With the launching of the Daluyan Souvenir Shop and Daluyan Souvenirs on Wheels, presumptive Valenzuela City 1st district representative Mayor REX Gatchalian already sees a high possibility that the Tagalag Fishing Village would become one of the country's famous tourist sites.

The six months of preparation by the Tagalag Youth Organization have been worth it after getting the nod of Mayor REX, who initially proposed the income-generating project. Tagalag Sangguniang Kabataan Chairman Arcee Dayego heads the youth organization with youth leaders Ashley Gimpayan, Mary Antonnette Pasco and Aizie Mae Picaña, and Francis Potencilla as its members. 

The newly inaugurated "Daluyan Souvenirs Shop and Daluyan Souvenirs on Wheels aim to help further develop the Tagalag Fishing Village that recently garnered a citation from the Galing Pook Awards last year.

Mayor REX shared that Tagalag Fishing Village's only shortage is the lack of people's participation.

"Sabi nila, Mayor pag nanalo kayong Galing Pook awardee, isa sa mga room for improvements ninyo, 'yung kailangan buong komunidad pati kabataan kasama sa proyekto." ["They told me that when Tagalag Fishing Village wins, one room for improvements is the creation of projects that would benefit the entire community,"] Mayor noted.

The opening of the shops in the fishing village was made possible after the cash prize given by the Galing Pook Awards in October 2021. 

Chairman Arcee, his council members and the rest of the active youth leaders spent six months renovating the interior of the 2nd floor of the Tagalag Fishing Village Visitors Center previously used as Barangay police headquarters to be their shop.

The team also discovered the hidden talent of Tagalag youths in making wallets and accessories, and bags while they were searching for affordable products to sell.

Chairman Arcee, in his brief remarks, noted they intentionally used the term "Daluyan" to convey that the project is all about "cycle," which means that its income and benefits would not be stagnant. Revenue generated from the project will be used to fund education and other innovative projects for the youth. 

Meanwhile, Mayor-elect, Deputy Speaker WES Gatchalian vowed to extend help by negotiating with the Department of Trade and Industry to promote and improve the project.

Other beneficiary of Galing Pook Awards is Baranggay Gen. T. De Leon. The "Valenzuela live" that also won in Galing Pook Awards would be improved and be used in the entire barangay to bring it closer to the City's residents.

The programs will be monitored by their respective Sangguniang Kabataan and City Social Welfare Development Office (CSWDO) to ensure the program's success.

Galing Pook Awards is a prestigious award-giving body for local government units. Valenzuela City has garnered a total of seven trophies in the past. It only proves that the City can effectively deliver excellent programs and services beneficial to its residents. The Paspas permit program was also one of the three Galing Pook Awards winners in 2021. 

###