Most Outstanding Mayor 2014

MOST OUTSTANDING MAYOR AWARD

2014

Most Outstanding Mayor Award 2014

CREDITS

CHAIRMAN Superbrand Marketing International Inc. Karl McLean PRESIDENT & CEO Superbrand Marketing International Inc. Harry Tambuatco MARKETING DIRECTOR Superbrand Marketing International Inc. Larry Brouhard LEGAL COUNSEL Atty. Sara Jane Suguitan SENIOR MARKETING MANAGER Kenneth Rocete GRAPHIC DESIGNER Richelle Lim MARKETING STAFF Corazon Villanueva FINANCE Nelia Villarete SMI offices are located at the Makati Central Business District with address: 1908 – 88 Corporate Center Building 141 Sedeño Street corner Valero, Salcedo Village Makati City Tel. 728-8880 Fax. 7581220 www.superbrands.com.ph The logo is subject to copyright of Superbrand Marketing International Inc. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or any other storage or retrieval system relating too all or part of the text, photographs, or logo types without written permission of the publishers.

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Most Outstanding Mayor Award 2014

FOREWORD

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randing is all about a product whose deliverables need to be consistent to make a brand. There is no room for excuses and failure is not an option. Addressing inevitable issues head-on is a matter of strategy and the only option with strategic management that is forthright. Only with consistency can integrity be developed.

There is a dire need to generate an awareness for the brands that are established over years of service for our country. While there are multiple award-giving bodies in the Philippines, there stands a dearth for the global brand arbiter to identify and celebrate our dignitaries.

Enter SMI. Superbrands Marketing International Inc. is a multinational that qualifies eligible BRANDS to enter into the realm of marketing success. We are the ONLY international Award-giving body on Marketing/Branding in the Philippines, known as the global brand arbiter. A Superbrand pays tribute to the strongest brands in the country. Over the past eighteen years, our organization has produced high quality publications that serve and promote over 14,000 of the greatest brands in 88 countries worldwide. Internationally, our “coffee table” books have proved successful and are highly respected.

Superbrands have built a significant audience and recognition for the brands it features through extensive distribution in both local and international markets as well as our numerous public relations programs.

A Mayor Is the chief executive officer for local governments be it a city and or municipality. The mandate a Mayor receives immediately identifies his “outstanding “status that cannot be contested. He or she enjoys the trust and confidence of the population that make up their constituents.

An Outstanding Mayor Is bestowed to deserving Mayors whose projects are noteworthy for the improvement of his city. Their active participation with civil society and leadership qualities become a template for their successors. He/she becomes the role model for the local governments’ administration and effective management for services for the people.

Most Outstanding Mayor This Very Important Person or VIP, whose actions and opinions strongly influence the course of events, is part and parcel of the character of a leader, a nation builder, a statesman and A Most Outstanding Mayor. This government chief executive becomes the brand necessary for the city to strive to be the best amongst the best charting innovations for services delivered and aspirations for its citizens to follow.

This is the objective of this award and the effort to cite them, their achievements and their information to promote their cities, their successes and contributions that painstakingly piece together what we collectively enjoy in our country today. These awards and citations have a singular purpose—to educate and inform the publication’s readers.

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Most Outstanding Mayor Award 2014

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Most Outstanding Mayor Award 2014

CONTENTS

Hon. Bernard Faustino La madrid Dy Cauayan City, Isabela..........................................................6 Hon. Maria Belen “Maribel” A. Eusebio City Government of Pasig.................................................. 10 Mayor Raulito “Amboy” T. Manlapaz Sr. Municipality of Hagonoy, Province of Bulacan............... 14 Hon. Ryan Paolo V. Mencias Government of Alcala, Pangasinan.................................. 18 Mayor Eduardo Emor Ong, Jr. Municipality of Irosin, Sorsogon......................................22 Hon. Pablo Campos Ortega City Government of San Fernando, La Union, Philippines.........................................................26 Hon. Ricarte R. Padilla Jose Panganiban, Camarines Norte.................................30 Mayor Edgardo D. Pamintuan Angeles City, Pampanga....................................................34 Hon. Reynaldo O. Parojinog, Sr. City Government of Ozamiz, Misamis Occidental............38 Hon. Rodrigo L. Rafael Municipality of Natividad, Pangasinan...........................42 Hon. Mayor Meynardo A. Sabili Lipa City, Batangas...........................................................46

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Most Outstanding Mayor Award 2014

Cauayan City: The Ideal City of the North Hon. Bernard Faustino La Madrid Dy City Mayor Cauayan City, Isabela

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t is with appreciation and pride as I thank the members and organizers of the Superbrand Marketing International (SMI) for having me nominated to participate in the Most Outstanding Mayor Award. Such recognition moved to inspire me and the whole City Government of Cauayan City to become more united and committed in serving our people and in reaching our goal of making Cauayan City the Ideal City of the North. I wish more success to this organization’s future endeavors and to my fellow local chief executives towards each and everyone’s goal of bringing significant changes in our respective local governments.

Mayor Bernard Faustino La Madrid Dy was born on May 30, 1979.

He finished B.S. Business Administration Major in International Business at University of California Riverside and obtained a masteral degree in Organization Development from Southeast Asia Interdisciplinary Development Institute. Before being elected as the City Mayor, he was the Vice President of the University of Perpetual Help System-Isabela and an Executive Committee Member of University of Perpetual Help-Isabela Management Inc. from 2004 to 2012. He has been an active member of Junior Chamber International (JCI), an organization with the advocacy of bringing positive global change, where he became the Charter President of JCI Cauayan Bamboo in 2003, the National President of JCI Philippines in 2011, and was elected as the Vice President of JCI International in 2013. He also actively participated in organizations such as World Youth Alliance, Gawad Kalinga, where he headed the Isabela Province Chapter, president of PetcR2 (Coalition for Clean Air Advocates), and Vice President of Philippine Field Hockey. At the age of 34, he is the young and active Local Chief Executive of Cauayan City, with the heart to serve and the commitment and dedication to make Cauayan City the Ideal City of the North.

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Most Outstanding Mayor Award 2014

It is the thrust of the City Government of Cauayan City to make it the ideal place where everything you are looking for can possibly be found; the center for business, education, career opportunities, leisure and recreation; the best place for building a family life, a God-centered community of empowered citizenry with rich culture, a healthy, clean and peaceful environment, under the leadership of an honest, innovative, and citizen-oriented government. The accomplishments below signify how much we have become so far and what else has to be done in reaching our goal of truly making Cauayan City the Ideal City of the North.

Center for Business in Region 2 We want to increase Cauayan City’s potential to be the center for business and investment in Cagayan Valley. With that, we welcomed the entry and establishment of multi-national companies such as the SM City Cauayan and Robinson’s Place, upgraded the Cauayan City Public Market into Greenway Market, in partnership with LKY Development Corporation, institutionalized the Business Permit and Licensing Office as a separate department to accessibly cater the entry of new and big businesses, created an Entrepreneurship Office to enhance the city’s entrepreneurs, promoted Cauayan City’s mushroom industry, we being the Mushroom City of the North, and advancement of the production of rice, corn, vegetables, and livestock.

Citizen-Oriented Government (Social Responsibility) We commit to provide the best of social services for our dear Cauayenos such as education and career opportunities, health, and infrastructures.

Education and Career Development For education, we granted scholarship programs to underprivileged yet deserving college students, conducted meetings and discussions with the members of the Cauayan City Scholarship Governing Board for new policies in Scholarship Program, distributed school supplies and school bags for elementary students, supported the Isabela School for the Blind and our Special Education (SPED) Center in programs that aim towards self-development, participated in SM Cauayan Job Fair and the Eco-fuel Land Development, Inc. and Green Future Innovation, Inc. Job Fair to support our youth from education to employment and career development, participated in the celebration of Teacher’s Day to recognize the contributions of teachers in uplifting our educational system, and supported the Interschool Basketball Competition among the students from different schools as well as the Intertown Basketball Competition where Cauayan City placed as winner

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Most Outstanding Mayor Award 2014 Health We aim to promote a healthy citizenry in Cauayan City.

Therefore, our efforts continuously focus on projects such as breastfeeding and feeding programs to prevent malnutrition, celebration of and participation in nutrition month, the national disability prevention and rehabilitation week, Elderly Week, Alay Lakad: The Ben Annual Walk for a Cause and the Senior Citizens’ Affair, medical, dental, and optical missions in different barangays to cater the health needs of the people, especially the senior citizens and the handicapped, distribution of mosquito nets as dengue prevention campaign, implementation of the “Alkansiya Para sa Buntis” program to give financial assistance to pregnant women, and budget has been allotted for the construction of additional buildings for Rural Health Units (RHU) I and RHU II, lying-in clinic in RHU II, RHU III in Tanap region, and the Phil Health coverage of indigents for immunization, anti-rabies and dengue prevention.

Our concerted commitment in providing such health programs made us deserving to be awarded as the 2013 National and Regional Outstanding Winner in Nutrition.

Infrastructure Infrastructures are also among the top priorities of this administration. At the end of December 2013, six projects have already been completed such as the Multi-Purpose Building in Sitio Manalpaac and electrification of fifty housing units in Sitio Manalpaac, Barangay San Pablo, three road openings in Dacanay Estate, Coloma Subdivision, and Bala Street, San Fermin, and awarding of Home Lot Certificate to sixty eight beneficiaries in Barangay San Fermin. More projects are for completion such as the construction of Bahay Pag-asa in Barangay San Pablo, completion of the Birthing Center in RHU II in Villa Luna, upgrading of the stage and roofing of the Multi-Purpose Building in DepEd Division Office, Small Water Impounding Project in Barangay Baculod, Juvenile Delinquent and Rehabilitation Center in Sitio Manalpaac, the buildings of the Philippine National Police, Bureau of Fire Protection, Bureau of Jail and Management Penology, and the City Diagnostic Center, at Central Terminal, Barangay Cabaruan, drainage construction in Africano, F. Bucag, C. Lucas, and Carnation Streets, installation of street lights in Poblacion, construction of City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office which will serve as the City’s public safety answering point for fire, rescue, and other emergencies, and renaming of the Cauayan City Airport into F.L.Dy Airport.

There are more infrastructures for conception by 2014 such as construction of the Cauayan City Park, City Museum, Cauayan

City Sports and Recreation Arena, Waste Water Treatment Plant, olympics-sized public swimming pool, expansion of transportlinks, road construction projects with drainages and bridge component from the P150 million loan from Land Bank of the Philippines.

