The city government here is open to the idea that its grassroots sports program, which is among the finalists of the 2024 Galing Pook Award, may be replicated by other local government units (LGUs).

The Iloilo City Sports Academy (ICSA) started in 2019, offering year-round free training for Ilonggos 5 to 17 years old in 20 sports disciplines.

It started with 160 athletes and currently has 3,344 enrollees with certified trainers and coaches tapped by the city government.

“I am very excited because this time, I will be going there myself and present this program, which can be done by other LGUs,” Iloilo City Mayor Jerry P. Treñas said in a media interview on Tuesday. “What is important with the program in Galing Pook is it can be replicated everywhere.”

The program will be presented before panelists of the Galing Pook in Manila in October.

Galing Pook recognizes the best and most innovative local governance programs exemplifying citizens’ participation and delivering positive results and impact.

If chosen, ICSA will be the fourth best practice award for the city from Galing Pook.

In 2012, Iloilo City got its first Galing Pook Award through the Dinagyang Festiva, serving as a venue to promote good governance and human capital.

The second award was for the Iloilo Batiano River Development Project in 2018, coinciding with the 25th year of the Galing Pook Awards.

It bagged its third award in 2022for the “I-BIKE” program that promotes the development of bicycle culture. (PNA)