila SubayBAYANI Awards is a recognition program that honors outstanding public servants for their excellence in infrastructure governance and urban development. Beyond recognition, the event shines a spotlight on local initiatives that continue to transform communities across the region into models of impact and sustainability.

DILG-NCR Regional Director Maria Lourdes L. Agustin, CESO III, warmly greeted the awardees with her welcoming message, describing the event as a fitting tribute to local government units in celebration of Local Government Month. Moreover, this ceremony serves as a platform to showcase the innovative local programs that have brought significant impact to the community.

“May we build a legacy as a region that exemplifies urban development and good governance. More importantly, may it also serve as a platform to share the remarkable stories of our stakeholders: stories that affirm the transformative impact of our infrastructure development on the communities,” RD Agustin inspiringly expressed.

Following this, DILG Office of Project Development Services (OPDS) Director Alfonso A. Maralli, Jr., CESO IV, gave his message of support, commending the awardees for exemplifying excellence in urban governance through local programs that meaningfully uplift the lives of their constituents. He described them as modern-day heroes who persevere in carrying out projects that genuinely reach and benefit the people.

Assistant Secretary for Local Government Atty. Jesi Howard S. Lanete delivered his keynote speech, commending the public servants for their steadfast commitment and perseverance in navigating the region’s unique and complex landscape. This event affirmed that every local project should remain effective, transparent, and accountable.

The first category of the awarding ceremony began with recognizing the six (6) top-performing barangays for their outstanding local initiatives that uplift the lives in their communities. The honored barangays include Barangay Valenzuela (City of Makati), Barangay Industrial Valley Complex (City of Marikina), Barangay Bagong Pag-asa, and Barangays Project 6, Salvacion, and San Jose (Quezon City).

Of this distinguished group, Barangays Industrial Valley Complex, Bagong Pag-asa, and San Jose—were named the Grand Awardees at the barangay level for their closed-circuit television (CCTV) projects that brought security and public safety to their communities.

Thereafter, nine (9) cities and municipality were likewise recognized for exemplifying excellence in urban governance, implementing infrastructure projects that respond to their unique challenges and drive progress in the region. Hailed as the top-performing in the region were Cities of Caloocan, Las Piñas, Marikina, Navotas, Parañaque, Pasay, Pasig, Valenzuela, and the Municipality of Pateros.

Leading this roster of exemplary LGUs, the Cities of Las Piñas, Parañaque, and Pasig were conferred as the Grand Awardees for their flagship projects—Land Development of Green Archers Subdivision, Women’s Wellness Center, and Mega-Dialysis Center, respectively.

Meanwhile, the DILG Field Offices of the City of Marikina, Quezon City, and the Municipality of Pateros emerged as the top-performing field offices, recognized for their unwavering commitment to supporting and overseeing the local projects of their respective LGUs. They served more than guides along the path of progress, but true SubayBAYANIs in action.  

DILG-NCR Assistant Regional Director Atty. Ana Lyn R. Baltazar-Cortez, CESO IV, concluded the afternoon ceremony with her closing message, expressing gratitude to the awardees for their inspiring commitment to public service. ARD Baltazar-Cortez believed that the transformative stories of local projects shared affirmed the progress in the region.

The Department upholds its mandate to ensure that local initiatives are transparent, accountable, and responsive to the community’s needs. Through the 2025 Metro Manila SubayBAYANI Awards, the Department honors exemplary governance practices and highlights infrastructure projects that uplift the lives of the people.