MOMA 2016

MOST OUTSTANDING MAYOR AWARD

2016

Most Outstanding Mayor Award 2016

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 ADMINISTRATION Corazon Villanueva ACCOUNTING Nelia Villarete RESEARCHER Lionel Prieto Matanguihan Kimberly De Los Santos Paule SMI offices are located at the Makati Central Business District with address: Unit 904, Rufino Building, Ayala Avenue, Makati City, Philippines Tel. 869-5504 Fax. 869-8040 www.smiphl.com 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.

ISSN 2362-7727

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Most Outstanding Mayor Award 2016

FOREWORD

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e enter the electoral season with new and old players challenging the mayoral elective position, all wishing to be the chief executive of cities and municipalities throughout the country. This election was launched months before the campaign period with boots on the ground for grassroots support, for those seeking re-election as well as for new aspirants wishing to challenge sitting mayors. The incumbent mayors do, of course, have the edge, not only for their authority and influence, but for the effective leadership they have shown their constituents. It is all about achievements. How do we generate the awareness needed for constituents to see and understand what a mayor’s projects are all about?

It is about the efficacy of those projects and their immediate and long term successes. There are alternatives beyond the infamous “epal” perspective using billboards to laud specific projects under a mayor’s watch.

The Most Outstanding Mayor Award is the testament of one’s achievements. It is the alternative to identifying specific projects through billboards and other media. The acknowledgment of participating in and having been Awarded Most Outstanding Mayor itself, together with its publication, celebrates a mayor’s achievements. There is no other strategic or pragmatic approach that celebrates achievements and recognizes authority and effectiveness as the mayor who has superbly served constituents.

To all those awarded Most Outstanding Mayor, kudos and more power!

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Most Outstanding Mayor Award 2016

Hon. Emmanuel M. Alejandrino

Mayor, Municipality of Arayat, Province of Pampanga.................................. 6

CONTENTS

Hon. Herbert Bautista

Mayor, Quezon City, NCR............................................................................ 10

Atty. Ma. Rocelle V. Carolino

Mayor, Municipality of Santa Maria, Province of Laguna............................ 14

Hon. Heidee L. Ganigan-Chua

Mayor, Municipality of Asingan, Province of Pangasinan........................... 18

Hon. Celso Olivier T. Dator

Mayor, Municipality of Lucban, Province of Quezon.................................... 22

Hon. Bernard Faustino M. Dy

Mayor, City of Cauayan, Province of Isabela................................................. 26

Hon. Napoleon Ebdane Edquid

Mayor, Municipality of Candelaria, Province of Zambales........................... 30

Hon. Maria Belen “Maribel” A. Eusebio

Mayor, City Government of Pasig, NCR....................................................... 34

Hon. Chevylle V. Fariñas

Mayor, City of Laoag, Province of Ilocos Norte............................................. 38

Hon. Gerald J. Galvez

Mayor, Municipality of San Ildefonso, Province of Bulacan......................... 42

Hon. Oscar Malapitan

Mayor, City of Caloocan, NCR...................................................................... 46

Hon. Pablo Campos Ortega

Mayor, City of San Fernando, Province of La Union.................................... 50

Hon. Sophia Grandeza Palacio, M.D.

Mayor, Municipality of Calatagan, Province of Batangas............................. 54

Hon. Edgardo D. Pamintuan

Mayor, City of Angeles, Province of Pampanga............................................ 58

Hon. Rodrigo L. Rafael

Mayor, Municipality of Natividad, Province of Pangasinan......................... 62

Hon. Meynardo A. Sabili

Mayor, City of Lipa, Province of Batangas.................................................... 66

Hon. Alexis Simando San Luis, II

Mayor, Government of Pili, Province of Camarines Sur............................... 70

Hon. Jose Stevenson M. Sangalang

Mayor, Municipality of General Luna, Province of Quezon......................... 74

Hon. Edwin D. Santiago

Mayor, City of San Fernando, Province of Pampanga................................... 78

Atty. Carmelo "BLACK" O. Villacete

Mayor, Municipality of Piat, Province of Cagayan....................................... 82

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Most Outstanding Mayor Award 2016

Hon. Emmanuel M. Alejandrino Mayor, Municipality of Arayat Province of Pampanga 6

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“Ing Bayung Arayat Year-3” Program of a Returnee “Huk”, Hooked on Mountain Nooks

mmanuel M. Alejandrino, the supremo of the rebel group Hukbong Mapagpalayang Bayan (HMB), was accused for subversion and rebellion. He faced a long struggle of hiding in the mountain bushes and rallying in the streets against the government. He later obtained freedom and reintegrated to the civil society. On the other hand, he also remained hooked with his dream of witnessing the success of his “Ing Bayung Arayat” (The New Arayat) Platform of Governance.

Through the good advice and guidance of his longtime friend, he was encouraged to pursue. This pushed him to run for a mayoralty position. His burning desire to achieve a progressive transformation of the Municipality of Arayat in the Province of Pampanga can only be realized if he runs and wins for a mayoralty position. He failed three attempts until his opportunity to win in the election proved to be God-given and uniquely predestined for him and for his own place and people.

Mayor Emmanuel M. Alejandrino, the Ex-Supremo “Bon” of the HMB, took his oath of office in June 2013 as the new Mayor of Arayat. He proudly waved in the air his platform – “Ing Bayung Arayat” Program for Arayatenos, a flagship that no one from among the previous administrations had deeply contemplated before. All his contemporaries failed to see the comforting shadow, grandeur and beauty of Mt. Arayat with its undiscovered magnificent potential that can embrace globally through a more innovative and efficient administration, good governance, citizen empowerment and sustainability that will uplift each Arayatenos’ quality of life.

After two years in office, Mayor Bon becomes a TALA Awardee for his exemplary performance as a municipal mayor as given by the Arayatenos Association of Southern California (AASC).

Thus, “Ing Bayung Arayat” Program was initiated and led to the transformation of Mt. Arayat National Park whose improvement and development was not sustained, but entirely overlooked after President Manuel L. Quezon invested his valued material,

time and effort to build it. That was almost 71 years ago and since 1933, Mt Arayat, where the oldest national park in the Philippines nestled has been abused. Its unruffled quality continued to silently roar. It remained unheard of and undeveloped.

For Mayor Emmanuel M. Alejandrino, “Ing Bayung Arayat” Program is an uprising, not a rebellion. It remained a great challenge and ambition to put Mt. Arayat in the world map as an Eco-Tourism destination, a preserver of nature’s flora and fauna, a zoological garden. It is a promising site that can help in mitigating global warming, a recreational and research site, source of livelihood among the Arayatenos, and a major supply of free potable water among the 8,847 population of Brgy. San Juan Bano where the water cisterns are located and maintained.

Mt. Arayat spring water is also a source of drinking water for barangay residents within its vicinity such as Lacquios, San Agustin Norte, San Agustin Sur, Camba, Tabuan, Suclayin, San Mateo, Mapalad, Plazang Luma, Gatiawin, Cacutud, etc.

Repairs and rehabilitation of the Mt. Arayat National Park is on-going with the provision of modern facilities, yearround reforestation and well-structured LGU management.

Funds to undertake the project comes merely from the LGU’s 20% Development Funds from the Annual Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA), a meager part comes from National, Regional and the Provincial government donations. Some funds are being personally solicited from private individuals, entities and close friends. These concerned citizens are one with Mayor Alejandrino’s belief that Mt. Arayat will pretty soon be a cornerstone to uplift the standard of living of his beloved Arayatenos.

Top Municipal Government’s Social and Environmental Responsibility Initiatives Since the first year in office of Mayor Alejandrino, he has been tackling in the delivery of the basic social services under his “Ing Bayung Arayat” Program. Various codes were enacted

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and implemented like the Gender and Development code which currently has been attaining awareness on equality of men and women in nation building. Others are Health and Sanitation Code; establishment, upgrading and repair of additional accredited and licensed Day Care Centers that has been providing early childhood attention to assist poor families in rearing their children. These centers are ran by license teaching staff infused with capacity training-workshops.

As Drop-in Centers for Children in Conflict with the Law (CICL) were constructed to curtail the escalating problem of juvenile delinquency. CICL has been efficiently providing temporary shelter and custody for these poor children as a way of protection from any threat within the community.

Under the educational services and community development, construction of additional classrooms, repair and replacement of the old and dilapidated school buildings through the support of the Department of Education and Department of Public Works and Highways were undertaken. Additional institutional materials and textbook were procured through the use of LGU’s revenues, proceeds of LGU’s solicitations and other donations.

Annual facilitation of seminar-workshop for school teachers was conducted. Scholarship funds through personal solicitation from Medina and Santos families, his close friends in the town of Arayat were granted to poor, but deserving students in college.

There was an improvement in the delivery system on health services and development. Constructions of Barangay Health and Birthing Stations in several barangays with the funding assistance from the Department of Health is on-going.

Establishment of additional birthing station in all Rural Health Units and training for maternal delivery and post-partum care that will minimize maternal and child mortality due to improper or insufficient medical care and family support is on-going, as well. Other on-going programs are the procurement of Dental/ Medical Supplies and Equipment and LGU’s facilitation of Anti-Drugs Campaign and Symposiums.

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Aside from the provision of basic support on infrastructure facilities to Agriculture, such as the construction and improvement of Farm-to-Market roads and irrigation systems, plus the maintenance of post-harvest facilities, a tractor and buffalo carabaos (60 heads) given as grants and presently are providing great support to the farmer recipients.

To promote Peace and Order in the Municipality, the construction of an extended and more convenient Municipal Police Headquarters is completed, as well as the construction of Tourist Police Station inside the National Park; Acquired Police Vehicle and Fire Truck; Community Police Assistance Centers in Barangays Suclayin/Camba and San Antonio with the use of Two-Way Radio for Communication Equipment for networking and linkaging are key contributing factors in maintaining peace and order situation under the “Ing Bayung Arayat” Program.