Collaborative Government The City Government has adopted strategies to strengthen the cooperation among its departments and partners. We started with a team-building during the Executive and Legislative Agenda (ELA) Seminar, actively participated by the members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod and the City Department Heads and held council meetings and seminars with different departments and organizations for programs such as nutrition, education, security, tourism, social welfare, local governance, environment and sanitary management, and economic development. We also in partnership with the newly elected officers of the Liga ng mga Barangay and actively participated in the Oath Taking Ceremony of the newly elected Barangay officials and testimonial lunch for the outgoing Barangay Captains. We also created the Federation of Student Government Council aiming to enhance the leadership skills of students.

Honest Government As a government of transparency and accountability, we re-launched the Good Morning Isabela program and utilized the Cauayan City Official Website with the aim of making our people more involved, interactive, and informed about all the transactions of our City Government. We implemented a computerization project for the inclusion of information systems in the different departments to prevent red-tape transactions and upgrading of our official website to allow online transactions for the payment of taxes, fees, and other city charges, thus, we created the City Information Technology and Communications Office.

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Most Outstanding Mayor Award 2014

Innovative Government New strategies have been adopted by the City Government in order to strengthen our service to our people. These include the incorporation of the Public-Private Partnership Code where we involve the private sector in the implementation of projects and social services, participation in the PPP-LGU Reform and Development Strategy Seminar to effectively implement the PPP Code, creation of sisterhood with Fangchenggang City, China and Yamagata, Japan for the expansion of our network as well as the advancement of our economic vitality, participation in the China-ASEAN Exposition, and innovation of the Cauayan City Identification System which will allow all Cauayenos to have priority access to the facilities and services of the City Government.

Out-reaching Government The City Government extended its help through the initiation of the “Isang Lungsod, Tulong sa Timog” program for the victims of typhoon Yolanda, organization of the Paskuhan sa Cauayan 2013, Wish Ko Ngayong Pasko, Cauayan City Night Market, Gift-giving program in all the barangays of Cauayan City, and held Christmas parties for the indigents and street children. We created the Urban Poor Development Office to strengthen the projects for the needy.

Healthy, Clean, and Peaceful Environment (Environmental Responsibility) As advocate of a healthy, clean, and green environment, the City Government mobilized the Cauayan City Highway Patrol Group and added two PNP mobile patrol cars to keep a closer monitoring of order in the city, participated in the ElectionPeace Covenant Signing for safe and peaceful barangay elections, implemented the Oplan Undas Re-routing Plan during the observance of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day, constructed the Quick Response Office along the National Highway to enable Rescue 922 team to respond immediately in cases of emergency, distributed the Cauayan City Emergency Handbook: Be Safe, BE ReaDY to instill awareness among the people in cases of exigencies, participated in the National Greening Program Activity where we planted trees in different barrios in the city, joined with JCI-Cauayan in the Liter of Light Program which provided ecofriendly solar bottle bulbs to some barangays, and outsourced our garbage collection for an improved solid waste disposal.

Rich Culture The City Government participated in activities that take pride of who we are as a Cauayeno, Isabelino, and a Filipino like in the City’s Patronal Fiesta and Bambanti Festiva. We are pushing for the creation of the Cauayan City Museum for the promotion and preservation of Cauayan City’s rich and diverse culture.

We also set plans for prioritization and inclusion in the City Development Plan and City Land Use Plan. For socioeconomic, they are the Tabakalera and San Luis Development Plan, Industrialization Program, Housing Program (Socialized Housing), Rural Side Development, Public-Private Partnership, Investment Programs outside Isabela, School/ Education Institution Partnerships, SM Partnership Program, Cauayan City Sports and Recreation Center, Investment Incentives, Business Commerce, and Income-generating Projects. For institutional, these include Market Development, Traffic Regulations, Adoption of National Programs for LGU’s, and Cemetery Regulations. For physical plans, these are the Underground Power lines and Road Expansion Plans.

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Most Outstanding Mayor Award 2014

“Serbisyong may Puso” Hon. Maria Belen “Maribel” A. Eusebio Mayor City Government of Pasig

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ast May 2013, Maribel Andaya Eusebio’s first foray into politics was given by Pasigueños their wholehearted stamp of approval as seen by the highest number of votes garnered by any candidate in the history of Pasig politics and the widest margin against an opponent.

Armed with this great and overwhelming mandate, Mayor Maribel started her term with strong conviction and a clear vision of the direction she has set forth to attain her platform of governance.

According to Mayor Maribel, “Pasig City has proven that with political will and a comprehensive range of public service, inclusive sustainable development can be achieved. Pasig will go beyond just being a Green City by taking the best approaches to sustainable development and environmental management as well as aiming always to improve the quality of life of its resident, Pasig City will be an Ecopolis.

The “Ecopolis” concept pertains to the greening of cities, where regenerative urban development and strategic urban management are targeted in order to sustain the natural world we live in even with a highly urbanized commercial district set up. This dream of Mayor Maribel is the goal for the community that she leads. To date Mayor Maribel as she is fondly called has identified strategic avenues to make this dream a reality for the “Pasigueños” of today.

To quote excerpts from her first 100 days message, “we intend not merely to push ahead building on my predecessors’ solid developmental programs but more importantly, to review our delivery plans and ensure that we set programs in place that are relevant, dynamic and innovative. Faster, higher, better is our mantra.”

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Most Outstanding Mayor Award 2014

Maribel was born to the late Rita and Rolando Andaya, a seasoned politician from the province of Camarines Sur. Growing up, she was the apple of the eye of everyone being the only daughter of the Andayas.

livelihood programs for 10 years which under her strong determination and leadership has significantly grown.

She attended one of the best private and public schools in the country as she went to the De La SalleSantiago Zobel School, a private Catholic school located in the south of Manila for her elementary and secondary education and graduated from the University of the Philippines with the degree in Bachelor of Science in Architecture.

While their responsibilities to the city put them frequently in the public eye, she and Mayor Bobby sought to give their only son a normal childhood. They supported his development, enrolling him in various workshops, encouraging him to the outdoors whenever possible as well as doing crafts to nourish his creativity. Maribel is a handson mom, accompanying the little boy from school to his extra-curricular activities, making time to attend parentteacher conferences and doing his assignments with him.

Her marriage to Robert “Bobby” Eusebio who was then a City Councilor in Pasig called for Maribel to be by her husband’s side during campaigns and, eventually, at official functions, something she had experienced having an astute public servant for a father. In time, she herself was called on to become actively involved in the City Government’s Gender and Development and

Maribel and Bobby have been married for 15 years.

She had been his number one supporter, his constant companion in official functions during Mayor Bobby’s term. He had always carried out his duties having Maribel by his side. And soon enough, Maribel entered public service (as a response to the clamor of the people) this time with Mayor Bobby by her side.

Feeding Program for indigent children Turnover of 12 million worth of equipment, vehicles and gadgets to the Pasig City Police.

100 Days Report – Demonstration of E-Learning capability of Pasig City

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Most Outstanding Mayor Award 2014

Actual inspection of an infrastructure project

Carless Day Program Launching at the Barangay

She, still is, a devoted wife even outside the public eye.

Like other normal couples, they watch movies, go on coffee dates and together joins the monthly Bike for Life events. Dinners are always taken together no matter where they are, while Sundays for the most part are spent with the family.

And as brilliant and strong-willed as she is, Mayor Maribel cultivated a genuine political will to serve her community and the Pasigueños having observed the high demand for public service from the youth, the aged, the women in Pasig apart from the other sectors such as the businessmen, the senior citizens and residents who all believed in the good governance and well-planned vision of the past Eusebio governance in their community.

Mayor Maribel did not just observe but listened with her heart and made sure that what she saw from the needs of the Pasigueños will be considered in her own mission as the Mayor of Pasig City.

Internationally Recognized Pasigueños A practicing Catholic and a God-fearing woman, Mayor Maribel has been very active with her advocacies that pay deep attention with youth and women empowerment. Her love for Pasigueños is solid and true that her leadership commands

Mayor Maribel and Bobby Eusebio enjoy the regular Bike for Life event

excellence and truthfulness in her job. Her past accomplishments include being the President of the Girls Scout Pasig Council, the Chairperson of POWER or Pasigueñas Organization for Women Empowerment and Recognition, the Chairperson of the Pasig Livelihood Foundation, an active member of Catholic Women’s League, former Treasurer and Board member of the Metro Manila Mayors Spouses Foundation, Inc. Under her leadership which commenced very recently, Mayor Maribel was already able to make Pasig City a consistent awardee from various local and international recognitiongiving bodies. Amongst the awards Pasig obtained include Most Outstanding LGU in NCR Cooperative Development Office for 2013 which was given by the Cooperative Development Authority during the CDA-NCR Gawad Parangal 2013, the Gawad Kalasag 2013 Best Hospital run by a local government unit for Pasig City General Hospital, and more importantly the Regional and National Awardee as Best Emergency Managers for a highly urbanized city.

Their vision of turning Pasig City as a Green City is finally coming to fruition as it recently gained recognition from the International Liveable Communities Livecom Awards held in Xiamen China recently. These awards are Gold Award

Medical Mission during the regular Super Lingap sa Barangay

Receiving the Best Emergency Manager Award trophy during the Gawad Kalasag Regional Awards

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Turnover of 1 million assistance for indigent Pasigueño patients of Rizal Medical Center

Most Outstanding Mayor Award 2014

Water Lily community livelihood program

for category E-population over 400,000; another gold for Strategic Planning, a gold with cash for the Bursary Award for Environmental Security for Preschools Project, Silver Award for Share the Road-Carless Sunday project and a Bronze award for Pasig Green City program.

Mayor Maribel with graduates of the Pasig City Institute of Science and Technology

Without an air of arrogance, her bright smile motherly attitude and genuine love for what she is doing make it very easy for the Pasigueños to approach her and create a dialogue with her regarding the needs in their specific barangays, therefore making resolution and projects more efficient as her services are

From January to February 2014, Mayor Maribel has already inaugurated 38 projects which are all significant for the execution of public service in various aspects such as transportation, health and well-being, education and youth, women and children and other recreational projects that uplift culture and Filipino-ness of Pasigueños, all incorporated in her platform of governance PASIGENYO.

geared towards people-centered approach.

