Koronadal City, Philippines – September 8, 2025 – In a bid to recognize and promote outstanding achievements in population and development programs, the Commission on Population and Development (CPD) Region XII has proudly awarded the winners of the 2025 Regional Rafael M. Salas Kaunlarang Pantao Awards (RMSKPA). This event highlights the commitment and dedication of Local Government Units (LGUs) in the region to foster sustainable development and address population concerns effectively.
The RMSKPA, named in honor of Rafael M. Salas, a renowned Filipino diplomat and the first Executive Director of the United Nations Population Fund in New York, serves as a benchmark for excellence in population management and development initiatives. By providing a platform for LGUs to showcase their innovative and impactful strategies, the CPD aims to inspire other localities to prioritize demographic issues as a cornerstone of their development agendas.
From August 18 to September 8, 2025, the award ceremonies took place across respective LGUs, coinciding with the Monday Flag Raising Ceremonies or during courtesy visits with the Local Chief Executives. These events celebrated the exemplary performance of LGUs in implementing effective population management programs, contributing significantly to the socio-economic growth in their areas.
This year, the Office of the Provincial Population Officer (OPPO)of South Cotabato, emerged as the First Place Awardee in the Provincial Category, while the City Population Office (CPO) of LGU Koronadal took the lead for the City Category. The Local Population Office of the Municipal Government of Sto. Niño's was recognized as the best in the Municipal Category.
Recognitions were likewise extended to other outstanding local government units. The Provincial Government of Cotabato, through its Population Gender Advocacy Division (POPGAD Div), garnered second place in the Provincial Category. In the City Category, the City Government of General Santos, represented by the City Population Management Office (CPMO), also secured a second place finish. Meanwhile, in the Municipal Category, the Local Population Office of Polomolok earned second place, while the Local Population Office of Tboli achieved third place.
Each winning government unit received Plaques of Recognition and cash grants for PopDev project implementation, reinforcing the CPD Region XII's commitment to supporting and incentivizing excellence in population and development efforts:
Provincial Category:
1st Place: ₱77,500
2nd Place: ₱57,500
City Category:
1st Place: ₱57,500
2nd Place: ₱37,500
Municipal Category:
1st Place: ₱35,000
2nd Place: ₱25,000
3rd Place: ₱15,000
The champion LGUs from Region XII will move forward to the national level as the region’s official representatives in the upcoming National RMSKPA Search for Most Outstanding Local Government Unit. The national awards ceremony, set for November, will serve as another opportunity to showcase the region’s innovative and impactful population and development initiatives on a larger stage.
The evaluation of the Regional Awardees for the 2025 RMSKPA was conducted on July 13, 2025, at Cinco Niñas in Koronadal City. The Regional Selection Committee, also known as the Regional Technical Working Group (RTWG) for RMSKPA, consists of representatives from CPD Region XII as well as the Department of Health - Center for Health Development (DOH-CHD) XII, the Department of Education (DepEd) XII, and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) XII.
The CPD Region XII's annual RMSKPA continues to serve as a vital platform for LGUs to exchange best practices, innovate population management strategies, and ultimately contribute to the overall advancement of their communities.
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Press Release No.: IMCU PR 25-09-009
Release Date: September 8, 2025
CONTACT DETAILS
Contact Person: VINNA P. BOHOLST
Email Add: vinna.boholst@cpd.gov.ph
Mobile No.: 0929-799-2877
Website: region12.cpd.gov.ph
Credits:
COMMISSION ON POPULATION AND DEVELOPMENT REGION XII