For disaster preparedness and safety measures, procurement by batch of search and rescue equipment for manmade and natural disasters continue. The Municipal Fire Station budgeted at Php700K is currently under construction.

Assistance to senior citizens aside from the National Government’s Social Pension and Philhealth Lifetime Coverage has been provided by the Arayat LGU through the “Ing Bayung Arayat” Program. Free medicines, vitamins and vaccinations for senior citizens are given. During the past three birthdays of Mayor Alejandrino, he spent it through a big gift-giving party exclusively attended by senior citizens.

The construction of the two main roads, the Arayat-Magalang and Jose Abad Santos, is on-going with the San Juan Bano road leading to Mt. Arayat National Park with a total of 19.41 kms.

In terms of environmental protection and natural resources management, Environment Code was enacted and implemented.

An initial of 15 Million was used for the rehabilitation of Mt. Arayat National Park and on its full-blast transformation, the

Most Outstanding Mayor Award 2016 LGU and its counterparts have spent around 84 Million. This project of Mayor Alejandrino is funded by local resources such as the completion of the Olympic-size swimming pool, and the procurement, installation and construction of other worldclass park facilities like hotels, lodging houses, restaurants, spa, sports and physical fitness center that can be possibly entered into a public-private partnership funding agreement.

the most populated among the 30 barangays of their municipality, and a resettlement site of Mt.Pinatubo displaced families.

The existing three pools have already been undergoing repair and improvement and more than almost two million amounts was reported as park gross earnings in terms of gate receipts since the LGU’s takeover with the increase in the number of daily visiting local and foreign tourists.

Huge water tanks are supplying Brgy. San Juan Bano, having a total estimated population of 8,847 as of 2014, of free potable water coming from the springs of Mt. Arayat. The need for a water cistern is as old as civilization, providing storage of water for drinking water, irrigation agriculture, fire suppression, agricultural farming, both for plants and livestock, chemical manufacturing, food preparation as well as many other applications.

To minimize flooding in certain low areas, additional construction of drainage canal is on-going prioritizing the vicinity of the Municipal Public Market. The completed improvement and construction of drainage system and desilted canals is measured at 2.4kms.

In order to maintain a clean environment free from any improperly disposed garbage, Municipal Recovery Facilities (central) and installation in each of the 30 barangays is budgeted at 3 Million as solicited from the Provincial Governor.The BUB have also allocated 3 Million for the Organic Fertilizer Making Facilities. Daily garbage collection is estimated at 16 metric tons dumped in a site distant from the residential areas.

On-going also is the year-round Mt. Arayat Tree Planting Project in line with the Philippine President’s Program in preservation and conservation of forest resources and a major means to mitigate climate change.

Basic Social Services Programs and Projects Integrated in Mayor Emmanuel M. Alejandrino’s “Ing Bayung Arayat” Program as a top priority project is the transformation of Mt. Arayat National Park. He believes that it is the most potential break for the Arayatenos to attain economic freed demand progress in the future. Mt. Arayat National Park as developed into a globally competitive standard that entailsenvironmental protection and community development. The Park is situated in Brgy. San Juan Bano,

Full blast improvement is still being undertaken inside the Mt. Arayat National Park. The Olympic size swimming pool is completed and the bungalow type cottages are now available for rental to visitors, local and foreign tourists.

Some 23,520 tree seedlings were planted by trained volunteers and implementers of tree planting coming from the 124,615 total population of municipality comprising of30 barangays. Today, the following are involve in the Reforestation/Greening Program: • 8,848 Youth/Public and Private High School Students • 395 Arayat LGU Employees • 300 Appointed Barangay Officials • 254 Secondary Public School Teachers • 92 Secondary Private School Teachers • 10 Park Admin Employees • 15 Park Volunteer Workers • 58 Park Rehab and Construction Employees Commercial, industrial and business entities have incorporate the municipal environmental policies in their Clean and Green Program.

Effective citizenship participation in local governance is a turnkey to poverty alleviation and sustainable human development. Democratization in local governance, whereby citizens are active participants in governance, is a challenging but altogether possible and necessary process to undertake.

Mayor Alejandrino value the people’s participation and empowerment as a prerequisite to good local governance.

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Most Outstanding Mayor Award 2016

Hon. Herbert Bautista Mayor, Quezon City NCR 10

Most Outstanding Mayor Award 2016

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ayor Herbert M Bautista is known as a pioneer and progressive advocate of solutions for environment issues and climate change. Under his leadership, Quezon City became the first city in the Philippines to implement a Green Building Ordinance, enforcing sustainable building designs throughout the city. He has mandated a greening program as a component of all road and real estate development projects. He is leading the city to reduce its carbon footprint through the shift of public facilities towards alternative energy sources, wider installation of systems for resource reuse, and restrictions in the use of nonbiodegradable materials such as plastic bags. His climate change mitigation activism has led to the recognition of the city's success stories in global forums and international movements, where he is recognized as a pioneer and a strong advocate of environmental and disaster-risk reduction programs.

Mayor Herbert M Bautista is known as a pioneer and progressive advocate of solutions for environment issues and climate change. Under his leadership, Quezon City became the first city in the Philippines to implement a Green Building Ordinance, enforcing sustainable building designs throughout

the city. He has mandated a greening program as a component of all road and real estate development projects. He is leading the city to reduce its carbon footprint through the shift of public facilities towards alternative energy sources, wider installation of systems for resource reuse, and restrictions in the use of nonbiodegradable materials such as plastic bags. His climate change mitigation activism has led to the recognition of the city's success stories in global forums and international movements, where he is recognized as a pioneer and a strong advocate of environmental and disaster-risk reduction programs.

Mayor Bautista's urban development framework anchors the City’s housing and resettlement program on disaster-risk reduction as well as quality of life enrichment. The priority is to move the poor from danger areas towards new townships, a project he is implementing in multiples, in collaboration with the private sector and national government agencies.

He has led the city towards the formulation and adoption of systematic frameworks for development that are aligned with the perspectives of the present and future vision of the city.

These foundations are the new Comrehensive Development

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Plan, the product of the democratized participation of the City Development Council; the new Comprehensive Land Use Plan which has resulted in the Amended Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance of 2013. He has also actively pushed for the city's enacment of an Investment Incentives Code, for the city to further stimulate the influx of desirable investments.

Mayor Bautista is probably one of the youngest officials of the Philippines who have had a long and fruitful experience in government and the youth movement.

He was elected into Office in May 2010 and reelected by a landslide for another term in 2013. Concurrently, he is the public relations officer for the National Capital Region of the League of Cities of the Philippines, as well as Chairman of the Social Development Committee of the Regional Development Council of the Metro Manila Development Authority.

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Prior to being Mayor, he was Vice Mayor of Quezon City for 12 years, leading the City Council to enact landmark ordinances for children, senior citizens, indigents, environmental protection, and many others, including the pioneering Green Building Ordinance.

His representation and advocacy of the youth sector is extensive. Mayor Herbert Bautista’s 25 years in local government service, started when he was Barangay Youth Leader at 17.

From 1986 to 1989, he was President of the Kabataang Barangay National Federation and was appointed ex-officio City Councilor representing the Youth Sector of Quezon City. From 1992 to 1995, he was elected Councilor of Quezon City and was concurrently Chairperson of the Committee on Tourism and Cultural Affairs. From 1999 to 2001, he was appointed by the President of the Philippines as the Commission-at-Large of the National Youth Commission.

Most Outstanding Mayor Award 2016 He was Vice Mayor of Quezon City for three terms, from 2001 to 2010, but previously already been Vice Mayor from 1995 to 1998, having been the youngest elected vice mayor of the City in 1995 at 27 years old.

In 1992, he graduated from the San Beda College of Manila with a baccalaureate degree in Philosophy and Letters. He was adjudged Most Outstanding Centennial Bedan Alumnus in recognition of his sterling contribution and leadership in civil governance and politics. He also has a Master's of Arts degree in Public Administration from the University of the Philippines National College of Public Administration and Governance (UP- NCPAG).

Mayor Bautista is also an alumnus of the National Defense College of the Philippines where he obtained his Master's degree in National Security Administration. He is working towards his Doctorate degree in Political Science (International Studies and Development) from the University of the Philippines.

In 2010, he was invited by the World Bank to take the course, “Leadership in Local Government: Decision, Action, Results (DARE) Program,� a Joint Training Program of the Singapore-World Bank Institute and the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy. In 2012, he was invited by the Singapore Government for a leadership course at the Temasek University where he led the Quezon City team to tackle the problems of socialized housing in Quezon City, adapting best practices from other parts of the world.

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Most Outstanding Mayor Award 2016

Atty. Ma. Rocelle V. Carolino Mayor, Municipality of Santa Maria Province of Laguna 14

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orn in San Rafael, Bulacan on June 27, 1973 to Roman S. Valdecantos and Nelia V. Valdecantos, MA. ROCELLE VALDECANTOS CAROLINO or CINDY is the youngest in a brood of six (6) with three older brothers and two older sisters.

She took up primary and secondary education at St. Paul School in Bulacan, then BS Commerce, Major in Management and Bachelor of Laws at San Sebastian College in Manila (SSC-Manila).

In between her studies, the ever active and energetic Cindy was also involved in other activities such as cheerleading for the San Sebastian Stags and elected to numerous positions in the Supreme Student Council throughout her eight (8) years stay at SSC – Manila.

As if her extra–curricular activities were not enough, she worked as Executive Secretary of Tupaz Marcos Arrojado Villarica law firm in Ortigas (1994 to 1995) and as Bank Teller at Allied Banking Corporation in Katipunan, QC (1995 to 1998) while studying law.