Perhaps what is very admirable about her is her humble leadership that likewise draws her close to all the Pasigueños including the heart of the masses.

being known to be of service to every Pasigueño, working for

A devoted wife, a caring mother, a sensitive and compassionate leader to her constituents, Pasig City’s pride, Mayor Maribel Eusebio has truly proven that being a leader means more than just being popular in number but rather its their well being and helping them become better human beings of this world.

Pasig City, an Ecopolis in progress

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Most Outstanding Mayor Award 2014

Laging tandaan, “Ating Mahalin Bayang HagonOY!” Mayor Raulito “Amboy” T. Manlapaz Sr. Municipal Mayor Municipality of Hagonoy, Province of Bulacan

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n epitome of hope, illustration of perseverance, and embodiment of positive change- these genuine qualities of Mayor Raulito T. Manlapaz, Sr., remarkably known as “Mayor Amboy” by his constituents, made him won the hearts of every Hagonoeño in the previous May 2013 elections.

As a person who worked at a young age in fishponds and grew up with less fortune, Mayor Amboy had always envisioned a better life to live with. He strived hard to achieve comfort and sufficiency. Luckily, through God’s grace, he soon became a businessman and aqua culturist.

The moment he attained wellness, he nevertheless wanted to share, influence, and help others specifically the poor to realize the same by initiating and leading citizens into a more developed and advanced town.

When his term started in July 2013, Mayor Amboy immediately planned and executed projects built to uplift the lives of the people and to promote a town continuously growing and developing.

To start with, he focused with social services that the citizens needed tremendously such as: • Discounts to hospitalization and laboratory bills.

• Free medicines for indigent citizens.

• Medical missions to different barangays within the municipality.

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Most Outstanding Mayor Award 2014

Simultaneously, because of the town’s urgent needs to cope with regular flooding, Mayor Amboy decided to design projects inclined with road and establishment repairs and constructions to somehow solve this inevitable phenomenon.

Moreover, one of his priority infrastructure projects, the reconstruction of the municipality’s burned market, is currently ongoing. He firmly believes that this will provide a better venue for SMES’ to conduct their everyday business.

On the other hand, being unable to finish his studies as a consequence of poverty, Mayor Amboy is certain that education will be a strong foundation for the town’s movement towards betterment. As of the time being, the town has hundreds of scholars for elementary and secondary students, and screening for tertiary students is on-process.

For peace and security, he strengthened the implementation on existing rules and regulations for the general welfare of the public. Likewise, Mayor Amboy intensified his campaign towards illegal usage of drugs.

Through the assistance of the local police 22 suspects of drug pushers/users were arrested as of December 2013.

With his eagerness to respond towards globalization and climate change, he carried out projects and activities for environment responsibility and awareness. In order to fix the garbage disposal problem in the town, through analysis, he decided to purchase a backhoe to solve this. Since Hagonoy is a coastal area, he then actualized “Linis Ilog” project to achieve a cleaner river for he believes that people must give back what they took to nature and be responsible with the town’s major source of income.

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Most Outstanding Mayor Award 2014

Inch by inch, Mayor Amboy is taking precautionary steps towards disaster preparedness to avoid extreme damage and losses when such calamities arrive. In fact, during the typhoons Labuyo, and Maring, his administration instantly responded by allocating and giving out relief goods to the 26 barangays of the town. Also, through his efforts, a seminar pertaining to disaster preparedness is being done to every barangay to assure the readiness of every citizen.

As he knows that good governance promotes a better society, Mayor Amboy also focuses on motivating and driving the whole local government towards public service. He ensures that every employee is committed towards achieving a common goal, and that is to give the people quality services that they deserve. He is a great example of punctuality, never late with his appointments and responsibilities, a man of action, never failed to give out the services people asked for, and a father for every Hagonoeño, for he will always wholeheartedly serve his constitutents.

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All in all these are just few steps that Mayor Amboy is taking for the socio-economic growth of Hagonoy. This is just the start of something bigger brighter, and better for everyone.

Step by step, he will guide and lead his constituents towards a more progressive town capable of surpassing challenges and difficulties. As what he stands for “ Walang ibang magmamahal sa ating bayan kung hindi tayo, kaya’t laging tandaan, ating mahalin bayang Hagonoy!”.

Most Outstanding Mayor Award 2014

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Walang ibang magmamahal sa ating bayan kung hindi tayo, kaya’t laging tandaan, ating mahalin bayang Hagonoy!

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Most Outstanding Mayor Award 2014

“Sa grupo ni PAO… importante ay IKAW!” Hon. Ryan Paolo V. Mencias Municipal Mayor, Government of Alcala, Pangasinan

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uring the May 2013 elections, former councilor and that time incumbent Vice Mayor Ryan Paolo V. Mencias was gifted by the townspeople of Alcala with a mandate to perform as their mayor the challenging task of inspiring municipal hall employees to serve with industry, integrity, efficiency and utmost fidelity to duty and of exerting animating influence over people to support his various initiatives.

With his well established reputation as a public servant who had consistently rendered genuine service, he has that capacity to motivate the municipality’s workforce to attend with missionary zeal to the needs of the people in terms of education, health, social welfare, peace and order, livelihood generation among others.

To the full satisfaction of his constituents, Mencias demonstrated the admirable brand of public service that they deserve, leading the municipal government in a superb manner of notching stellar accomplishments in various areas of local governance.

The municipal government had successfully bagged the Seal of Good Housekeeping for which it received a congratulatory message from Department of Interior and Local Government Sec. Mar Roxas and admirably managed to qualify in the Bottom-Up Budgeting Program for which it received a grant of P15 million from the DILG.

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Most Outstanding Mayor Award 2014

Mencias is also known for his reverence to the Almighty.

As a God-fearing leader, Mencias acknowledges God for the triumph he had achieved in the last mayoral election. “We won’t be here to serve people were it not for Him,” he said in his inaugural address.

People tend to admire leaders who have accomplished numerous and huge projects and to appreciate less those who could not do as much.

But what they do not realize is that there is a big difference between a leader who has done many because of bigger resources and a leader who has done as much with less resources.

Mayor Mencias is the leader who has the ability to do much with his town’s limited means through his successful rallying of outpouring support.

He has made the municipal government highly deserving of overwhelming support owing to the very transparent manner by which government funds from various sources are wisely used.

Programs and Projects Before embarking on building his town to new heights, Mayor Mencias started his term right by reaching a hand of reconciliation to his political foes:

Agriculture One of the laudable results of this synergy is the almost completed Multi-Grain Processing Facility Center in barangay Bersamin. The post-harvest facility will benefit not only farmers in Alcala but also those from nearby towns.

This colossal multi-million-peso project was made possible through the support of former Rep. Mark Cojuangco and the Department of Agriculture.

Agriculture being Alcala’s major industry is Mencias’ top priority saying: “Hindi po sapat na mapakain lamang ng magsasaka ang kaniyang mga anak tatlong beses sa isang araw at mapagaral sila sa elementarya at high school. Pangarap ko po na mapag-aral din nila ang kanilang mga anak sa kolehiyo upang mabigyan din sila ng pagkakataong umunlad hindi lamang sa pamamagitan ng pagsasaka.”

Aside from farmers’ equipment, the municipal government enrolls farmers in various trainings on farming, subsidize their farmer-inputs, give them other means of livelihood, give them grants and even lend them corn seeds and fertilizers.

“Batid ang kahalagahan ng pagkakaisa, agad-agad po nating iniabot ang kamay ng pagkakasundo sa ating mga naging katunggali upang sila’y maging bahagi sa pagpanday ng magandang kinabukasan.”

With that and the support of the inspired greater masses and harmonious relationship with the local council, the thirdclass and IRA-dependent town of Alcala, under the Mencias administration has demonstrated stellar accomplishments in education, health, social welfare, environment, peace and order, livelihood generation among others.

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Most Outstanding Mayor Award 2014 Environment The local government’s performance in terms of environmental preservation has been duly recognized when the town was adjudged as finalist in the Search For Greenest, Safest And Cleanest Municipality by the provincial government.

The town scored high points owing to the proper and smooth operation of its controlled dumpsite and Material Recovery Facilities and the clean and orderly Municipal Park.

GOOD GOVERNANCE Disaster and Risk Management One of the most important community projects undertaken by Mencias is the enhancement of the town’s disaster preparedness.

Livelihood To help out-of-school-youth and the unemployed gain alternative means of livelihood, LGU-Alcala partnered with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority and the Luciano Millan Memorial School of Arts and Trades, producing 247 graduates in 2013 on several livelihood courses such as Shield Metal Arc Welding, Housekeeping, Food and Beverage Services and Commercial Cooking.

Mencias explained that the vigorous and sustained approach of the local government in implementing the said livelihood and agricultural programs is a guarantee that achieving the town’s vision of food sufficiency is well within reach.

Peace and Order The mayor attributes the ideal state of peace and order to the unity and cooperation between the local government and the Philippine National Police. “That’s why the recent elections (municipal and barangay) had been remarkably peaceful,” said the mayor.

Combating crimes, especially illegal drugs in Alcala, is not the PNP’s job alone. The cooperation of barangay officials, religious groups and an alert citizenry has been proven time and again to avert the commission of crimes.

Health The synergy goes on between the Mencias-led municipal government, fifth district Rep. Kimi Cojuangco and the provincial government under Governor Amado T. Espino Jr. in addressing the health concerns of Alcaleneans.

“Despite the limited funding of the local government, we were able to serve within a few months of my stay in office more than 20,807 Alcaleneans. We were able to give 800 senior citizens flu vaccines and pneumococcal vaccines. More than 200 dog-bite victims were given complete vaccines. Malnutrition rate decreased from 215 in 2012 to 193 in 2013 owing to our Feeding Program. PhilHealth enrollment has reached 5,000,” said Mayor Mencias during State of the Town Address last January.

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The municipal administration allocated for 2014 the amount of P3.7 million for a variety of pro-active measures to mitigate the disastrous effects of calamities.

The trust earned by Mencias as hardworking councilor and vice mayor and now as mayor with an unblemished track record has given his crusade against poverty a fighting chance.

“With other government entities and non-government organizations completely, sincerely and enthusiastically supporting the municipal government’s programs that promote health, generate livelihood and preserve peace, we cannot fail,” said Mencias.

Most Outstanding Mayor Award 2014

Mayor Mencias has also earned the trust of Alcalenean organizations in many parts of the globe who volunteered to keep intensifying Mencias’ programs and projects.

