Gumaca conferred Gawad Husay sa Pagpaplano Hall of Fame Award

By Nimfa L. Estrellado Mayor Webster D. Letargo receives the Gawad Husay sa Pagpaplano – Hall of Fame Award as Governor Dr. Helen Tan and ot...

By Nimfa L. Estrellado

Mayor Webster D. Letargo receives the Gawad Husay sa Pagpaplano – Hall of Fame Award as Governor Dr. Helen Tan and other officials join him on stage during ceremonies at the Quezon Convention Center. (Kuya ng Bayan Webster D. Letargo)

GUMACA, Quezon — First municipal government in Quezon Province to achieve the distinction, the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Gumaca has been recently named a Hall of Fame Awardee in the prestigious Gawad Husay sa Pagpaplano of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) Region IV-A. The recognition marks a historic milestone for the municipality after it secured five consecutive years of excellence in development planning under the same program.

At the institutional level, the five consecutive recognitions from the DHSUD stand as strong proof of the LGU’s capability in preparing clear, comprehensive, and well-structured local development plans. In addition, the distinction reflects the municipality’s consistent ability to translate these plans into concrete programs and projects that meaningfully improve the quality of life of residents.



With its Hall of Fame status, Gumaca further strengthens its position as a model municipality in Quezon Province, setting a benchmark for excellence in local development planning and governance within the region. The achievement demonstrates that careful planning, sustained teamwork, and a clearly defined long-term vision remain essential foundations of sustainable local development.

In a Facebook post following the awarding ceremony at the Quezon Convention Center, Mayor Webster D. Letargo described the recognition as a proud moment for Gumaca. He said the milestone reflects years of disciplined planning and the collective effort of the entire municipality.

“Isang malaking karangalan po para sa akin at sa Bayan ng Gumaca ang muling pagkilala sa ating mga pagsisikap sa maayos at makataong pagpaplano,” ani Mayor Letargo. “Matapos nating makamit ang Gawad Husay sa Pagpaplano – Hall of Fame Award mula sa DHSUD Region IV-A, lalo po nating pinagtitibay ang ating pangako sa tuloy-tuloy at responsableng pag-unlad.”

Beyond the ceremony, the mayor emphasized that the Hall of Fame status reflects the municipality’s sustained consistency in meeting national planning standards over five consecutive years. He said the recognition affirms Gumaca’s commitment to maintaining high-quality planning practices and measurable development outcomes.

“Lubos po nating ipinagmamalaki ang pagkilalang ito dahil nag-iisa ang Bayan ng Gumaca bilang Hall of Fame Awardee,” dagdag pa niya. “Ito ay bunga ng tuloy-tuloy na pagpaplano, malinaw na direksyon ng development, at tamang paggamit ng datos upang masiguro ang ligtas, maayos, at pangmatagalang kaunlaran ng ating bayan.”

Mayor Letargo dedicated the award to the people of Gumaca and to the municipal workforce who contributed to the achievement. He stressed that inclusive participation and responsible governance remain at the core of the town’s progress.

“Ang parangal pong ito ay hindi lamang para sa pamahalaan, kundi para sa bawat Gumaqueño,” pahayag pa ng alkalde. “Patuloy po tayong magpaplano nang tama sapagkat ang tunay na kaunlaran ay nagsisimula sa malinaw na plano at malasakit sa bayan.”

Mayor Letargo also emphasized that Gumaca continues to champion sustainable development as the guiding principle of its governance and long-term planning efforts. He explained that this approach ensures that current programs are responsive to present needs while conscientiously safeguarding the future welfare of Gumaqueños.

At the heart of this accomplishment is a coordinated and unified effort across various sectors of the local government, working together toward shared development goals. The Hall of Fame distinction recognizes the teamwork of municipal officials, planning staff, department heads, and community members who actively support and participate in development programs.

The award was formally received by Mayor Letargo alongside Municipal Planning and Development Coordinator Jefferson Uy, EnP, who continues to lead the formulation of programs focused on sustainable and inclusive growth. The municipality also acknowledged the significant contributions of former MPDC Geminina Fernando for her role in strengthening the town’s planning framework.

The recognition was personally conferred by Governor Dr. Helen Tan, who continues to support local governments in strengthening governance standards across Quezon Province. Other municipalities, including Plaridel and Candelaria, also received recognition in the field of planning during the ceremony.

The Gawad Husay sa Pagpaplano is a recognition program of the DHSUD that honors LGUs that demonstrate strong capability in preparing local development plans anchored on sound planning principles. It also recognizes the proper and effective implementation of programs that promote sustainable and inclusive growth at the local level.

Overall, this recognition highlights the municipality’s consistency and creativity in preparing and carrying out programs that directly benefit its residents. The Hall of Fame distinction affirms Gumaca’s enduring commitment to good governance, responsible planning, and meaningful public service delivery.