She met Antonio Carolino, a native of Sta. Maria, Laguna, her classmate in law school whom she married in April of 2002. Now they have three (3) children: Alroy (12), Aaron (9), André (7).

While reviewing for the Bar exams, Cindy got involved in the family business and after passing the Bar exams in 2002, she

practiced the legal profession. She became the Legal Counsel for Filipino Merchant’s Insurance Co. Inc., from May 2002 to December 2003, President of Golden Bough Corporation, from January 2004 to October 2006, and Managing Partner and Practicing Lawyer of Geonzon Law Offices from November 2006 until she was elected Mayor of Santa Maria in 2013.

THE RELUCTANT POLITICIAN She took the reins of being the Local Chief Executive of Santa Maria when her husband Atty. Antonio Carolino ran for a seat in Congress after his first term as Mayor of the town from 2010 to 2013.

It was not in her plans to enter public service but the people’s clamor for her to replace her husband as Mayor was strong.

The women and the senior citizens whom she advocated for, worked with and helped during her husband’s term beseeched to continue her husband’s programs and projects. In the end, she relented to the pressure and ran as Mayor of Santa Maria in 2013.

THE INDEFATIGABLE PUBLIC SERVANT As mayor of Santa Maria, Cindy took on the job with passion and an indefatigable spirit the way she treats every challenge put before her. Aside from just continuing the projects and programs of her husband, she improved on these, added and expanded the projects and programs to accelerate the development of the town.

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Most Outstanding Mayor Award 2016

Most notably, Mayor Cindy expanded the College Scholarship Program of the LGU to adopt more scholars and increase their allowances by adjusting the local budget for the program. She expanded the coverage of the feeding program for day care children to include children in primary grade levels.

Mayor Cindy also expanded the livelihood assistance program of the LGU to include individual farmer families and not just the organized farmer cooperatives, groups or association.

Numerous infrastructure projects were also completed under Mayor Cindy’s watch that includes a new and bigger Rural Health Unit Main Health Center; a new Barangay Health Station and Birthing Home in Brgy. Cambuja and Brgy. J. Santiago; repair and construction of Day Care Centers in several barangays; transfer of the PNP Station to a bigger building, and establishment of the Santa Maria Fire Station.

She also facilitated the construction of the P300M River Protection project of the Laguna Lake Development Authority which concreted more than 5 kilometers of river walls to prevent erosion along the Santa Maria river and flooding in the poblacion.

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Mayor Cindy also facilitated the construction of a multipurpose covered court in the town plaza funded by the Office of Sen. Tito Sotto, and the Farm-to-Market roads funded

by Sen. Cynthia Villar and Sen. Bongbong Marcos.

To improve the security of business and the citizens of Santa Maria, Mayor Cindy erected more than 100 LED lamp posts in the town proper under her Streetlighting project. She put up CCTV cameras along the public areas and major intersections to serve as deterrent against crimes. She also equipped the Disaster Risk Reduction Management (DRRM) Office of the LGU. Mayor Cindy also advocates for the protection of the environment as manifested by the more than 290 hectares of land reforested in accordance with National Greening Program and tree planting projects of the LGU. She also put up the Municipal Materials Recovery Facility thereby implementing the Waste Segregation Program of the municipality.

Under her leadership, Mayor Cindy also improved and expanded the town’s water system which supplies potable water to eight (8) more barangays with more than 2,000 households.

Most Outstanding Mayor Award 2016 AWARD-WINNING LEADERSHIP Because of her proactive and progressive-driven leadership anchored in a clear vision for Santa Maria and its citizens, the Local Government of Santa Maria, became a consistent awardee of recognitions for its good governance practices. Santa Maria was awarded the 2014 Silver Grade Seal of Good Housekeeping and Good Financial Housekeeping and the most-coveted SEAL OF GOOD LOCAL GOVERNANCE of 2015 from the Department of Interior and Local Government.

Her leadership is also recognized by fellow Local Chief Executives from Laguna who elected her as Treasurer of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines Laguna and Chairman of the Baybay Interlocal Health Zone.

THE CARING MOTHER Mayor Cindy is the mother of Santa Maria who nurtures her children (citizens) to become good and proper adults, takes care of the household (the town), and manages the daily household activities and chores in the LGU. She does all of these while being a mother of her three young boys who go to school in Manila. She shuttles back and forth, to and from Manila and Laguna weekly so that she can spend time with them. Unlike her previous life as a private citizen, she misses her boys most of the days when she is tending to the needs of the people of Santa Maria. For all of this, she is a MOST OUTSTANDING MAYOR AWARDEE.

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Most Outstanding Mayor Award 2016

Hon. Heidee L. Ganigan-Chua Mayor, Municipality of Asingan Province of Pangasinan 18

Most Outstanding Mayor Award 2016

Skills Training for Women

Provision Of Educational Assistance To Children With Disabilities Under STAC

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Provision Of Vitamin A To Children

Assistance To Senior Citizens

Provision Of Assistive Device

“CHUA CARES”

ayor Heidee Laroya Ganigan-Chua was born on March 30, 1971 in Calepaan, Asingan, Pangasinan to Mining Engineer Federico Bustillo Ganigan, Sr. and former Municipal Councilor and former Punong Barangay Zenaida Ladero Laroya-Ganigan. She took up her law studies at the Lyceum of the Philippines University, Makati City. Before going to the law school, she finished her AB Mass Communications major in Journalism at the University of the Philippines, Baguio City and Bachelor of Science in Community Development at University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City. She is a member of various organizations and currently the Treasurer of the League of Municipalities, Pangasinan Chapter since 2010. She is also a Commissioned Reserved Officer (Captain) of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

In 2007, she ran for Municipal Councilor and proclaimed No. 1 legislator garnering an overwhelming votes. Later in 2009, she succeeded the Office of the Vice Mayor. She was awarded and highly recognized as Achiever of Asingan, Outstanding ViceMayor and Outstanding Presiding Officer in 2009. In 2010, she was elected the new Local Chief Executive where she was given the citation for being the first woman ever elected as Municipal Mayor of Asingan. In her pursuit to improve the delivery of services, her thrust made her run again for the post. God’s grace, passion for service and the earned trust from the people of Asingan led her to regaining the mayoralty for the second time.

Under her administration, the local government of Asingan received recognitions for adopting the social technology project, enhanced sheltered workshop for persons with disabilities and senior citizens which led its way into reaping one of the most prestigious awards – THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNIT OF THE YEAR (2015) for the institution of the Philippine Disability Affairs Office (PDAO) and having put up the Sheltered Workshop for PWDs, health services, and distribution of mobility assistive devices. This award was given by the Philippine Foundation for the Rehabilitation of the Disabled, Inc. and was presented by his Excellency President Benigno Simeon Aquino III on September 29, 2015 at Heroes Hall, Malacañan Palace.

In 2011, the LGU also received the Seal of Good Housekeeping Award being one of the best performing Local Government Units in the country. Countless recognition also poured into the local government of Asingan under her initiative. It ranked number 1 municipality in Pangasinan for the implementation of Tax Payment of Real Property, garnered a rating of 95.79%, an equivalent to a descriptive rating of EXCELLENT for remarkable compliance to the Anti-Red Tape Act. In 2012, Asingan again received the Seal of Good Housekeeping (Silver Award) for its relentless effort in advancing the principles of accountability and transparency in local governance.

In 2013, she was re-elected Municipal Mayor. Her proficiency in public service contributed to the numerous recognition and awards received by the local government of Asingan- a reflection of her relentless effort to render the “Serbisyong Tapat Para sa Lahat.” In 2014, the Council for the Welfare of Children awarded Asingan with the Seal of Child-Friendly Local Governance for its commitment in promoting Child Rights to Survival, Development, Protection and Participation toward a Child Friendly Philippines.

Mayor Chua is also a recipient/awardee of the Outstanding A & E Program Implementer Award in the Municipal category for two consecutive years for her support to the Alternative Learning System Accreditation and Equivalency Program.

She was again acclaimed as one of the top performers and one of the most outstanding public officials in Pangasinan for her remarkable service in 2015. A strong woman of virtue, she gets all her strengths from her inspiration, Dir. Peter Altura Chuaformer member of the Board of Directors of Pangasinan Electric Cooperative III (PANELCO) and their three children-Athena Ira, Peter Ivan and Ianne Louise.

C. H. U. A. C. A. R. E. S. INITIALS TO GOOD GOVERNANCE Performance-based governance requires capability, commitment and dedication. It is embodied in every letter of the acronym CHUA CARES under the banner of “Serbisyong Tapat Para sa Lahat.”

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Most Outstanding Mayor Award 2016

Provision Of Educational Assistance To Children With Disabilities Under STAC

Agri Pinoy

C-HILD CARE AND PROTECTION With the collective effort of the Department of Social Welfare and Development and this administration, services and support have been imparted to the young people of Asingan. Counseling, educational assistance and day care services are the main components of the social welfare and development programs that we continuously convey to our children. In adherence to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Children (UN CRC), the local government made a strong pursuit in protecting and preserving the rights of the children.

Pag-asa Youth Associations, with the purpose of empowering and transforming the young people were organized in different barangays of the municipality. This youth organization would help the young people contribute to nation building through their active participation and involvement on serious issues affecting their well-being.

Further, we provide immunization, dental service, medicines and vitamins to children especially the school children who are undernourished or severely wasted and conduct a yearly search for Orally-fit Child as part of our child care program.