One of these programs which have a direct relieving effect to the poor is the “Free Medical-Dental-Surgical Missions” that has helped hundreds.

Another was the gift-giving project which highlighted the town’s founding anniversary last year benefitting more or less 2,500 families.

Search Finalist And perhaps the most admirable demonstration of synergy in Alcala was when virtually all the charitable Alcalenean organizations and individuals in various parts of the world and the local government of Alcala came together to make their dream to have a tourism site for their town come true.

“Together, we succeeded in giving a new wonderful look to our Municipal Plaza and, behold, it is this year’s lone contender or entry of Pangasinan in the Search for Best LGU-NGO partnership in Region 1,” the mayor said.

Website To demonstrate transparency and accountability, Mayor Mencias has caused the creation of the town’s website the alcalapangasinan.gov.ph. In the website all programs, projects, plans and policies of the local government are posted for people’s consumption.

According to one organization of publishers in Pangasinan, the Alcala website is one of the most active in the province.

Education The pursuit of quality education is among programs on top of the mayor’s order of priorities, he knowing that education is the key to a brighter and better future for his town’s youth.

“Despite our meager budget, we are implementing not a few projects this 2014. We are likewise granting scholarships to 25 high school graduates for them to pursue college education.

We have donated computers and air-condition units to school laboratories. We continue to support in-service trainings for teachers for them to be able to enhance their capacity to effectively teach their students,” said the mayor.

In December last year, he gifted teachers with books acquired with his own funds to further boost their teaching skills.

Intensely desirous to help the youth of his town get a better life through education, he financially assisted more or less 100 4th year students who wanted to become sea farers.

Infrastructure A number of infrastructure projects have been completed while others are in varying stages of construction among which are the following: 1) Multi-Grains Processing Facility Center 2) Landscaping of the Municipal Hall, Municipal Plaza, Municipal Auditorium and Old Public Market 3) Farm-to-market roads 4) Multi-purpose Halls/Evacuation Centers

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Most Outstanding Mayor Award 2014

“Bag-ONG Irosin” Mayor Eduardo Emor Ong, Jr. Mayor Municipality of Irosin, Sorsogon

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is humble beginnings as a Manileño-Irosinian gave Mayor Ong the best attributes to become a leader and public servant.

At 21, Mayor “Jun” started working as a broker, then as marketing manager of a manpower firm. Few years after, he established his own recruitment agency, and travelled to several countries seeking more opportunities for his business.

Becoming “Ama ng Bayan” (Municipal Mayor) was a choice he made only after relentless persuasion by relatives and local politicians for him to come home and serve the people of Irosin. He had a picture of such privilege thru the late Enrique G. Delmonte—“Papa Iking” to many Irosanians who served as OIC-Mayor in 1986 and Vice Mayor in 1987. His mother, Amparo F. Emor— “Mama Paring” served as barangay captain of Bgy. San Pedro and Municipal Councilor in 2004 and ran for mayoralty position in 2007 but unfortunately lost the election. Bearing in mind the call of the people, Mr. Eduardo E. Ong, Jr. run for mayoralty position under PDP Laban in 2010 and won the hearts of Irosinians. July 1, 2010 marked day 1 of his first 3-year term as Local Chief Executive of the Municipality of Irosin, province of Sorsogon. And re-elected in 2013, under the banner of United Nationalists Alliance (UNA) - PDP Laban.

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Most Outstanding Mayor Award 2014

In 2010, his platform of administration focused on three main thrusts: health; education; and agriculture. The carrying slogan “Bag—ONG Irosin!” (a local term) was also introduced to highlight the aspiration for a new and better Irosin. Major programs and projects related to social services, tourism projects, housing and infras tructure developments were prioritized for National Government Agency (NGA) and foreign funding. Mid2011, disaster management and mitigation was included as part of the major thrusts in response to climate change.

check-ups and free medicines in their own community without a peso expense. Apart from this, members of indigent families with special medical cases were given additional aid by qualifying them to Assistance in Crisis Situation Program wherein part of the costs of medical and laboratory expenses were paid by the LGU. Advocacies on Department of Health & LGU partnership programs were also strengthen. From 2010 to current year, nominations and awards were given to the locality in recognition of its consistent and commendable implementation of nutrition— based programs.

Programs on health, education and agriculture were revisited in order to establish a more effective and efficient yearround programs. On health, start-up activities include conduct of quarterly medical and dental mission in clustered barangays.

This allowed people in the community to benefit from free health

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Most Outstanding Mayor Award 2014

In education, improvements in services were carried-out by allocating additional funds for maintenance and operating expenses of all schools—elementary and high school level; increasing the number of scholars for tertiary education; and re-opening the technical training program in collaboration with TESDA. There were also improvements in the services of the Municipal Library by providing free internet access, 24/7 free wi-fi, and use of Science Digital Library Kiosk (partnership with DOST and STI).

Since the primary livelihood is agricultural with rice and coconut as main products, the LGU ensured that regular agrirelated programs are implemented. Additional projects for this sector include:establishment of Municipal Swine Artificial

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Insemination and Breeding Center (Initial funds from the Office of Sen. Kiko Pangilinan), while the Climate Field School for Sustainable Agriculture., Organic Fertilizer Production, Seed Banking program, and Program on Inland Fishery were initiated in partnership with the Department of Agriculture and other agencies.

Most of the disaster preparedness and mitigation initiatives were collaboration of the LGU and the World Food Program. Some of these projects and activities include: formulation of barangay disaster contingency plans, municipal-wide IEC on disaster preparedness, capability-building seminar, installation of highend weather station equipment, procurement of communication devices, and construction of P1.5M Disaster Operation Center.

Most Outstanding Mayor Award 2014 AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS: • 1ST in REAL PROPERTY TAX COLLECTION for the calendar year 2011 (given by: Bureau of Local Government Finance) • CROWN AWARD” CONSISTENT REGIONAL OUTSTANDING WINNERS IN NUTRITION AWARD bestowed by the National Nutrition Council.

• Recognition for the Implementation of RA 9003 – Solid Waste Management in 2012 (DENR) • SEAL OF GOOD HOUSEKEEPING for calendar year 2011 (Department of Interior and Local Government) with P1M PERFORMANCE CHALLENGE FUND • NATIONAL RICE ACHIEVER’S AWARD conferred in March 2013 by the Department of Agriculture • RECOGNITION from the Department of Agriculture Reg. 5 and European Commission Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection Food and Agriculture Organization for the “Enhancing Capabilities for Disaster Risk Reduction in Agriculture in Cambodia and the Philippines DIPECHO program.

• SEAL OF GOOD HOUSEKEEPING for calendar year 2012 (Department of Interior and Local Government) with P1M PERFORMANCE CHALLENGE FUND

The LGU—IROSIN is a recipient / beneficiary the following programs: • 4Ps or the PANTAWID PAMILYANG PILIPINO PROGRAM • Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (Kalahi-CIDSS) • Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan PAMANA (Regular Program) • KALAHI—CIDSS-PAMANA Sub-Projects • Bottom-Up Budgeting Program and Projects • PAMANA—Department of Agriculture In 2013,more than 25% of the Economic Development Fund (EDF) was appropriated as counterpart for the abovementioned programs.

The municipality of Irosin is now the hub for many government services including : Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) Wireless Automated Processing System and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) National Manpower Registry System.

Mayor Eduardo Ong Jr. was also given study grant on Municipal Leadership and Governance Program under the DOH-Center for Health Development V—Zuellig Family Foundation-United Nations Population Fund–Development Academy of the Philippines study programs.

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Most Outstanding Mayor Award 2014

“Bringing Services to Your Doorsteps” Hon. Pablo Campos Ortega City Mayor City Government of San Fernando, La Union, Philippines

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prolific career spanning to more than 28 years as an elected public official, City Mayor Pablo C. Ortega started his public service in 1982 as the elected Barangay Chairman of Barangay IV in the City of San Fernando. His tenure as Barangay Chairman is one for the books for being unopposed for three (3) consecutive terms serving for 10 years. From 1992 to 2001 and 2004 to 2007, he was elected as Municipal and City Councilor as No. 1 Councilor for two (2) consecutive terms. During the same period, he was elected as President of the Philippine Councilors’ League for both La Union Chapter and Region 1 Chapter (1995-2001). Between the periods 1998-2004, the City Mayor served as Provincial Board Member of the Province of La Union.

Hon. Pablo C. Ortega holds a degree in Bachelor of Science in Commerce (Major in Management) from San Sebastian College in Manila. He is married to Ms. Mariquita P. Ortega who is serving as AVP Area Head- North Luzon of the Philippine National Bank. Their marriage is blessed with two (2) children, Lucia Esperanza P. Ortega-Valero, who holds a degree in Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy from the University of Santo Tomas, Manila and Bachelor of Science in Nursing from LORMA Colleges, City of San Fernando, now married to Joseph Bernard Valero, a former City Councilor and are blessed with a child named Chase; and Hon. Francisco Paolo P. Ortega V, who finished Bachelor of Science in Marketing Management from the San Beda College, Manila and currently taking up his Masters in Public Management at Ateneo School of Government, and is also currently a City Councilor on his second term.

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Most Outstanding Mayor Award 2014

Mayor Ortega with the Vice Mayor leads the feeding program of the city government held during the conduct of People’s Day

Mayor Ortega inspects the rescue boats that the city government purchased as part of its disaster preparedness program

As the elected City Mayor for 6 years and is now in his last 3 years, the City Mayor propelled the City of San Fernando to greater heights as evidenced by the state of development the city has achieved. The City of San Fernando works for the attainment of its vision through the city development framework comprised of strategic themes: Competitiveness, Bankability, Livability, and Good Governance that clustered the different departments of our city government to specifically target and support objectives in the areas of economic development, financial resiliency, environmental sustainability and social welfare, and development administration.

More importantly, significant programs and projects were implemented in pursuit of the Vision, Mission and Values as contained in the Performance Governance System (PGS), a governance framework based on the Balanced Scorecard focusing on strategic outcomes and results and strong partnership between the city government and the private sector/community.

When the City of San Fernando decided to continue in 2012 the 4-stage PGS journey which was started in 2005 under the leadership of former City Mayor Hon. Mary Jane Ortega, the current administration of City Mayor Pablo C. Ortega achieved a milestone when it was awarded two (2) Silver Trailblazer Awards in a year during the Performance Governance Forum in March and November 2013. On top of that, the City was awarded the PGS Proficiency Award after surpassing the standards of the 3rd stage PGS journey leading to the 4th and last stage which is Institutionalization.

