Pimentel said the award seeks to inspire local government leaders to be innovative, dynamic and efficient in community-building and problem-solving.
"With this leadership award program, we will promote the qualities, skills and strategies of a good leader in local governance who will serve as a model and inspiration to other officials," he said during the simple launching ceremonies at the Padilla Room of the Senate building.
Heads of other sponsoring institutions also spoke at the launching ceremonies: Dr. Alex Brillantes Jr., director of the Center for Local and Regional Performance of the National College of Public Administration and Governance of the University of the Philippines; Dr. Prospero de Vera, director of the Center for Leadership, Citizens and Democracy of NCPAG-UP; and Dr. Francisco Magno, executive director of the De La Salle Institute of Governance.
The launching of the leadership award coincided with the 68th birthday of Pimentel, the acknowledged father of local autonomy in the country.
The launch also fell on the 10th anniversary of the Local Government Code (Republic Act 7160) of which Pimentel is the principal author.
Government agencies, academic institutions, non-government organizations, private firms and individuals who have personal knowledge of the performance of exemplary local government executives are encouraged to submit their nominations to the screening committee or any of the organizing institutions.
The awarding ceremonies are slated on Oct. 10 next year.