H-EALTH AND SANITATION One of the main objectives of my governance is the protection of life and health of every individual. Through our Rural Health Units (RHU I in Poblacion East and RHU II in Bantog), maternal care for pregnant women, immunization to children, thorough monitoring of safe water levels, medical and dental missions, dengue brigade/ campaign against dengue and clean-up drive are amongst the activities/programs fully actualized. The local government received a commendation from the Department of Health for its significant strides toward achieving the national goals and targets of the National Tuberculosis Program and for demonstrating improvement over the past years. We were also given the Scroll of Honor from the Philippine Red Cross for our continuous humanitarian effort in providing available blood to our constituents. Every barangay was also provided with accessible and more improved Health Centers.

U-NDERSTANDING THE APPLICATION OF GENDER AND DEVELOPMENT Analysis of gender skills is an important component in sustainable capacity building. This helps us understand the different social concerns and inequities based on gender. We support in full blast various activities that facilitate gender needs of women. We

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Nego-kart

ensure that women are integrated into the development processes such as in formulation of development policy and plans. Trainings were also conducted to fully develop awareness amongst women of their social responsibilities and capacities that will bring about change for gender equality. We believe that involvement of women like me as key stakeholders in planning, capacity development, and implementation of activities will make them more effective citizens and will eventually contribute to economic development of Asingan.

For the realization of our advocacy towards women empowerment, gender-sensitive public promotion campaign will be developed to enhance women’s knowledge and skills. We provide sustainable livelihood program to our very active and abled KALIPI (Kalipunan ng Liping Pilipina) members in Asingan such as trainings on hograising, deep bedding, vegetable production, bag weaving made of water hyacinth or water lily, meat processing, hair cutting, massage therapy, baking and many more.

A-GRICULTURAL ADVANCEMENT Through the joint initiative of this administration and the Department of Agriculture, a number of agricultural projects are now being initiated. Among these are the Small Water Impounding Project in Macalong that could provide supplemental source of irrigation in the rain fed areas, help prevent soil erosion as well as flooding of farm lands and mitigate the effect of drought; seed production and distribution of certified seeds from Food and Agricultural Organization were actualized in different barangays and assisted those typhoon-stricken/affected areas/farming communities; distribution of water pumps with engines at 50:50 scheme under the rice program; and conducted seminars on Corn Technology in coordination with the East West Seed Company; distribution of tilapia fingerlings; also conducted massive rat control to affected farming areas in the municipality; free vaccination to cows, goats and dogs; and integration of the Agri-Pinoy program to the local government plans in order to meet the principles of ensuring the sustainability of agriculture and fisheries, local development and food security in Asingan.

The municipality of Asingan is an agricultural town with almost eighty percent (80%) of its land is devoted to farming. Its main products are rice, corn, coconut, mango and vegetables such as eggplant, ampalaya, cucumber. These are mostly sold either through middlemen or in markets of neighboring towns. In our desire to augment the income of our farmers, enhance their farming & economic activity, create job opportunities to unemployed residents, and additional revenue for the local government, we

Most Outstanding Mayor Award 2016

Tilapia Farming

Feeding Program

Local Government Unit of 2015

have carefully scrutinized the building of a trading post in the municipality. This new project will enable farmers to earn more since they can directly sell their products in the trading center and avoid dealing with middlemen. The LGU of Asingan will monitor and allocate funds for the enhancement of the facility.

C-REATION OF LIVELIHOOD AND COMMUNITY WEALTH As an advocate of prosperity and community development, we supported the construction of the Milk processing plant in barangay Bantog of this municipality. The availability of nonmilking buffalos increases for sale while the Asingan Sheep and Goat Raisers Association is now increasing its stock of goats and sheep. This would not only generate income but also employment for the people of Asingan. We also provided basic services and conducted seminars and trainings for our constituents to better equip them with the necessary know-how. Through the provision of sustainable livelihood projects, poor families or constituents from the marginalized sector particularly the self-employed, unemployed and even the unpaid family workers from informal industry and those employed who still need to augment their income will be able to have a sustainable resources. Asingan has viable programs/projects in partnership with different agencies such as water hyacinth product development of the DSWD and NEGOKART or ‘negosyo sa kariton’, an integrated livelihood program of the DOLE for ambulant vendors.

A-WARENESS AND ACTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE Among the activities performed to address the people of the effects of climate change and respond to this vulnerable natural problem are the simultaneous tree planting activities held in all barangays, clean-up drives to all the municipality’s waterways such as rivers and canals. The local government of Asingan, in partnership with the Department of Agriculture distributes mahogany seedlings to every barangay. The LGU also advocates organic farming to further protect the environment.

E-DUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT We incessantly provide educational and employment services to the townspeople. Infrastructure services or projects such as Farm-to-Market Roads, rehabilitation of irrigation canals, road widening, construction of CHB lined canals in every barangay, construction of the Small Water Impounding Project in Macalong are among the projects that can generate work/employment among the constituents. Our goal of providing quality education through the construction of Day Care Centers, rehabilitation of classrooms and construction of additional classrooms are realized through the collective effort of stakeholders, officials and the teaching force of Asingan. We also support the Alternative Learning System, provide school supplies and instructional materials, training and development and also direct assistance to schools and learners.

Potential indigent students were provided with scholarship program and recommendations were given to them to avail of scholarship programs from other educational institutions. Most of our then municipal scholars are now teachers and successful in their chosen fields. At present, we cater 141 potential scholars who were chosen from among the indigent families in the municipality.

S-UPPORT TO EVERY SECTORS OF THE SOCIETY Every year, we conduct feeding programs, medical, dental and blood donation drive almost quarterly or if needed. We continually work hard to support the youth sector, senior citizens, private sector, religious sector; the marginalized sector especially the poor by provision of access to all essential factors in human development and in the protection of their rights and interests.

During my term, 100% of barangays have access to electricity.

Water supply and irrigation system were also improved. Our public market was also enhanced to invite market goers from different towns. It has been the goal of this humble servant to serve the people with the keen understanding of their needs and accomplishing what must be carried out.

ARYA ASINGAN!

Distribution Of Mahogany Seedlings To Barangays

Feeding Program

Construction Of Foot Bridges

R-ENEWAL OF FAITH AND MORAL EXCELLENCE Uplifting the moral and spiritual values of the people is the most significant service not only to our constituents but most importantly to the Almighty God. Through this, we can perform our given tasks efficiently without hesitations. Every Monday, during the flag raising ceremony, we invite pastors and preachers from different religious sectors to share the gospel of the Lord.

Ultimately, a God-fearing municipality will result to a more united and well-developed society.

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Most Outstanding Mayor Award 2016

Hon. Celso Olivier T. Dator Mayor, Municipality of Lucban Province of Quezon 22

Most Outstanding Mayor Award 2016

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ooking back at the two and a half years of his Administration, Mayor Celso Olivier T. Dator feels somewhat gratified at the results. The prime goods of his administration succeeded in terms of social responsibilities, agriculture, health, tourism, infrastructure, nutrition, cleanliness, health and sanitation, food security, peace and order, education, culture and sports, and other numerous aspects of public services and governance for which he received awards, of recognition, citations and commendations, namely: • Most Outstanding Mayor Award 2015 from Superbrand Marketing International, Makati City • Most Outstanding Mayor of CALABARZON 2015 • Most Outstanding Municipality of CALABARZON 2015 • Top Destination of Same-Day Visitors from 1.6 Million in 2013 to 3.897 Million in 2014 in Region IV-A • Best Regional Partner Award- Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) Bangon Kabuhayan – Funds from DSWD • Best Regional Micro-Enterprise Project in Region IV-A Tourism • First Place, Cluster Model, Lucban SLP Federation, Region IV-A • Seal of Good Financial Housekeeping 2014, conferred by Provincial Government • Completed Construction of Shelter for Youth Offenders and Crisis Center from DSWD Funds • Completed Construction of Birthing House or Lying-In Clinic at remote densely populated Barangay from DOH Funds.

• Completed Construction of Building for Early Childhood Care (O-4.5years) • Construction of Green House at the Municipal Plant Nursery for High Value Crops • Consistent Increase of Rice Production from 6,701,000 MT in 2013 to 9,377,000 MT in 2015, surplus 3,657 MT for 50,063 population.

• Pahiyas Festival is Lucban's showcase for its people's ceaseless creativity and artistry. Indeed when such creativity ceases Lucban artists can no longer give significance for the human and social experience, the trinity of beauty, truth and goodness. Pahiyas is a unifying force because it makes those links that bind Lucbanin together as community committed to the cause of man. So for the first time, Mayor Oli extended the Pahiyas Festival for three days and followed it up until

December with Paskong Payas and Graduation Month Payas in March, which are all sights to see for local and foreign tourists.

• Seasonal (dry and wet) Distribution of Free Certified Rice and Vegetable seeds from DA to 1,528 Farmers.

• Distribution of Free (75) Sacks of Commercial Fertilizers: 50 sacks of Organic Fertilizers (40 sacks to Lucban Organic Farmers: 10 sacks to Municipal Nursery) from Department of Agriculture • Distribution of 150,000 Tilapia Fingerlings and 50,000 Carpa Fingerlings to 241 Lucban Aquatic Farmers/Fishpond Owners • Continuing Scholarship Grants to Elementary, Secondary and Collegiate Students from LGU Funds • Free Artificial Insemination to 44 Carabaos; 279 Farm Animals Dewormed and Acquisition of 83 Italian Buffaloes.

• Creation and operation of PLEB (People’s Law Enforcement Board) – Receiving entity for any citizen’s complaint against erring and abusive members of PNP. • Conducted Medical-Dental-Surgical Missions for Children and Adults greatest which was St. Luke’s SagipBayan Foundation and Ephpheta Foundation which served 2,562 Lucbanin in their two day mission (483-Medical, 326-Consultation, 174-ECG, 186-Minor Surgery, 558-Dental, 463-Eye Consultation, 56-Cataract and Ptyegium Operations) • Intensification and Popularizing Anti-Drug Abuse and Anti-Littering Laws & Zero Plastic Ordinances.