The city government continued to work on improving its local economy to be able to move up to the next higher level

Mayor Ortega with the city health officer accepts donations of medicines from big-hearted citizens

Mayor Ortega leads the Annual Tree Planting Program of the city

after being a city after 12 years already. In 2012, “Bringing Services to Your Doorsteps” was the major development direction the city took. Literally, every basic service the city government provides were brought to the twelve (12) Districts of the city covering the 59 barangays. From April to December 2012, the city government literally brought the services of all the city departments on site either as actual performance of service or advocacy and information dissemination to include the provision of equipment and materials. One of the highlights of the People’s Day was the “Talakayan” segment (Agay-ayat Kadakayo Amin radio program) where needs and issues of each barangay were given instant solution or action.

Financial Assistance in the amount of Fifty Thousand Pesos was equally allocated from City Funds and the Countrywide Development Funds of Cong. Victor F. Ortega and given to all the 59 barangays. This fund was meant to cover the cost of the purchase or fabrication of their multi-purpose stage. This is the city’s direct intervention to address the repetitive concerns arising from conflicts in schedule that affected the availability of stage materials for the different needs of the barangays. The city believes that it is worthy to empower the barangays in ways that are focused and deliberate to align and calibrate our actions towards meaningful vision attainment.

Computer sets were given to the barangays which was part of the effort to enhance the connectivity and integration of our government units. Each of the primary and secondary community schools were also given computers in our continuing effort to expose our school children to information and communications technology.

Mayor Ortega hands over a certificate of appreciation to the Head of the Institute for Solidarity in Asia. The city government was able to pass the Initiation and Proficiency Stages of the Performance Governance System in one year garnering both silver trailblazers awards for both stages.

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Most Outstanding Mayor Award 2014

Mayor Ortega inspects the donations from the citizenry for the victims of Typhoon Yolanda.

Copies of the Citizens’ Charter book were distributed to the 59 Barangay Councils with the purpose of making true our promise and commitment to guarantee speedy response and service delivery when and where it is most needed. The Citizens’ Charter Book covers all services delivered by the different city departments and offices especially those that have direct interface with the constituents. This is the tool by which our peoples’ expectations are checked against those services which are offered and gives them the means to articulate their feedback on those services that are satisfactory or not. The maiden issue contains 196 processes that are meant to be tested against the satisfaction of our clients and the constant re-engineering of work processes based on city hall’s commitment to continual improvement. In 2012, a total of 21,924 households of the 27,000 households were provided with the Citizen’s Charter book.

City of San Fernando established its own Engineered Sanitary Landfill (ESL) Facility to contain- in an environmentfriendly manner the wastes generated in the city. In 2005, the controlled dumpsite was rehabilitated into an ESL through the Design-Build-Operate (DBO) Scheme. To date, the city government, under the current leadership, ensures to be responsive to environmental responsibility and protection.

Mayor Ortega inspects the fabricated waste bins as part of the solid waste enhancement program of the city

Mayor Ortega releases a big green turtle into the sea.

Said turtle was flashed ashore by big waves.

Mayor Ortega joins the PNP and DILG leaders burning the confiscated and captured marijuana plants

Mayor Ortega delivers his State of the City Address every third Tuesday of January.

Big-screened television sets are set up all over the city hall for constituents who could not be accommodated at the People’s Hall.

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Mayor Ortega leads the distribution of certified palay seeds as a support to the farmers

In the city, nine (9) MRFs were established serving a total of fifteen (15) individual or cluster of barangays. Barangay MRFs were established using local and alternative materials than of heavy structures. Compartments for specific types of wastes were also fabricated in the facility to contain the segregated materials.

Most of these MRFs are operated by the barangays.

As mandated by the Clean Water Act of 2004, the City Government of San Fernando established its Septage Treatment Facility in partnership with the USAID-Philippine Sanitation Alliance (USAID-PSA), Rotary International, Office of Congressman Victor F. Ortega and the Rotary Club of San Fernando, La Union.

Being one of the beneficiaries of the Eco-Tank Project, the City Government of San Fernando is now currently implementing the project in barangays Poro and Catbangen.

The Market Wastewater Treatment Facility located at Ilocanos Sur is capable to treat 200 cubic meters per day.

The volume of wastewater generated by the two markets is 40 cubic meters daily average. There is still enough allowance to accommodate wastewater from nearby buildings.The Slaughterhouse Wastewater Treatment Facility designed to treat 20 cubic meters a day is operational. The average daily water consumption of the slaughterhouse is 11.68 cubic meters.

Mayor Ortega distributes hybrid corn seeds as part of the city’s assistance to the farmers

Most Outstanding Mayor Award 2014

Mayor Ortega heads the Million Volunteer Run, a joint project of the Philippine National Red Cross and the City Government

Mayor Ortega joins the city officials and employees in the health and wellness programs for city employees

In 2012 alone, as testaments to our relentless efforts of providing the best quality services to our people, various institutions recognized us through the following: 1) National Award for Quality Management System certified to ISO 9001 Standards handed over by no less than the President, His Excellency Benigno Simeon Aquino III; 2) Special Citation: Most Business Friendly City Award from the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry for the city’s commendable efforts adopting and instituting innovative and best practices in governance; 3) ISO 9001:2008 and ISO 14001:2004 Re-Certification from the International Certification Registrar; 4) The only City in Region 1 to have been a National Finalist in the eGov LGU Awards for the implementation of the Individual Work Permit Information System given by the NICP, DILG and Cyber City Teleservices; 5) 2012 Gawad Pamanang Lahi Regional 2nd Runner-up given by the Department of the Interior and Local Government; 6) 1st Runner-up in the Search for Cleanest, Greenest and Safest City in Region 1 given by the Regional Development Council; 7) Certificate of Recognition for the distinction as White Orchid Awardee by the Department of Health; and 8) Pinnacle of Excellence Award and Making Difference Award from the National TB Program of the Department of Health.

The City recently completed the 2nd Stage Surveillance for the bid for certification of three (3) standards, namely: ISO 9001:2008 (QMS), ISO 14001:2004 (EMS) and OHSAS 18002:2007, and subsequently recommended for certification by the certifying body. With three (3) ISO standards, the City Government of San Fernando is the first Local Government Unit in general with an Integrated Management System (IMS) consisting of the three (3) international standards.

The city government shall continue to serve our people with the highest level of public service within the principles of transparency accountability and excellence.

Mayor Ortega holds the Pink Orchid Award given by the Department of Health, for implementing a 100% tobacco - free environment and for following the World Health Organization’s “MPOWER” framework.

Mayor Ortega and Vice Mayor Gualberto signs the MOU as an enrolment of the city into the Performance Governance System of the Institute for Solidarity in Asia

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Most Outstanding Mayor Award 2014

“Orgullo ko, Mambuleño ako” Hon. Ricarte R. Padilla

Municipal Mayor Jose Panganiban, Camarines Norte

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orn on June 1, 1965 at the Jose Panganiban, Camarines Norte, HON. RICARTE ROBLEDO PADILLA is fondly called “Bondong” to his family and “Kuya Dong” to his friends and to most of the people of this gold-mining municipality. He is the youngest son of the late Governor Roy Padilla, Sr. and son to former Municipal Councilor Carmelita Robledo Padilla.

While a graduate of BS Marine Transportation, he owes his wealth of experience thru the pharmaceuticals marketing, an opportunity he has honed to build his own company as the entrepreneur towards the distribution of various medical products and equipment. The FAMED Group of Companies the flagship of his growing business enterprise is the fruit of his hard labor.

Being the responsible father to three children and a loving wife Shenet, he shuttles without reservations every weekend to his family who resides in Parañaque, Metro Manila. Mayor Dong’s work ethics is characterized with the discipline of a work horse never tiring, fast-paced and with a clear vision towards objectives he sets. He extends his office hours to make sure that everything is in place while everyone is duly taken care of. When necessary, work finds him at home multi-tasking. He wakes up to client-calls early in the morning and extends time to entertain others even after work hours. Kuya Dong is known for his dedication towards the public servant he has advocated for himself. He has accepted his mandate to become not just the Mayor but a doctor to some, a lawyer to those in distress, an engineer towards the assessments of public works and the philanthropist to many.

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Most Outstanding Mayor Award 2014

When he assumed office in July 2010, he introduced major renovations towards the interior and exterior of the municipal building paying attention to the smallest detail. His objectives are never wavering with the considerations to deliver to the “public” the services required which he often calls “his boss”.

Now on his second term his vision remain clear towards making his hometown ecologically sustaining and progressive while empowering his constituents’ in what he refers to as the social equity alleviating from poverty the less fortunate through the rational utilization of local resources.

Mayor Ricarte R. Padilla epitomizes the true integrity of a public servant, always ready to serve, anytime; “We shall leave a legacy with a unity of purpose and a common objective that we shall make this town worth living and serving for. With our united effort and common dedication, guided by the principles of honesty, righteousness and justice, and with the help of the Almighty, we shall not fail. A strong guiding principle in service that is, “ALAY SA DIYOS AT SA BAYAN!” (Excerpt from Inaugural Speech, July 1, 2013)

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Most Outstanding Mayor Award 2014

Infrastructure “Alay sa Diyos at sa Bayan”, Mayor Dong’s public service thrust is to his fellow Mambuleños. Fully concreting farm to market road networks and bridges are the key to an economically stable community with its rich eco-tourism potentials. This dynamic leadership encourages every concerned citizen to participate in the “A Bag of Cement for a Cause” Project of his administration.

Environment The One million Trees Project for Jose Panganiban. One of the main environmental thrusts of the Local Government of Jose Panganiban is the greening project dubbed as the “ONE

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(1) MILLION TREES PROJECT for JOSE PANGANIBAN” The project introduced by Mayor Ricarte R. Padilla during the Inaugural Session of the Sang-guniang Bayan under the 17th Municipal Administration. He enjoined the participation of the different sectors and barangays to cause the implementation of massive planting activity in order to address the problems of floods and the water shortage during the summer season.

Planting activities were conducted in different watersheds and mangroves in the municipality however since July volunteers were able to plant more than 500,00o seedlings and mangrove propagules. This represents 50% of the total target for the three (3) year project.

