For contributing to the promotion of a strong and sustained partnership and cooperation between the LGU and NGO leading to an accelerated socio-economic development of the Ilocos Region, for serving as a model in the promotion of efficient and transparent local governance practices in Region I and for serving as model of highly productive and effective management of LGU projects in Region I, the Regional Development Council (RDC) in Region I proclaimed the municipality of San Nicolas as grand slam winner in three awards particularly: Champion, Best LGU-NGO Project-Based Practices for CY 2009, 1st runner-up, Best Performing Local Government Unit based on the Local Governance Performance Management System (LGPMS) for CY 2008 and 1st runner-up, Best LGU Practices for CY 2009 for 1st-3rd class municipal category.
The entry, “Water for Life: The LGU-Farmer-Irrigators’ Partnership” bested other entries in the region by having a 97.35% rating in the search for Best LGU-NGO Project-Based Practices for CY 2009. The entries Barangay Nutrition Scholars of the municipality of Solsona, Ilocos Norte and Partnership with LGUs of the municipality of Sta. Catalina, Ilocos Sur placed first and second runners-up, respectively.
The municipality’s entry to the above-mentioned search spoke of how the municipal government ventured into a partnership with the San Nicolas’ farmers and irrigators as it helped the association to rise from bankruptcy through innovative programs and projects directed to poverty alleviation and empowerment of citizens.
In 2008, the municipality was adjudged 2nd runner-up in the same award search for the entry, “I have a dream”, giving emphasis on the partnership of the LGU and the San Nicolas Express Bin-I Foundation Inc. in supporting the financially-challenged students in their education, thus, improving the lives of the San Nicoleños.
In the search for the Best Performing Local Government Unit based on the LGPMS for CY 2008 for the 1st-3rd class municipal category, the municipality of Tagudin, Ilocos Sur bagged the championship trophy while the municipality of Naguilian, La Union garnered second runner-up. From 2006-2008, San Nicolas has been Ilocos Norte’s provincial champion and has maintained its rank as 1st runner-up in the Region.

“Damili: Enhancing the Legacy of the Earth to the San Nicoleño” is the municipality’s entry to the search for Best LGU Practices for CY 2009 which bagged the 1st runner-up award. Other awardees were the municipality of Tagudin, Ilocos Sur as the champion for the entry “Edukasyon para iti amin” and Laoag City as 2nd runner-up for the entry “Integrated services for differently-abled persons.” The municipality placed 1st runner-up for the entry “Off-Season Vegetable Production with the incorporation of Integrated Pest Management” in 2005, 2nd runner-up in 2007 for the entry “Sustainable Mini-Farming Through Bio-Intensive Gardening”, 1st runner-up in 2008 for the entry : “Damili: The Earth as a Way of Life of the San Nicoleño”.
Mayor Alfredo P. Valdez, Jr. said that the honor came as a result of the combined efforts of the three actors of development namely the government, private sector and citizenry.
“These awards not only spoke of the municipality’s ardent desire in making San Nicolas the best place to live, work and invest but also manifested the government’s genuine resolve to provide what San Nicoleños really deserve and that, we are undoubtedly moving forward in the right direction. Hence, the recognitions are shared to everybody because these are the outcome of our strong partnership, unity and cooperation,” Valdez said.
The validation visit for the search for the Best Performing Local Government Unit was conducted in December 2009 while the search Best LGU-NGO Project-Based Practices and Best LGU Practices were held last January 15 and 21, respectively.
The awards were conferred to the municipality during the RDC Awarding ceremonies coinciding with the RDC Ilocos-Pangasinan Region Council Proper Meeting on February 24, 2010 at Rosebowl Restaurant, Pagdalagan Sur, Bauang, La Union.