• Free Anti-Rabies Vaccination of 1,973 dogs and cats to make Lucban Town 100% Rabies Free.

• Eradication of Cocolisap Infestation of Coconut Tress and Distribution of 2000 Coconut Seedlings.

• Clean-up Drive among government employees (LGU) and Students in and around the town proper every third Saturday of the month.

• Holy Mass at the Town Hall every First Friday of the Month.

• Mass Wedding and Baptism for Christian Couples and Children.

• Supplemental Feeding of underweight and severely underweight children for 105 days.

• Harnessing of women power for livelihood through KALIPI (Kalipunan ng Liping Pilipina) and RIC (Rural Improvement Club) for poultry (native chicken) and swine (hog) raising and handicrafts

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Most Outstanding Mayor Award 2016

KALIPI – it is always a fitting occasion for Mayor Oli’s Administration to praise him for finding in his wife the idea that a woman’s being is not co-terminus with her maternal role but who would rather serve not only as true loving wife to him but also an active role in society and their home both belong and living together in a house. Oli believes his wife will also be primarily concerned with the areas of basic human needs, to give livelihood to women necessary for the soul of Lucban community, to be what God intended her to be, a help to all who need sympathy, compassion and love. And so Cel Gina, the Mayor’s wife responded and dedicated her service, through the KALIPI, to her husband’s turf which basic values of family life on which the Lucban community is built.

• Free Anti-Flu Vaccines to 400 Senior Citizens and Yearly Financial Aid to Sinag-Kalinga, home for the aged.

• Funded 100 small (first tranche) family livelihood entrepreneurship worth almost P1 million loan at very low interest counterpart.

• Closely monitoring the concreting of six (6) farm-tomarket roads and Lucban Farmers Trading Post, a Philippine Rural Development Program (PRDP) worth 76 Million and awaiting another PRDP’s P125 Million concrete bridge and FMR (Farm-to-Market) Barangay Roads.

• Recently Awarded Most Outstanding Municipal Agriculture and Fishery Council by the 2015 Provincial Saka-Search for Agricultural Achievers.

• Construction of Lucban Public Museum

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The list is endless and to recount them sufficiently seems impossible now due to constraint of time and space we put a stop here, with great optimism that it will further lengthen, with six more months to pursue Mayor Oli’s program and project which have fared very well thus justifying the rational, devotion and compassion and efforts that his Administration put into endeavor including the cooperation and sacrifice of the people. (The achievements/accomplishments of Mayor Oli’s Administration will be consolidated into one detailed whole report in his Ulat sa Bayan 2015 tabloid in June 2015-RPM) and hope that with some more sacrifice and dedication from those concerned, Lucban’s progress will continue moving towards a better life for the advancement of the community and better life for the people.

The magnitude of the challenge of socio-economic development which Mayor Oli’s Administration cannot be met successfully, he admits, by him alone. It demands no less than the concentrated effort of Lucban population. It calls for a massive community movement. He therefore calls upon Lucbanin here and abroad to extend or dedicate patriotic efforts and energies to the great task at hand and coming so that our present and future undertakings and endeavor for our socio-economic upliftment especially the poor among us will lead to a proud, grateful and glorious climax to peace, prosperity and happiness.

Most Outstanding Mayor Award 2016

Sometimes Mayor Oli senses though there is only one possible group that can throw a monkey wrench to his call for unity and cooperation – “Sama-sama, Tulong-Tulong”.

To minimize people’s difficulties in the matter of onenessthe thoughtless uncivic-spirited political foes who would seize every opportunity for their benefit without regard for the plight of Lucbanin, as in the case when water supply to households dwindled due to climate change and old-leaking pipes. It was blamed on him and trumped up baseless accusations. Mayor Oli’s appeals to them or those who have moral authority over them, to extend their helping hands (not their continuing criticism through the Facebook) for the people’s good and for their own.

But if Mayor Oli must be accused before his people, let it be so, he would welcome it. But in his present leadership, he cannot shirk his responsibility. His time has come to redress the balance on the side of the people. For he leads in a time of challenges to serve them and at this rare opportunity.

Mayor Oli firmly believes that it’s right and well for his Administration to accord to the law, the sanctity that it deserves from all. At the same time, the Law after all, is the will of the people, and the people have the sovereign right when they so prefer or choose, to remold or bend the Rule and make it more fully and rapidly responsive to the immediate needs and general welfare of the community. But the Law, particularly, the Local Government’s has been prophetic that it provided the general “welfare clause” and truly majestic and our democratic system truly viable.

The Local Government Administration may have been accused of circumventing or violating process of the Law, and yet it is invoked to protect, not the public interest or general welfare, but narrow partisan interests and argument for the preservation of continuity of entrenched privilege for the obstruction of meaningful remedy and urgent needs that explosive exigencies of the times should no longer be resorted to a people’s initiative that is time-consuming and out of time.

Our Local Government Laws or the Constitution in general, is a growing organism. It is not a rigid nor fossilized framework as to withstand the pressures and stress of exigent or changing times. The Law or Act foretold a forward moving and progressive government – liberal government with a social conscience. It understands the environmental changes being thrust up from obscurity by the changes that are taking place or yet to unfold: An Administration or Government must have to achieve and sufficiently succeed: Meanwhile, the KARABAN ni OLI continues to move on bringing the Local Government closer to the grassroots level and delivering as ever medicines, plant seeds, fertilizer, farm tools and equipment and hearing their problems and offering them quick solutions to alleviate their problems or difficulties.

The facts are clear, what Mayor Oli’s Administration says it means. When he says it shall not withdraw from its call for cooperation – for the general welfare of the people, it means just that.

The moving force behind all these and other achievements is one that has long been known to the local and national government. "The reason we in the local administration have moved so fast can only be that we have practiced good government."

Another reason for our success, can, therefore, only be that Oli’s Administration has better use of its limited resources and outside resources available to the local government. Implementing a program is a program of organization. The administration realized this fact from the beginning and acted accordingly. The Local Government decided, besides an infrastructure of public works project, what may be called an invisible infrastructure of organization and good government. It therefore has to rely on what it could raise from more efficient collection of existing taxes and on the betterment of existing internal and external resources.

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Most Outstanding Mayor Award 2016

Hon. Bernard Faustino M. Dy Mayor, City of Cauayan Province of Isabela 26

Most Outstanding Mayor Award 2016

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015 marks the 275th Founding Anniversary of Cauayan City. It was a whole-year celebration highlighting the beginnings of Cauayan as a small town in 1740 and its evolution as a progressive and vibrant city in the course of time until the present. Our journey in 2015 gave us the best of both worlds: tracing back the city’s historical grandeur on one hand while pursuing towards a technologically-advanced, innovative, and smarter, intelligent City of Cauayan.

SMARTER CAUAYAN CITY Being one of the fastest growing economies in Cagayan Valley, Cauayan City has been recognized by the Department of Science and Technology as the first Smarter City in the Philippines. This recognition has enabled Cauayan City be showcased as Smarter City during the Summit of Smarter City Leaders in Singapore and Malaysia. With the vision to be a digitally-enabled city, Cauayan City is the first in the Philippines to have free public wifi and installed 2 LED screens which are innovative tools for promotion and information dissemination. We also hosted the IT-BPM Roadshow, the first to be conducted in the region, and created the ICT Council to assess the capability of Cauayan City to host and be the industry hub of IT-BPM operation towards becoming part of the Next Wave Cities. We will soon be the First Fiber City in the Philippines in order to efficiently implement digital solutions to the social needs of the people.

SMARTER EDUCATION We have strengthened our Scholarship Program extending educational support to college students under Full Scholarship and Academic Program, as well as the Athletic Scholarship Program to cater the needs most especially of our out-of-schoolyouth who have the potential in sports. Our assistance for education to employment has been strengthened by actively participating in job fairs and trade promotion programs. Our distribution of school bags and school supplies for students in public schools has always been sustainable where we have a total of 29,106 school materials distributed throughout the barangays.

Cauayan City was chosen to be the venue of the first leg of Project 888 of YesPinoy Foundation attended by almost 2,000 students all over the region promoting leadership training and youth development. Our City Mobile Library had become more effective and efficient in promoting education and computer literacy throughout schools and barangays with its increase internet connectivity where a total of 8,220 students served.

Our New City Library is almost in its completion towards an innovative center of education and research and development.

SMARTER HEALTHCARE We led the Inter-Local Health Zone District III Isabela Governing Board to form partnership with other municipalities in order to strengthen the implementation of the mandate of the Department of Health in extending healthcare to the different sectors of the community especially in the barangay level. We have created additional Rural Health Unit to serve more people in need of health care. We actively implemented nutritional programs such as promotion of practice in good nutrition, infant and young child feeding, health, oral health and diabetes awareness training programs, “Alkansiya para sa Buntis,” Operation Timbang and Supplementary Feeding Programs. Through these efforts, we have reduced number of severely underweight, underweight and overweight cases to nearly 50%. Another milestone happened when Cauayan City, in partnership with Philippine Sports Commission and Provincial Government of Isabela, hosted the Walk A Mile for

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Most Outstanding Mayor Award 2016

Senior Citizens Activity with more than 1,000 senior citizens, the largest number of participants for this program. We distributed 61 assistive devices and financial assistance for the payment of physical therapy and artificial leg of our PWD’s. Our unified efforts in sustaining and reinforcing our health programs have enabled us to be declared as Regional Awardee for Best Infant and Young Child Feeding Implementer, Grand Champion in Batang Radyo sa Nutrisyon Congress 2015, 2nd Year Consistent Regional Outstanding Winner in Nutrition Maintenance and recipient of Seal of Child Friendly Local Governance.