Most Outstanding Mayor Award 2014

Health Mayor Dong has improved the health benefits for his constituents by 100% thru the budget appropriations for his program under Philhealth “Para sa Masa” in 2014. Mayor Dong strongly supports various programs such as Health Summits, Free Medical and Dental Missions, Anti-TB and Malaria Campaigns and introduction of the “Buntis” Congress wherein pregnant women can avail of free ultrasound, medicines and baby assortments. Having a loving heart for the poor disabled and elderly, he also pushed an additional 30% discount for senior citizens hospitalization in the localities, giving free wheelchairs and health aide equipment for PWD’s. Rural Health Units 1 (East District) & 2 (West District) have established Lying-in Clinic fully equipped with a Ultrasound Machine.

Education At the start of his administration, Mayor Dong entered into a contract with TESDA for the establishment of Gov. Roy Padilla Sr. Memorial and Vocation Institute (RPSMVI). He spearheads the provision for free scholarships to the deserving poor students and the “Out of School Youth” (OSY) spending his own personal funds when necessary. With exceptional care towards the welfare for students he provides free transportation services for students going to and from the school campus in barangay Larap of where the vocational school is established. Construction of school buildings in various barangays is one of the Mayor’s main educational thrusts to spread the literacy in the municipality.

Livelihood Mayor Dong Introduced the “Sulong Kabuhayan sa Kariton” a program whose primary objective to introduce entrepreneurship affording his constituents with free food carts and a starting capital to assist. He has also highlighted the system of unity in livelihood program particularly the “Palaguin ang Negosyo” Program where every member of cooperatives play a vital part in generating their own income.

Awards and Recognition In 2011 the Local Government Unit of Jose Panganiban received an award from the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Seal of Good House Keeping in the recognition of exemplary performance in internal housekeeping in the areas of Good Planning, Sound Fiscal Management, Transparency and Accountability and Valuing Performance Management by the late Secretary Jesse M. Robredo.

Asides from the awards plaque, the municipality also received a One Million Peso cash check which was utilized by the local government as Local Government Unit Support Fund (LGSF) and funded to the supervision of the Roy Padilla Sr. Memorial Technical Institute (RPMTI), a Technical and Vocational institution for Out-of-School Youth (OSY’s) and deserving indigent students.

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Most Outstanding Mayor Award 2014

“Abe-Abe, Saup-Saup AGYU TAMU” Mayor Edgardo D. Pamintuan City Mayor Angeles City, Pampanga

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assionate. This was how a subordinate described EDGARDO D. PAMINTUAN when she saw, in a private and unguarded moment after the 2010 polls, how the newly-elected Mayor of Angeles City expressed his dream for a renewed urban development and a more effective delivery of basic services to its populace. There was no audience around to impress, no sycophants to feed with meaningless rhetoric. And yet, in the midst of political victory, his conviction of hope and change remained genuine. Spurred by his old battle cry, “Agyu Tamu!” and his new aphorism, “Abe-abe, Saup-saup,” Mayor Ed has re-entered the arena of local public service with a clear vision of what he wants to achieve and how he wants it done.

A shoot off a lineage of public servants and historical personages, EdPam, or simply Ed to family and friends, was born on February 23, 1949 in Angeles City, and raised up in a conservative middle class environment, his father being a former City Vice-Mayor for 33 years. A self-confessed average student, his love for the written word however became the seedbed of idealism that would later transform him into a primus inter pares, the first among equals in service to the people.

The social turmoil of the late 60’s opened his eyes to the issues and realities of the times. The young Ed joined the Youth Student For Change, and immediately, he actively involved himself in the championing of student rights and exposing the ills of society. Briefly joining the underground after the declaration of martial law, the Catholic School-trained young man sought Christ among the oppressed and disenfranchised, and after passing the Bar, he emerged as one of the trustees of the Movement of Attorneys for Brotherhood, Integrity and Nationalism, Inc. (MABINI), fighting the dictatorship in the courtrooms and in the streets alongside opposition giants and fellow Mabini members Jose “Pepe” Diokno, Lorenzo Tañada, Joker Arroyo, and Rene Saguisag. He had his share of controversial cases, and recurrent harassments, including death threats from the military and paramilitary elements in Pampanga became a staple in his life.

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Most Outstanding Mayor Award 2014 The People Power Revolution of 1986 transformed Ed from a cause-oriented private citizen to a public figure. In 1988, the erstwhile leader of mass movements, convenor of people’s organizations and political adviser to opposition personalities received a mandate from the citizens of Angeles City as its first postEDSA elected Vice Mayor. Fortuitously, the young and dynamic Ed again took the mantle of leadership when, during the 1991 Pinatubo disaster, the city radically changed from a bustling urban center to a virtual ghost town. He did not run away and abandon his beloved city; rather, he became a towering figure among Angeleños, guiding evacuees, distributing relief goods, rousing government offices and coordinating with various disaster management agencies.

He was humbled by the resiliency of the Angeleños in the face of a seemingly insurmountable natural disaster. In 1992, inspired by the battlecry “Agyu Tamu!,” he challenged the well-entrenched incumbent Mayor and won by a landslide.

During his two consecutive terms, Angeles City became the recipient of awards in employment generation, environmental protection, law enforcement, children’s protection, cooperatives, sports and health, notwithstanding the continuing devastation caused by seemingly unending lahar onslaughts. His “Pala mo, Buhay Mo” Program gathered more than 20,000 volunteerAngelenos to pick a shovel or any garden implement for that matter to buttress the riverbanks of the Abacan river to protect the city from being swallowed by the lahar. Although the the sandbagging operations was swept away in a manner of minutes, the event got the notice of the national leaders and showed the resiliency of the Angelenos and their determination to service and rise up again. For this, Mayor Ed Pamintuan received an International Award from the Jaycees International. Nature’s anger became his inspiration to do more for his constituents. In 1995, Ed saw the potentials of the former Clark Air Force Base, championing its resurgence as convenor of the Move Clark Now Movement and chairman of the Metro Clark Advisory CouncilClark Development Corporation.

His run for a seat in Congress faltered, however, when he fell victim to insidious black propaganda and other election anomalies.

But Ed seemed destined to execute, and not to legislate. His innate ability to get things done was not lost on President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. From 2001 to 2004, Ed served as general manager of the National Housing Authority. In 2002, President Arroyo appointed him as Board Member of the North Rail-Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA). Two years later, he was appointed Presidential Adviser for External Affairs, a post with the rank of cabinet secretary. In February of 2006, he was appointed as chair of the Subic Clark Alliance for Development Council (SCADC). Six months later, recognizing his skills in enabling those who work with him, the President appointed him Development Champion of the Urban Luzon Beltway (ULB) Super Region. Seeing the need to pump-prime the construction of the railroad going from Metro Manila to Clark, she once again went to his go-to guy: Secretary Pamintuan was named chairman of the Northrail Corporation. Finally, in several crucial events of national significance, President Arroyo designated him to head the Cabinet Crisis Management Committee.

In recognition of his faithful government service, Pres.

Arroyo conferred upon Ed Pamintuan the Order of Lakandula, with the rank of Grand Cross (Bayani), the first Angeleno to be so recognized with one of the highest honors given by the Republic of the Philippines, and given to “a Filipino or foreign citizen who has demonstrated by his life and deeds a dedication to the welfare of society; and whose life is worthy of emulation by the Filipino people.” (Section 5, II of the Honors Code of the Philippines {EO 236, s. 2003}). His recognition, however, is not limited in the Philippine mainland. He was recently chosen to be one of the Twenty Outstanding Filipinos Abroad (TOFA) during their 20th Awarding Ceremony held at the Marriott Hotel in Washington DC, USA, in September 12, 2010.

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Most Outstanding Mayor Award 2014

Returning to the City Hall, Ed has opened its doors to Angele単os and has even made his home accessible at all times to those in need. He has entered into a contract with them, enumerating a list of targets that his administration seeks to achieve in three years. He has maintained intellectual humility by seeking the advice of other local executives through the sharing of their best practices. More recently, he was elected National Public relations Officer of the League of Cities of the Philippines.

Anchored on his 8-point Agenda which is summarized under his campaign slogan, AGYU TAMU, Mayor Ed Pamintuan aimed to uplift and improve the quality of life of his constituents in Angeles City. He gave priority to education, establishing the city-run City College of Angeles that will provide quality but affordable college education to the young people of Angeles and provide them with better opportunities thru skills training, capacity development and value formation that will make them easily employable after 2-4 years of college education. The City College of Angeles started with almost 400 students in 2012.

For the school-year 2013-2014, i t has increased its enrolment to almost 1,500 students, taking various college courses in Information Technology, Hotel and Restaurant Management, Tourism and other market driven courses. They are now using the newly constructed campus at Brgy. Pampang.

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Another priority is Health. As part of his campaign promises, he established the Renal Care Unit of the Ospital ning Angeles.

With more than 400 regular patients receiving more than 12, 000 treatments since it started operation in 2011, the RCU continues to provide affordable and life saving treatments and services to indigent Angelenos suffering with Renal Care problems.

Millions of pesos were also infused to the rehabilitation, repair, improvement and expansion of the Ospital ning Angeles.

O-going now is the construction of a new 30-bed expansion wing which will house the first LGU-run Cancer Care Treatment Unit and the Coronary Care Unit.

Thousands of Angelenos have also benefitted from the free surgical services provided by the city government through its MEDIKALINGA Program. Free surgical operations, including cyst, warts, hernia, myoma and other medical procedures were extended to indigent Angelenos. As of this writing, almost 500 patients have been operated on to remove cataracts, free of charge.

At the end of his 3-year term, Mayor Ed Pamintuan accomplished 100% of the promises he made during the campaign.

Most Outstanding Mayor Award 2014 In recognition of the many accomplishments of the City under the administration of Mayor Ed Pamintuan, various national government agencies, including te Department of Interior and Local Government, Department of Labor and Employment, TESDA, PDEA, Department of Trade and Industries and other award giving institutions handed out the following awards: • Top 4 Performing City in the Philippines based on the Local Governance Performance Management System (LGPMS) in 2010 • Top 6 performing City in the Philippines based on LGPMS in 2011 • Hall of Fame Awardee for the National Best PESO Award in 2009, 2010, 2011 • Best Anti-Drug Abuse Council in the Philippines • Best City Council (Legislative Council) in Central Luzon 2012

As Chief Executive of Angeles City, Mayor Ed Pamintuan was also named by Superbrands Marketing, International as One of the Seven Most Outstanding Mayors of the Phillipines in 2012. He was also voted as the World’s Top 8 Mayor by the World Mayors Foundation in 2012. Recently, he was awarded the Ulirang Ama Award” for Government Service by the National Father’s Day Foundation.

