President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo conferred the awards to outstanding barangay Dispute-Mediator Councils or “Lupong Tagapamayapa” that have shown exemplary performance in promoting peace, harmony and solidarity in their areas of responsibility, in a simple ceremony at Rizal Hall in Malacanang last August 12, 2009, way past noon.

Leading the Lupong Tagapamayapa Incentive awardees was GenSan’s very own Lupong Tagapamayapa of Barangay Katangawan, who was adjuged the Most Outstanding in the Highly-Urbanized Cities category.  See related story by clicking here.

First runner-up was Barangay East Tapinac in Olongapo City, while the 2nd runner-up was Barangay Gusa of Cagayan de Oro City.

Pres. Gloria Arroyo handing over the throphy to Katangawan Captain Remy Herceda as the other cabinet officers look on. Behind him are City Councilor Odjok Acharon and DILGs Rudolfo Bernardino.

Pres. Gloria Arroyo handing over the throphy to Katangawan Captain Remy Herceda as the other cabinet officers including DILG Sec Ronnie Puno, DND Sec Gilbert Teodoro, DOJ Acting Sec Agnes Devanadera, SC Spokesman Atty. Jose Midas Marquez, look on. Behind him are City Councilor Odjok Acharon and DILG’s Rudolfo Bernardino.

Barangay Katangawan’s LP and the rest were judged according to the efficiency of their operations, effectiveness in securing the objectives of the Katarungang Pambarangay Program, creativity and resourcefulness as mediators and conciliators through sustained advocacy efforts in the promotion of Katarungang Pambarangay.

The GenSan Team to Malacanang was led by City Councilor Odjok Acharon, subbing for Mayor Jun Acharon; City Mayor’s Office Chief of Staff Ernie Quisay; DILG City Director Rudolfo Bernardino; Barangay Katangawan Captain Remy Herceda and his council members, City Prosecutor Office’s Atty. Jose Blanza, and official documenter Bariles himself.

The Team learned later that the rites for the  2009 Gawad Kalasag Awards will also be conducted back-to-back with the Lupong Tagapamayapa Incentives Awards.

Barangay Katangawan Council Officers with (seated from left) GenSan City Mayors Office Chief of Staff Ernie Quisay, City Councilor Odjok Acharon, Barangay Captain Remy Herceda, DILG City Director Rudolfo Bernardino.

Barangay Katangawan Council Officers with (seated from left) GenSan City Mayor’s Office Chief of Staff Ernie Quisay, City Councilor Odjok Acharon, Barangay Captain Remy Herceda, DILG City Director Rudolfo Bernardino.

Now here are exclusive Malacanang Palace photos by Bariles, thanks to his Media Accreditation Pass given by the Office of the Press Secretary-MARO (Media Accreditation & Relations Office), which he had to visit at the basement of the new Executive Building behind Gate 1:

Men in Barong wait in line at the Entrance to Gate 1 of Malacanang Palace

Malacanang Palace, photo shot from the Guard House of Gate 1
Malacanang Palace, photo shot from the Guard House of Gate 1
The History of the Malacanang Palace, as documented in this slab found at the wall of the entrance lobby of the building housing the Rizal Hall.
The History of the Malacanang Palace, as documented in this slab found at the wall of the entrance lobby of the building housing the Rizal Hall.
The carpeted stairs leading to the Gallery of Presidents which one has to pass to get to the Rizal Hall.
The carpeted stairs leading to the Gallery of Presidents which one has to pass to get to the Rizal Hall.
Secretary of National Defense Gilbert Teodora and PNP Chief General Jesus Versoza entering the Rizal Hall through the Gallery of Presidents.
Secretary of National Defense Gilbert Teodora and PNP Chief General Jesus Versoza entering the Rizal Hall through the Gallery of Presidents.
The left wall of the Gallery of Presidents adorned with paintings of past and departed Presidents of the Philippines.
The left wall of the Gallery of Presidents adorned with paintings of past and departed Presidents of the Philippines.
Paintings of late presidents Cory Aquino and Ferdinand Marcos.
Paintings of late presidents Cory Aquino and Ferdinand Marcos.
Painting of Pres. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo at the center of the left wall of the Gallery of Presidents.
Painting of Pres. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo at the center of the left wall of the Gallery of Presidents.
Pres. Gloria Macapagal Arroyos Podium
Pres. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s Podium
Chief of Staff Ernie Quisay wait it out at the Rizal Hall at the 2nd floor of the New Executive Building, an hour before PGMAs arrival for the Lupong Tagapamayapa Incentives Awards and Kalasag Awards.
Chief of Staff Ernie Quisay wait it out at the Rizal Hall at the 2nd floor of the New Executive Building, an hour before PGMA’s arrival for the conferment of the Lupong Tagapamayapa and Kalasag Awards.