PEACE AND ORDER To increase the physical presence of our Philippine National police, we provided two mobile patrol cars in addition to our SWAT and Special Reaction Unit as we move towards the eradication of crime incidence in the city. We have also formalized the operation of our Crime Laboratory, the first scientific laboratory which will be very helpful in crime investigation for our Scene of the Crime Operatives. We are also the first to establish Human Rights Action Center in the barangays in order to address and prevent human rights violations at the barangay level. We have institutionalized our City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) equipped with new CCTV monitors and advance equipment to enable immediate response to emergencies and disasters. The CDRRMO is undeniably one of the most effective implementing arms of the City Government with respect to emergency and disaster response as it has been declared as a Hall of Fame Awardee of the National Gawad Kalasag for Best Government Emergency Response Management, and received the Regional Excellence Award for Disaster Prepared LGU of the Year and 1st place regional Level GEMs Advance Category.

SMARTER AGRICULTURE With the aim to sustain production of vegetables in the barangays, the City Nursery was able to produce 154,460 assorted vegetable seedlings which were distributed to 712 households as part of the Gulayan sa Barangay project. In line with the Seed

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Assistance Program of the Department of Agriculture Region 2, we have distributed 7,474 bags of certified seeds and 666 bags of hybrid seeds to rice farmers in 28 irrigated barangays and 600 bags of corn seeds in 23 barangays affected by typhoon Lando and Nona. 530 indigent families were beneficiaries of the Capital Seed Fund of P5,000 under the Sustainable Livelihood Program.

Foliar fertilizers were also granted to 7,328 farmer beneficiaries for plant growth and development. As a measure to rehabilitate the affected corn areas damaged by drought, the City Government, together with the Provincial Government and Department of Agriculture, initiated the Seed and Cash Assistance Program where we were able to distribute bags of quality hybrid corn seeds including cash assistance to a total of 2,797 corn farmers and also distributed 20 units of pump irrigation system to 20 farmers in order to mitigate the effect of El-Nino, apart from the Small Water Impounding Project. These initiatives aim to ensure sufficient irrigation delivery for a sustainable production. Our extensive projects for agriculture have enabled us to be chosen to host the National Congress for Agriculture Cooperative. We will operate the 1st Agri-Van to provide technology demonstrations and technical support on good agricultural practices. These efforts have led us on our road to being declared as Hall of Fame Awardee in National Quality Corn Achievers Award.

SMARTER LIVELIHOOD To provide assistance to our micro, small and medium enterprises, we have institutionalized our Go Negosyo Center and City Showroom in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry. Cauayan City has been chosen to host the Globe My Business Day, first to be conducted outside Metro Manila, especially created for MSME’s and the business sector as part of trade promotion program to help them be more competitive through technology solutions. We likewise strengthened our livelihood programs that enabled us be awarded as Regional Winner in 2015 Gawad Parangal Search for the Best Performing LGU-Cooperative Development Office, 2nd Place– Best Performing Non-Agribased Cooperative (Medium Category), 2nd Place– National CDA Gawad Parangal 2015

Most Outstanding Mayor Award 2016 TOURISM One of our banner celebrations in 2015 is the grand opening of Hacienda de San Luis, our newest attraction and our first ecotourism park, which is one of the major accomplishments under the Public-Private Partnership Program. We opened and restored old structures of the Spanish era for the enjoyment of the public, particularly the City Museum which contains artifacts and pictures to know more about the history of Cauayan as well as Tabacalera’s tobacco industry; La Flor, a multi-purpose events place highly recommended as venue of seminars and other occasions with more or less 2,000 seating capacity; and the recreation area with zip line just right to give you a perfect family bonding. More exciting attractions are to be awaited such as jettyport, horseback riding, Cagayan River Cruise and the Science Centrum. This celebration also marked the confirmation of our friendship with Rustavi City, Republic of Georgia, additional to our sister cities to strengthen our cultural exchanges towards world peace and sustainable development.

Another must-see that we have newly opened is the first wakeboard park not just in Cauayan City but in the province of Isabela, utilizing our waters for an extreme and exciting sports activity. This is part of the success of the celebration of our 14th Cityhood Anniversary and our Gawagaway-yan Festival with the theme “Diecisiete Cuarenta, Celebrating 275 Years of Cauayan, Isabela.”

It also marked another milestone for the City of Cauayan, after we have been successfully declared as the Guinness Book of World Records holder for largest parade of tricycles with sidecars with a total of 681 tricycles included in the official count. Our traditional carabao race was also featured in History Channel Asia showcasing the importance of these carabaos in the life of our farmers. All of these events are truly manifestation of the significance of our history and culture in molding what we are to be in the future.

SMARTER GOVERNMENT The Department of the Interior and Local Government with the help of Isabela State University conducted survey where the overall Citizen Satisfaction Index exhibited a satisfactory performance of delivering basic social services. We also conducted consultative

meetings with the 65 barangays and successfully passed the ISO Surveillance Audit in Quality Management System. As part of our innovations in governance, we will also enhance our citizen’s ID to be Gcash-enabled for money-less transactions. For a more effective and efficient governance, we will enhance the use of information and communications technology in the implementation of our basic social services through the establishment of Tech4Ed Centers in barangays in partnership with Information and Communications Technology Office-Region 2 of the Department of Science and Technology. The Tech4Ed project aims teach assist people in the barangays, especially out-of-school youth, teachers, students, PWD’s, senior citizens, women, entrepreneurs and indigenous sector about the use of technology to provide technical and digital solutions in education, employment, entrepreneurship towards economic development, in line with the new Sustainable Development Goals.

INFRASTRUCTURES We have been continuously strengthening our efforts in road concreting and road widening projects. Pieces of flood gauge were also installed to monitor and prevent incidence of floods. To keep close monitoring of peace and order within the city, we installed additional state-of-the-art CCTV Cameras and streetlights. A new site of Public Cemetery was also constructed to solve congestion problem in the old cemeteries. Cauayan City will also have its first footbridge with an elevator especially created for the convenience and accessibility of persons with disabilities. Some of the flagship projects of the City Government in the coming years include the Cauayan City Sports Complex, Bagsakan Center, construction of PWD Center, site for Hall of Justice, construction of modern slaughterhouse, development of wastewater and septage treatment facility under the Public-Private Partnership Program and the construction of diversion road.

2015 was indeed a year of progress for the City of Cauayan and this is just another stepping stone to be even better in the years to come, to fully realize our vision of making Cauayan City the IDEAL CITY OF THE NORTH.

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Most Outstanding Mayor Award 2016

Hon. Napoleon Ebdane Edquid Mayor, Municipality of Candelaria Province of Zambales 30

Most Outstanding Mayor Award 2016

LEADERSHIP THAT GEARS TOWARD SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

T

he Foundation of progress is the source of its sustainability. Mayor Napoleon Ebdane Edquid is being guided by this conviction. As he lead the Local Government Unit, it was very evident that he knew what needs to be done to propel prosperity in this beloved town.

Participatory Governance. Mayor Nap always listens to the cry of his constituents, and sectoral participation is very vital in any decision-making process. He greatly believes that participatory governance is a key to unity towards prosperity.

Immediately after assuming his oath, Mayor Nap worked towards making a strong foundation of Good Governance: Geared towards sustainable development:

Stay in Focus. As problems and challenges surround his leadership, being always in focus of what is needed to be achieved is his direction. Make the best out of the available resources and be determined in reaching the goal has been a lesson that can be learned in his leadership.

Transparency and Accountability. It has been his solid administration policy that every Local Government Officials and Employees must, at all times, be responsible and accountable to the Public. Local Government Programs, projects and expenditures are responsibly disclosed and all public requests and concerns are addressed promptly.

Leadership by Example. Probably, the most accurate description of his personal and professional competencies.

Walking the talk is his way of showing that he is dedicated in pursuing the change that everyone wants to happen.

Commitment and Hard work. Mayor Nap tirelessly works hand in hand with fellow officials, employees and partner agencies and organizations in seeking solutions to problems and challenges being faced by the Local Government. He has been a role model of everyone in the workplace, placing the interests of his constituents as he fulfills his duties as the Local Chief Executive.

Faith in Almighty. As he travels the journey of Public Service, he faithfully acknowledges that without divine guidance, everything is impossible. It has been his usual line that when something gets out of hand just pray.

The fruits of these leadership foundations have been imminent in his two and a half years in office. Major landmark infrastructure developments have been implemented.

Local Revenues had improved significantly, enabling the Local Government to fund priority programs and projects.

Healthcare services has been much being served, reaching those who have difficulty in access before. Educational assistance has been extended to numerous students. Peace and order situation being sustained and Local Government role in economic prosperity has strengthened. All of these are tangible results of strong leadership working for a sustainable development.

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Most Outstanding Mayor Award 2016

Discover Candelaria The town of Candelaria is the second northernmost town of the Province of Zambales and is approximately 42 kilometers from the capital town of Iba. It is nestled at the foot of the majestic Zambales Range in the east and lies along the coastline of the South China Sea in the west. With a total land area of 43,760 hectares, it is the third largest town in terms of land area in the entire province of Zambales.

The total land area of Candelaria is 33,359.1896 hectares, ¾ of which are rolling hills, rugged and mountainous. Along both sides of the National Highway are extensive flat lands suitable for agricultural, residential, commercial and industrial use.

It is politically subdivided into 16 barangays, 7 of which are located along the National Highway and the rest are either along the shoreline or nestled at the foot of the Zambales Mountain Range, all linked via extensive barangays road network.

Candelaria is about four (4) hours’ drive from Manila traversing through well-paved road and beautiful scenery.

While in town, visitors will be amazed at the number of tricycle’s terminals located strategically in almost every corner, with the friendly tricycle driver willing to take them to anywhere in Candelaria. Tricycles here are color-coded, each color represents an organized TODA (Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association) plying a specific area or zone. In Brgy.