These are just some of the many recognitions and awards received by Angeles City and Mayor Ed Pamintuan. But by far, the best recognition and honor that can be bestowed to anyone sitting in an elected position is to be given a new mandate for a second term. The people of Angeles City have spoken and they placed their trust and confidence on their leader, Mayor Ed Pamintuan, to lead the city anew in the coming 3 years.

His example has become infectious. His eldest, Eduardo, has begun to follow his footsteps, emerging as one of the elected councillors of Angeles City in the recent elections. His wife, the former Herminia Dizon has become his virtual alter ego, living up to Ed’s campaign promise of making his home accessible 24/7.

She is also actively involved in the development of Angeles arts and culture. His second son Alberto has recently passed the Bar. The youngest, Fidel is actively pursuing a career in advertising.

Truly, it can be said that the measure of Ed can be gauged by the way he has nurtured his family, despite the many demands of his time and attention.

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Most Outstanding Mayor Award 2014

“bag-Ong Ozamiznon” “Padayon Bag-ong Ozamiznon!

Kalinaw, Kahusay ng Kalambo an Kab-oton Ta”

Hon. Reynaldo O. Parojinog, Sr. City Mayor, City Government of Ozamiz, Misamis Occidental

B

eing elected as a mayor and succeeding in being a good mayor is a difficult job. A mayor does not have the same influence and authority as a private industry CEO. While politics can be restrictive if not limiting, it is most often said that mayors require more persuasion skills than decision skills to run a city. A mayor requires intrinsic abilities that will allow him to help the community he leads.

Honesty is a virtue that is required either way. A good mayor should only promise what he can control. Although good intentions are laudable, a good, honest mayor knows that there are more people involved in the decisionmaking process. Thus, making promises on issues over which he has no control will only disillusion the people he leads. While management is the ability to move others from Point A to Point B, leadership is knowing where Point B is located. The mayor is the one who provides direction to the community.

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Most Outstanding Mayor Award 2014

Ground Breaking of the P 300-M Urban Drainage Project. These projects, the OCCIBAL and Urban Drainage are both came from the General appropriations Act of 2014.

The best mayors should exhibit a vision for the future and should be able to sell that vision to the public. He or she serves as the executive officer of a city. As the city’s chief administrator and official representative, the mayor is responsible for the general management of the city and for seeing that all laws and ordinances are enforced. Administrative duties include the appointments, with council approval, of department heads and persons serving on advisory boards. As executive officer, the mayor administers oaths and signs all motions, resolutions and ordinances passed by city council. The mayor also serves a legislative function, presiding over city council with voting privileges. The Mayor is responsible for advising council of the city’s financial condition and presents to council an annual budget for approval.

Ground Breaking of the P25-M widening of Ozamiz – Oroquieta Road. The project is one kilometer which includes construction and widening of road, reflectorized thermoplastic pavement markings, drainage and slope protection.

Mayor Reynaldo “Aldong” Ozamiz Parojinog Sr. has received multiple awards from regional government agencies as well as from the national level. As of this publication he receives yet another award for the Most Outstanding Mayor by SMI for 2014. These awards are bestowed to the Most Outstanding Mayors in recognition of their Nation Building efforts.

His accomplishments towards social responsibility are found in his unwavering advocacies towards the environment, his projects for education, mass housing, peace and order, infrastructure, health, security and livelihood.

Ground Breaking of the P100-M Construction of Ozamiz City-Clarin Interior By-pass Airport Link (OCCIBAL) phase 1. The phase 1 of OCCIBAL is a 3 kilometers road construction. OCCIBAL is vital to the economic growth of the second district of Misamis Occidental particularly Ozamiz City for this road will connect all road networks from the hinterland to the national highway down to the Airport and the seaport.

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Most Outstanding Mayor Award 2014

Regional Champion in Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council - Director Anna Cañada confers to Mayor Reynaldo O. Parojinog Sr. the award for Ozamiz City as Regional Champion in Gawad Kalasag Award for component City Category in Region-10 for the year 2013. Ozamiz got first runner-up in the search for Gawad Kalasag national level in 2013.

Mayor Aldong has seriously led the initiatives in protecting the gem of Misamis Occidental, the Mt. Malindang. This includes the entire watershed areas that have served as the water source for several tributary rivers flowing not only in his area of responsibility but to the entire province of Zamboanga del Norte as well as Zamboanga del Sur.

Service Award- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo hands over the plaque of commendation to Ozamiz City Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog Sr., at the Heroes Hall of Malacañang Palace. Witnesses of the occasion were Interior and Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno (extreme left) Ozamiz City Vice-Mayor Carlos Bernad (2nd from right) and Miguel Ochate the chief of staff of Mayor Parojinog (extreme right)

the loss of lives. Ozamiz City Mayor Aldong is more than just a Local Chief Executive to the Ozamiznons. He is more like a brother to the people especially the poor and unfortunate, helping those in dire need be it for tuition fees or to lend a helping hand to those in need.

As the steward of the “Ozamiznons” Mayor Aldong has led the drive towards the urban and rural greening projects thru massive planting of Banyan trees along river banks of the City’s major river. This project secures the prevention of overflowing and flooding during heavy rains. The protection of the entire city from flooding does not only secure the commerce of the area but

Urban Greening Project - Mayor Aldong plants Banyan tree at the City’s medial divider.

Livelihood assistance for the poor families

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Support for Panguil Bay Bridge Project- Mayor Aldong affixes his signature to the agreement inked by the local and national officials for the realization of the P5.2-B Panguil Bay Bridge Project during the project conference held at Solaire Resort and Casino in Parañaque.

Most Outstanding Mayor Award 2014 SMI hereby validates the performance of Mayor Aldong and has bestowed the Award for Most Outstanding Mayor.

Ozamiz City is been bestowed the Seal of Good Housekeeping for 2011, a recipient of the 2012 “Gawad Pamana ng Lahi” by the Department of the Interior and Local Government, and in 2013 the National awardee in Nutrition dubbed as Nutrition Honor Award (NHA). NHA is the highest recognition bestowed to Local Government Units who have successfully captured the “Consistent Regional Outstanding Winner in Nutrition” awarded (CROWN) for a consecutive six years.

In 2006, Mayor Aldong has successfully relocated some 190 families living from the Cotta area near the gates of the

Philippine Ports Authority to the City’s relocation site called “Bag-ong Ozamiznon-Gawad Kalinga Village” site at barangay Bongbong. From the shanties to a life of dignity is how Mayor Aldong views this project.

Mayor Aldong is the first City Mayor of Ozamiz who has completed a-nine term having been successfully reelected into the mayor-ship in 2013 by a landslide victory. In July to December 2013, Mayor Parojinog lead the City Police in the crackdown of illegal drugs in Ozamiz City that resulted to the successful arrest of more than 70 persons with the successful confiscation of several grams of Methamphetamine or shabu and over 120 video “karera” machines. This is an unrelenting effort that will be sustaining.

Nutrition Honor Award – Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog Sr., (4th from right) with his daughter and current City Vice-Mayor Nova Princess ParojinogEchavez (4th from left ) City Nutrition Action Officer Lelita Navarez (3rd from right) and City Councilor Octavio Parojinog Jr., (extreme left) together with the officials from the Department of Health headed by Assistant Secretary Ma. Bernardita Flores during the awarding Ceremony held at the Philippine International Convention Center, Pasay City on November 5, 2013.

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Most Outstanding Mayor Award 2014

“Lipad Natividad!”

Hon. Rodrigo L. Rafael

Municipal Mayor, Municipality of Natividad, Pangasinan

H

on. Rodrigo L. Rafael is the 6th child of Ex-Vice Mayor Feliciano G. Rafael and Ms Cecilia Laquindanum born on 12 March 1962. He is married to Ms. Rosita Gavina-Rafael with whom he has five lovely children namely, Betha Fe, Rose Ann, Celeste, Monique and Ralph Coby.

He spent his elementary years at Calapugan Elementary School where he graduated Valedictorian. He continued his secondary education at Natividad Oriental Academy then proceeded to take up BS Civil Engineering at University of Pangasinan.

During his third year in college he became sub-professional eligible in the Civil Service Exam and after two years he became professional eligible. After graduation from college in 1983 he also passed the Civil Engineering Board.

In the words of Mahatma Gandhi

“

„

A man is the sum of his actions, of what he has done, of what he can do, nothing else.

A leader is one who has the will to change what has always been and bring it to new heights... One who is not afraid to dream and work hard to make that dream into a reality... Whose strength is anchored on God and service to His people... Along the road he may face challenges and obstacles but he will persevere... And come out stronger and more determined than before.

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Most Outstanding Mayor Award 2014

Mayor’s Social Responsibility Through the leadership of Hon. Rodrigo L. Rafael the Municipality of Natividad has won the Seal of Good Housekeeping from the Department of Interior and Local Government for two consecutive years. This is a testimony to the Mayor’s pledge to provide good governance to his people.

This is in accordance to the thrust and call of the national government to follow the “Tuwid na Daan” – a government marked by transparency, accountability and enhanced citizens’ participation to attain sustainable and inclusive growth. The Municipality of Natividad, Pangasinan shares this vision. It is indeed faster to reach our desired destination by using the “Tuwid na Daan” rather than a “Daang baku-bako at madaming liko.” This commitment means to ensure time and resources well-spent for the benefit of both town and people.

In the start of his term, Hon. Rodrigo L. Rafael has strictly implemented the Citizens’ Charter, providing tarpaulins and other information materials to inform his constituents of what

they should expect from their local government. At the same time the mayor has underlined the importance of Children Nutrition. It concentrated on feeding programs and distribution of vitamins and other supplements for malnourished children as identified in different barangays.

Another program that was given importance during the term of Mayor Rafael is maternal care. With the Rural Health Unit taking the lead, the midwives were consistently monitored in dispensing their barangay duties and house to house visits of pregnant women to advise them of proper nutrition and administer supplemental vitamins.

Another primary advocacy of Mayor Rafael is education.

During his term of office the participation rate for basic education – elementary and secondary is very high based on the benchmark of the Local Governance Performance Management System. Even the completion rate is high which tells us that the children population of Natividad is taking advantage of the opportunity to learn through the educational systems in place.

