ILOILO CITY – Iloilo Gov. Arthur “Toto” Defensor Jr. was named as Outstanding Local Chief Executive in the Visayas for the provincial category for his administration’s programs in promoting social welfare.

DEFENSOR (Tara Yap)
The Association of Local Social Welfare and Development Officers of the Philippines Inc. (ALSWDOPI) will bestow the Gawad Parangal to Defensor next month.
“The innovative programs and services of your administration in uplifting the general well-being of the marginalized and vulnerable sectors of your locality are highly commendable which put your Gawad Parangal nomination for Social Welfare and Development Champions on top of the rank,” said ALSWDOPI President Jhunleymar D. Abella in a letter.
The award was based on 2021-2023 services, innovations, and initiatives of the Defensor administration through the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office led by Sarah Barayuga.
Mayor Rafael Enrique P. Lazaro of Pototan won as the Outstanding Local Chief Executive of the Philippines for the 1st to 3rd Class Municipality Category for Visayas.