Uacon, where most resorts are located, guests may opt to ride on “tri-sikad” or non-motorized tricycles which is much cheaper and environmentally friendly.

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Along the shores of Candelaria, one can find a number of motorized bancas that will take them to Potipot Island; bring them to Balas-taaw and Balas Igid (islets that sprung out of the waters during low tide) tour them around the majestic Uacon Lake; or drop them to other coastal barangays. Boat operations are organized and common fares are adopted.

Those who are more adventurous may choose to avail of services of a “kuliglig” or motorized tractor to explore the forested areas of the Zambales Mountain Range. Others may even go for their first Carabao ride, which may require more courage and a lot of nerves.

Candelaria remains as one of the most peaceful towns of Zambales. The dedicated personnel of the Candelaria PNP have adopted measure to ensure that crime rate is negligible. Petty crime is down to almost zero brought about by the harmonious relationship between the police and the citizenry. Barangay Tanods are trained by the PNP on crime prevention and emergency response as their multiplying force in the barangay.

Major Tourism Attractions Endowed with nature’s beauty, Candelaria is home to 112 hectare Uacon Lake, the six-time winner of the Cleanest Inland Body of Water for the whole of Region III. Surrounded by lush mangrove forest, the lake teems with talakitok, groupers, milkfish, shrimps and crabs. At night, the twinkling lights of fishing boats illuminates the calm of waters of the lake as fishing enthusiasts try their luck to catch some of the different species of marine life that call Uacon lake as their home.

Most Outstanding Mayor Award 2016 A long strip of white-sand shoreline covers the whole of the western portion of the town facing the West Philippine Sea, luring thousands of tourists during summer. Modern beach resorts offer the visitors with amenities and services at par with those from renowned resorts of Boracay and Batangas.

In the middle of the vast municipal waters is the Potipot Island, a.k.a. Boracay of the North, famous for its white fine sand, rich corrals and pristine environment.

During low tides, sprouting out of the waters are the two islets, the Balas Taaw and Balas Igid, now becoming favourite areas for snorkeling. The Zambales Mountain range in the east boasts of thriving forest and mysterious caves. It is criss-crossed by fresh water lakes and streams and is rich in minerals.

Laruk-Laruk Festival: Candelaria’s unique way of showing gratitude.

The month of October is a remarkable time in Candelaria.

This is the month when “Laruk-Laruk” or “Pinipig” Festival is celebrated anchored in thanksgiving to almighty God for bountiful harvest of Palay in the entire Municipality. This festivity also highlights the unique and old tradition of making “Pinipig” or Rice Crisp. The festivity is also the opportunity to showcase Candelaria’s Best – the treasures that live in the heart of its people, profoundly express through the warmest hospitality a visitor can ever experience.

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Most Outstanding Mayor Award 2016

Hon. Maria Belen “Maribel� A. Eusebio Mayor, City Government of Pasig NCR 34

Most Outstanding Mayor Award 2016

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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.

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. ”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.

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.

She attended one of the best private and public schools in the country as she went to the De La Salle-Santiago 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.

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.

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

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Most Outstanding Mayor Award 2016

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 hands-on mom, accompanying the little boy from school to his extra-curricular activities, making time to attend parent-teacher conferences and doing his assignments with him.

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.

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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 PasigueĂąos 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 PasigueĂąos will be considered in her own mission as the Mayor of Pasig City.

Most Outstanding Mayor Award 2016

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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 for category E-population over 400,000; another gold for

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.

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 geared towards people-centered approach.

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 being known to be of service to every Pasigueño, working for their well being and helping them become better human beings of this world.

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Most Outstanding Mayor Award 2016

Hon. Chevylle V. Fari単as Mayor, City of Laoag Province of Ilocos Norte 38

Most Outstanding Mayor Award 2016

M

argaret Thatcher believes that in the world of politics, “ask a man if you want anything said.” On the other hand, “if you want anything done, ask a woman.”

Granting that this is true, Laoag City, therefore is so blessed to be empowered by men and women who make sure that every endeavour is not only articulated well but more importantly, properly implemented to achieve best results.

Laoag City is distinguished for its acumen in promoting the general welfare of its constituents. It caters to the needs of the community through investment promotions innovative approaches, environment-friendly initiatives, disaster resiliency measures, self-employment assistance and livelihood programs, to name some.

At the front row are commendable leaders who are essentially involved in the implementation and completion of the city’s projects and undertakings. The exceptional leadership of the city mayor, Hon. Chevylle V. Fariñas has been distinguished in many occasions. Aligned with the philosophy that leadership must be of, by and for the people, the cascading of this view to other officials has been effortless. It is probably the city officials’ ability to win the attention, respect and trust of the Laoagueños that makes government service truly exceptional.

Laoag City is proud to revel on the many accomplishments of its government and its people, who painstakingly triumphed with labor and love. It has realized numerous awards for being an innovative, peaceful, and clean community. Laoag City

is recognized from local to international as a top performing local government unit in the realm of governance, education, business, trade and investment, tourism, environment friendly initiatives, disaster resiliency measures, innovative approaches and promotion of quality life of its people.

What better award can best manifest the excellence of a local government unit (LGU) than a recognition from the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) which is the agency in charge to oversee LGUs in the country. In 2015, the DILG gave its nod of approval to Laoag City as the best LGU particularly in six aspects: financial housekeeping, disaster preparedness, social protection, peace and order, environmental management and business-friendliness and competitiveness thereby conferred the city the Seal of Local Governance award.

Considering the coverage of the Seal of Local Governance award, it can be concluded that the award validated the holistic performance of the city in terms of good governance, outstanding operational accomplishments, promotion of the general welfare and social being of the people (i.e., strengthening peace and order and public safety, skills training programs, health for all, support to education and many more.)

Aside from the Seal of Local Governance Award, the city received an array of honours and awards to include the championship in the 2014 Search for LGU Convergence by the Department of Social Welfare and Development; Regional Champions in the Search for the Cleanest, Safest and Greenest

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Most Outstanding Mayor Award 2016

City for 2014 awarded by the Regional Development Council, and Hall of Fame Award – National Corn Quality Award by the Department of Agriculture. Ranked by the National Competitiveness Council, Philippines, Laoag City landed 1st in the Region and Top 10 in the entire Philippines in Government Efficiency Ranking for two consecutive years in 2014 and 2015.

Laoag is a potent city meant for trade and commerce. It is a promising business hub where investors and stockholders seeking prosperity and security could lay down their capital assets, Such claim was proven for being the 2013 Most BusinessFriendly Local Government Unit-City Category, Level 3 awarded by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry during its 38th and 39th Philippine Business Conference and Expo at Manila Hotel.

Mayor Chevylle’s outstanding management of the city affairs come not as a surprise to the Laoagueño’s as her vast experience as a former barangay chairman, ex officio member of the Laoag City Council and as Chairperson of the Laoag City Tourism and Social Concerns Council provided the people their unconditional and overwhelming trust and confidence to steer Laoag to higher notches in local governance. Succeeding an exemplary leadership from her transformational and visionary husband and now the city Vice Mayor, Hon. Michael V.Fariñas, she sustained the momentum of growth and development achieved by the former mayor.

CVF as she is commonly called, keeps a clear head in challenging situations but has an exultant heart when dealing with others. She champions in the hearts of the people. Prior to her stint as the City Mayor, she was elected as the President of the Association of Barangay Chairmen of Laoag City. With a dynamic personality, she hurdled the Chairmanship of the

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Council of Women which pushes for Gender Equality. She is also the Deputy Governor of the Federation of Council of Women in the Philippines.

Hon. Chevylle Farinas’ dynamism, exemplary work ethics, innovative mind, and compassion as leader were not left unnoticed. Laoag City was recognized by the European Society for Quality Research (ESQR) for the 2014 Awards for Best Practices in which Hon. Chevylle Fariñas was accorded the Best Quality Leadership Award. Golden Globe Annual Awards also granted her the Filipino Achiever Award in 2015. Other major awards and citations are described as follows: • 2014 European Awards for Best Practices awarded by the European Society for Quality Research (ESQR) in Brussels, Belgium in recognition to the outstanding commitment support and results in Quality Management Strategies.

• 2014 National Corn Quality Award by the Department of Agriculture • Champion. Regional Search for the Cleanest, Safest and Greenest City awarded by the Regional Development Council for CY2013.

• Ranked No.1 in Region 1 and Top 10 in the Philippines for Government Efficiency. 2014 Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness Index (CMCI) by the National Competitiveness Council. The Cities and Municiplaities Competitiveness Index is an anunual ranking of Philippine Cities and Municipalities developed by the National Competitiveness Council through the Regional Competitiveness Committees (RCCs) with the assistance of the US Agency for International Development. The National Competitiveness Council tracks the rankings of the Philippines in major international competitiveness reports.

• 2014 Seal of Child-Friendly Local Governance by the National Council for the Welfare of Children.

Most Outstanding Mayor Award 2016 • Merit of Alliance Award to Laoag City General Hospital for the unwavering support to the National Tuberculosis Control Program by the Department of Health, Regional Office I. • Regional Outstanding CAFC, Regional Outstanding Fishefolk, (Fish Culture) and Regional Outstanding Small Animal Raiser during the Regional Gawad Saka Search for Outstanding Agricultural Achievers by the Department of Agriculture, Regional Field Unit I. • Regional Award 2014 Gawad Paragal as Best Performing Local Development Units – Cooperative Office, Laoag City LGU. • Regional Award 2014 Gawad Parangal as Best Performing Cooperative Development Council – Laoag City Cooperative Development Council.