A painting of Dr. Jose Rizal hanging at the rear glass wall of Rizal Hall.

PNP 12 Regional Director Jake Cataluna (left) and unnamed companion smile for Bariles camera while waiting for PGMA to arrive. The top PNP brass were there for the Kalasag Awards.
PNP 12 Regional Director Jake Cataluna (left) and unnamed companion smile for Bariles’ camera while waiting for PGMA to arrive. The top PNP brass were there for the Kalasag Awards.

Pres. Arroyo signs RA 9708 which give s policemen five more years to comply with the education requirements for police officers, among other things.
Pres. Arroyo signs RA 9708 which give s policemen five more years to comply with the education requirements for police officers, among other things.
The President all alone on the stage while waiting for the Awarding Ceremonies for Lupong Tagapamayapa and Kalasag to start. Take note of the towering flower arrangments behind her.
The President all alone on the stage while waiting for the Awarding Ceremonies for Lupong Tagapamayapa and Kalasag to start. Take note of the towering flower arrangments behind her.
The Awarding proceedings at Rizal Hall
The Awarding proceedings at Rizal Hall
Paintings of former Presidents Estrada and Ramos side by side at the Gallery of Presidents.
Paintings of former Presidents Estrada and Ramos side by side at the Gallery of Presidents.
The Malacanang Presidential Seal stitched on every back rest of the chairs at the Rizal Hall
The Malacanang Presidential Seal stitched on every back rest of the chairs at the Rizal Hall
6-year old Angelo Lungkay, of Barangay Desawo, Tboli, South Cotabato, the youngest 2009 Gawad Kalasag Awardee carry his plaque he got from PGMA earlier while posing for the camera with Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodor, PNP 12 Regional Director Jake Cataluna, his father, among others.
6-year old Angelo Lungkay, of Barangay Desawo, T’boli, South Cotabato, the youngest 2009 Gawad Kalasag Awardee carry his plaque he got from PGMA earlier while posing for the camera with Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, PNP 12 Regional Director Jake Cataluna, and his father, among others.
A house across the Pasig River as seen through a decorative wall panel at the Rizal Hall.
A house across the Pasig River as seen through a decorative wall panel at the Rizal Hall.
The Heroes Hall at the ground floor of the Malacanang Palace, transformed into a Dining Area after the Lupong and Kalasag Awards rites.
The Heroes Hall at the ground floor of the Malacanang Palace, transformed into a Dining Area after the Lupong and Kalasag Awards rites.
A mural of heroes at the Heroes Hall
A mural of heroes at the Heroes Hall
Portraits of dead heroes line up a wall of Heroes Hall. Do you recognize them?
Portraits of dead heroes line up a wall of Heroes Hall. Do you recognize them?
The fountain across the building housing the Rizal Hall.
The fountain across the building housing the Rizal Hall.
Team GenSan pose in front of the Gate 1 of Malacanang Palace after the awarding rites.
Team GenSan pose in front of the Gate 1 of Malacanang Palace after the awarding rites.

And lastly, here is the money shot.

Bariles, the Fishman, inside Malacanang Palace.
Bariles, the Fishman, inside Malacanang Palace.