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Most Outstanding Mayor Award 2014

Distribution of Rehab Certified Rice Seeds to Farmers

Rangtay Ti Ayat Ni Cocoy

Mayor’s Environmental Responsibility In today’s world, we are concerned about the environment, more so for Natividad, Pangasinan whose forest is 48.8% of its total make-up. It is therefore an advocacy to protect its resources but at the same time share its beauty to the world through tourism efforts.

When Mayor Rodrigo L. Rafael took office in 2010 he started his biggest project for the town, the Natividad Sky Plaza. This project was aimed to become Pangasinan’s next tourist destination by giving the public a feel of the Natividad mountains and provide a beautiful sunrise and sunset view. A part of a mountain top was developed to create a multi-purpose hall, chapel, zip-line and basketball court. In addition, a trek was created to reach the Mama Mary Grotto and the Ti Ayat Ni Apo Hesus shrines. Since its creation, Natividad has experienced increase in visitors and with that came the responsibility to ensure that the mountains remains protected. Based on the Local Governance Performance Management System (LGPMS) the forest of Natividad remains well protected.

One of the risk factors is forest fire, but since the administration of Mayor Rafael the Bureau of Fire Protection in Natividad has increased its personnel now they are more

Ayat Ni Apo Hesus Natividad, Pangasinan

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On-going project: Multi-purpose Hall at the Municipality of Natividad

equipped to respond to fire in the area. Another problem, is garbage but the barangays have been encouraged to promote and put garbage segregation in place to ensure proper disposal.

From time to time barangays also actively participate in cleanup programs.

Natividad remains without any polluting industries or businesses. Moreover, agricultural lands remain highly productive and there is still very high possibility to increase agricultural land productivity thru agricultural land development programs. These are results of the LGPMS study.

Most Outstanding Mayor Award 2014 Sky Plaza

Mama Mary Grotto

Eco-Tourism Natividad, Pangasinan The Natividad Sky Plaza have been featured in several publications. One was of Ilokandia News Blitz last December 25, 2013 that called Natividad, Pangasinan as the “New Tourism Hub of the North”. The article stated, “From a mere spectator of development in Pangasinan, Natividad has become one of the most visited places by domestic and foreign tourists, affirming the continued progress and development of the municipality.”

This is a confirmation of the hard work and dedication that Hon. Rodrigo L. Rafael has put into Natividad. In one of his speeches he said, “maragsacan ac dagiti maalala tayo nga dayaw ta daytoy ket pammanecnec ti naimpusoan nga panagserserbi tayo dagiti kailian tayo.” (these awards we receive makes me happy because it is a testimony to the heartfelt service we render to our townspeople).

Most recently, a picture of the Sky Plaza has been featured in the Manila Times last January 25, 2014 in its “TheRegions” section. It featured children at the Jesus Christ the Redeemer

Various Farm-to-Market Roads

statue at the top of the mountain where they climbed 287 steps to get there.

The town of Natividad has always been a beautiful place, it has that provincial vibe that is as close to nature as one can get. It features an unending mountain range to its pristine rivers and the farming and agricultural scenery. One can say this town provides the ideal simple life. Although this is a good set-up Mayor Rafael wanted to bring the town into the present time, being able to compare itself to the progressive municipalities and cities in the province of Pangasinan. This is why he created a program on Eco-Tourism which not only aims to promote the beauty of the town but protect its natural resources as well.

Now, not only will one be able to experience the simple life in Natividad, Pangasinan but will also feel the progress tourism have brought the town.

Truly, Lipad Natividad is not only a dream but now the town has taken flight.

San Macario - Small Water Impounding Project (SWIP)

Lakab – Palale Small Water Impounding Project (SWIP)

Maranum Falls - Natividad, Pangasinan

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Most Outstanding Mayor Award 2014

“Moving towards Accelerated public service and Sustainable development” Hon. Mayor Meynardo A. Sabili City Mayor Lipa City, Batangas

M

ayor Meynard A. Sabili, before he became the City Mayor of Lipa, was a very successful businessman. He holds the highest positions in four of his family businesses and is the Vice President of the HAZAMA Corp in Tokyo Japan and Consultant of the HAZAMA TAIZEI NIPPON STEEL in Japan. His love for his family and the inspiration that he draws from the success that they have achieved as a family allowed him to see the opportunities given him to be of service to the people. His educational background seemed to lead him to the realm of public service. He took up Bachelor of Arts Major in Political Science in UST and Bachelor of Laws in Ateneo de Manila. He had some units of Masters of Law in UST as well. He initially plunged into the government service as Senior Provincial Board Member in the fourth district of Batangas in 1995 and held the same electoral position until 2001.

Mayor Sabili earned the mandate of the people of Lipa in the election of 2010. He had grand dreams for the city which to some were just too ambitious to bring to reality. However, he held on to the promises he made during the elections and chose to live by the quotation by David Brinkley that “A successful man is one who can lay a firm foundation with the bricks others have thrown at him”. He chose to prove his sincerity and armed himself with sheer determination to pursue each of his dreams for the city, like a father to his children whose only desire is to give the best life for them.

He outlined his priorities for the city through the acronym I HELP, which stands for Infrastructure, Information Technology, Health, Education, Environmental Management, Livelihood and Peace and Order. He believes that through this, the people will no longer cry for help because I HELP is already there.

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Most Outstanding Mayor Award 2014 Through a memorandum of agreement between Mayor Sabili and SM City Lipa, a Grand Terminal for public utility vehicles was constructed at the SM grounds to help ease the traffic in the city proper. The construction of a Parking Building at the city’s public market will soon be started to not only address the traffic problem in the area but also to encourage more people to shop there.

Moved with much compassion for the long line of people who come to his office everyday to ask for financial and medical assistance, Mayor Sabili pursued his promise of establishing the city’s own public hospital. In April of 2013, the Ospital ng Lipa was formally opened. The hospital has a 71 bed capacity and provided free check-ups, confinement, laboratory examinations, X-ray and Ultrasound. He made sure that the hospital is well equipped with modern and high quality equipments and facilities because he wanted his constituents to feel that they deserve only the best, without prejudice to their economic status in life. To date, an average of 250-300 patients are served everyday at the hospital by 38 doctors and 69 nurses. Prior to the opening of the hospital, he made sure that all the indigent Lipenos have been registered with Philhealth through the local government and each family is given the MAS Blue Card which serves as their health cards. This is to ensure that the operation of the Ospital ng Lipa will be sufficiently supported.

Mayor Sabili believes that the young Lipenos will soon inherit whatever the city has become and will be its future leaders. He wanted them, especially the poor but deserving students to have equal opportunities to achieve their dreams through education. It is for this reason that he expanded the existing Scholarship Program of the city government by forging ties with the different public and private tertiary schools not only in the city but also around the province. From 300 college scholars in 2010, the city’s total scholars was increased to 17,300. This included the students of the local government owned and run tertiary school, the Kolehiyo ng Lungsod ng Lipa (KLL), and the 5,000 elementary and high school students in the city’s public schools. He also added two more courses to the five college courses in the KLL and ordered the removal of the developmental share that is being paid by Lipeno students. In support of not only education but also of the athletic skills of the Lipeno youth, the establishment of the Sports Academy with Convention Center is underway.

Mayor Sabili wants his people to live in peace and security. Thus, he has declared war against the proliferation of prohibited drugs in the city. He is determined at putting the perpetrators behind bars and rehabilitating their innocent victims. He has closely coordinated with the PNP Lipa Station which led to the arrest of 82 pushers and users. He also fought for the establishment of the Bahay ni Kuya in the city, a drug rehabilitation center. He empathizes with the families of those who have been addicted to drugs and wants to help them bring their loved ones back to their normal lives. As of this writing, there are 25 patients being rehabilitated in the center for free.

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Most Outstanding Mayor Award 2014

In his desire to provide employment opportunities and alternative sources of income to his people, he ordered the conversion of the old classrooms of the Kolehiyo ng Lungsod ng Lipa in its old site into the Lipa City Center for Training and Development. The center offers 10 types of free short courses and skills trainings. Since its opening in September of 2011, almost 1,000 students have graduated and were easily hired locally and abroad. This project allowed the city government to be given recognition as an Outstanding Partner of TESDA for having the most number of passers in the National Certification.

He also provided more livelihood trainings to various groups and interest free loans to existing cooperatives in the city.

Under the Livelihood Assistance Program which was started in 2011, more than 3,500 small businessmen were given capital assistance while more than P3 million was lent to 12 cooperatives without interest. Micro Finance Loans were also granted without interest to more than 3,000 entrepreneurs. Mayor Sabili believes in the saying that “ Give man a fish and you feed him for a day but teach man how to fish and you feed him for life”.

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The city’s 2 Million Trees Project was Lipa’s contribution to the global call to care for the environment and address the detrimental effects of climate change. Mayor Sabili spearheaded such project with the belief that whatever little effort to save the environment will make a difference. As of this writing, the city has planted more or less 500,000 trees and continues to propagate more seedlings for planting. He also ordered the strict implementation of the “No to Plastic and Styrofoam” ordinance in the city. This allowed the citizens to get used to bringing their own eco bags when they go shopping. This also brought a 4.2% reduction in the volume of garbage collected in the first six months of its implementation.

Most Outstanding Mayor Award 2014 Mayor Sabili’s efforts to put good order in the organization earned the city government the Seal of Good Housekeeping for the second time (2011 and 2012). The first seal was for the Bronze Category and the second was for the Silver Category.

These awards were conferred to the city by the Department of the Interior and Local Government for exhibiting laudable and exemplary performance in the areas of planning and fiscal management with strong adherence in the principles of transparency and accountability. The city was also recognized as one of the Top Ten Next Wave Cities of the Philippines for IT and business process outsourcing for the year 2012 by the Department of Science and Technology and the Information Technology and Business Process Association of the Philippines (BPAP). Since his election to the mayoralty position, Mayor Sabili has been a consistent provincial awardee of the Sandugo Outstanding Local Chief Executive Award for his unwavering support and contribution in the promotion of voluntary blood donation. He has also been a recipient of the Most Outstanding Mayor Award 2012 by Superbrands Marketing International Inc.

“

I believe that as the City of Mayor of Lipa, I stand as a father to my people, with their now and tomorrow entrusted to my hands.

I am driven to do my best to bring change in their lives, the very hope that they have when they brought me to this seat.

„

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