• 2014 Best Performing PESO in Region I (City Category) • Champion, Most Business Friendly LGU Award, Level 3 Category awarded by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

• Champion, 2013 Search for Local CHAMP (Catalytic Action for HIV and AIDS Mitigation Programme) for the program – Healthy Laoag: A Health Program for the City of Laoag awarded by the Local Government Academy.

• Champion, 2013 Search for Best Performing City in Region 1 based on Local Governance Performance Management System (LGPMS).

The Laoag City government ensures the people’s access of important services through the Walang Iwanan Agserbi 24/7.

This is a flagship program of the city mayor that promotes a sense of continued inclusivity, security, optimism, and fervor among the people. Agserbi 24/7 offers social services that bring immediate, wide-ranging and comprehensive delivery of various services that address the felt needs of the barangay folks. These services include infrastructure development, health services, farming and agricultural development, skills and livelihood training, implementation of pro-poor programs,

scholarships and support for education, youth empowerment and advocacies, strengthening of peace and order and public safety, implementation of environmental protection projects, disaster mitigation and preparedness activities, attention to special programs for various sectors including promotion of senior citizens’ rights and privileges, women empowerment, programs for child friendly schools and communities, OFW concerns, employment opportunity promotion, special services for differently-abled people, among others.

Laoag as a model city has been visited by at least 78 local government units and entities for benchmarking since Mayor Chevylle Fariñas assumed office. It has been claimed by visitors and tourists alike that the city is clean and always at its best.

This is an unsullied manifestation of the political will and support of the government to sustain the cleanliness of the city as embodied in the Oplan Dalus Code of Laoag.

During the three-year stellar administration of Mayor Chevylle V. Farinas, she has rendered the people of Laoag to be proud of their uniqueness as a distinct community of individuals caring for each other, respectful of the rights of others though a government that cares promoting equal opportunity for all, a government which is sensitive to the needs of its people and responds to these with utmost consideration for the underprivileged.

With all these, the Laoagueños have every reason to smile.

A smile beaming with contentment and joy as the promise of a brighter future for themselves, for their families and for the city as a whole is neither a wishful thinking nor a figment of their imagination. Rather it is a very much felt and a well experienced phenomenon brought about by an inspired confidence from the city’s first ever lady mayor, Hon. Chevyle V. Fariñas, who so far has exceeded every citizen’s expectations in advancing the interests of the people and the city.

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Most Outstanding Mayor Award 2016

Hon. Gerald J. Galvez Mayor, Municipality of San Ildefonso Province of Bulacan 42

Most Outstanding Mayor Award 2016

“Constant ProGress and Development throuGh Good Governance”

Serving with the guidance of Almighty God to Notably

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Instill Life with Dignity, and Embracing Families Of the Now Self-motivated and Optimistic people of San Ildefonso

ayor Gerald J. Galvez, who is fondly called Mayor Gerald, has been named again as one of the Most Outstanding Mayors in the Philippines. As a first termer Local Chief Executive of the Municipality of San Ildefonso, Bulacan, Mayor Gerald has once again proven his worth as a truly dignified public servant. Being awarded for two consecutive years is not only an additional feather to Mayor Gerald’s cap but also an inspiration for him to do more for the benefit of the people and his own family, and for the glory of God.

at MalusoG Sila ni Baby. Thus, the Buntis Congress was born wherein pregnant women per barangay were clustered and attended the conference scheduled last quarter of 2015.

Expectant mothers who attended the seminar were given Buntis Kit containing alcohol, cotton, povidine-iodine, baby towel, and baby blanket. Furthermore, Mayor Gerald spearheaded the Voluntary Blood Donation program with a theme “DuGong Alay HandoG ay Buhay” which is a monthly blood-letting event wherein an average of forty (40) bags is being collected.

Nurtured with love and raised by his parents (the late Honorato Valmadrid Galvez, who was a Mayor of San Ildefonso from 1988 to1998 and the deceased Estrella Jimenez Galvez) to have high respect to the elders, Mayor Gerald came up with a project which he coined AlaGang PanGkalusugan Para Sa Mga Senior Citizen-“Bitamina at Sustansyang Sapat, Malusog Na Pangangatawan Ang Katapat” wherein he had distributed multi-vitamins to three thousand six hundred (3,600) senior citizens from thirty six (36) barangays.

A principled man who always believes in the quotation “Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day, teach a man to fish and he will eat for a lifetime”, Mayor Gerald’s advocacy is to educate the youth of San Ildefonso so that they will become self-reliant.

He carries on with his projects such as Honorato V. Galvez Memorial Scholarship Program and Free School Service. From seven hundred forty eight (748) students who were granted scholarship for the Academic Year 2014-2015, the number was raised to one thousand six hundred twenty nine (1,629) for the Academic year 2015-2016. The number of scholars was an impressive increase of one hundred seventeen and 78/100 percent (117.78%). A total of four million three hundred two thousand five hundred pesos (P4,302,500.00) was well distributed among the said scholars. Moreover, the Free School Service Program is benefiting ninety six (96) students from Barangay Casalat and Akle who are enrolled in Akle High School; one hundred

Being a husband to Julie Ann Tolentino Galvez to whom he has four (4) lovely children namely Gerard Julian (8), Gene Gabriel (6), Gael Estelito (4), and Gillian Estrell (1), Mayor Gerald knows exactly the hardships of a pregnant woman where he had witnessed to his wife. In this note, he designed a Maternal Care Project with the theme Kung Handa Si Mommy, LiGtas

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Most Outstanding Mayor Award 2016

thirty one (131) students from Bulusukan, Bubulong Malaki and Bubulong Munti who are enrolled in Sta. Catalina Bata High School (SCBHS), Bulacan Agricultural State College (BASC) and San Ildefonso National High School (SINHS); and thirty two (32) students from Alagao going to BASC and SINHS. A total of two hundred fifty nine (259) students do not skip school anymore for not having money as they are given free transportation. With his “Libreng Gamit, Talino anG Kapalit Project”, Mayor Gerald, has distributed bags with school supplies to three thousand eight hundred (3,800) pupils who are enrolled in thirty eight (38) Public Elementary schools in San Ildefonso. A total of one thousand eight hundred twenty (1,820) pupils from forty one (41) Day Care Centers were given bags with school supplies, books, umbrellas, and raincoats. Mayor Gerald indeed believes that education is the most powerful weapon to eradicate poverty.

Youth empowerment is also an advocacy of Mayor Gerald.

He launched the San Ildefonso New Generation (SI New Gen), a youth organization which aims to develop the camaraderie, leadership and potentials of the young generation of San Ildefonso. Since the group was established, different activities were conducted like Team Building and ColoRun, a fun run that intends to promote good health among the participants.

Moreover, various sports activities such as Inter-barangay Basketball & Volleyball Tournaments, Baseball & Softball Matches, Chess and Taekwondo were undertaken.

Peaceful San Ildefonso is what Mayor Gerald is aspiring for. To achieve this vision, he distributed again another set of Barangay Patrol Vehicles to different barangays. Among the recipients of the said vehicles were Barangay Anyatam, Garlang, Maasim, Makapilapil, Mataas Na Parang, Matimbubong, Nabaong Garlang, Palapala, Poblacion, Sapang Dayap, Sapang Putik, and Pulong Tamo.

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The Municipality of San Ildefonso through the leadership of Mayor Gerald had turned over ten (10) units of refurbished M16 rifles to the San Ildefonso local police. This was one of the many undertakings that Mayor Gerald in coordination with the police officers had done which lead to attaining the Peace and Order Award from the Department of Local and Interior Government (DILG). In addition, the DILG had also recognized the compliance of the Local Government Unit (LGU) of San Ildefonso, Bulacan with the rules symbolizing its commitment towards local governance and passed another Local Governance Assessment Area which is Good Financial Housekeeping.

Mayor Gerald has his concern for the life of his co-servants.

With this, he had his project entitled, “Ang Lingkod Barangay na NakasiGuro, Kapanatagan ng Pamilya Garantisado” which provides Free Life Insurance Program to Barangay officials and tanods for the 36 barangays in San Ildefonso, Bulacan with a total of one thousand two hundred thirteen (1,213) beneficiaries, with a total premium amount of two hundred thirty seven thousand pesos (P237,000.00).

Farming is one of the main sources of income of the people of San Ildefonso. However, a lot of farmers do not even have the capital to buy seeds and fertilizers. Being sensitive to the needs of the farmers, the conscientious young mayor subsidized fifty percent (50%) of the cost of palay seeds and distributed eight hundred (800) bags of organic fertilizers for free to farmer beneficiaries. Mayor Gerald also supports the farmers who are into organic farming.

As for Infrastructure Related Projects, many local roads were rehabilitated and concreted – the E. Viudez Street, Sapang Putol – Poblacion Road, Upig – Basuit Farm to Market Road, Salapungan – Upig Road, and local roads in Pasong Bangkal, Sta

Most Outstanding Mayor Award 2016

Catalina Matanda, Gabihan, Basuit, Upig, and Umpucan. Street lights along Cagayan Valley Road from Barangay Maasim to Barangay Garlang worth six million one hundred fifty thousand pesos (P6.15M) now illuminate nine (9) barangays. Portion of the Maasim River Wall was provided with slope protection worth one million one hundred thousand pesos (P1.9M). Additionally, the Honorato Memorial Gymnasium, making it as the first Procourt Seamless Rubberized Silicone Polyurethane gymnasium in Bulacan, was rehabilitated. Also, the construction of the San Ildefonso Municipal Extension Building, San Ildefonso Municipal Police Station and Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Annexes situated in Barangay Palapala is now on-going.

Mayor Gerald despite his busy undertakings inside and outside of his office for the benefit of San Ildefonso always finds time to do some recreational activities. He approved the ideas of putting up a “selfie spot� that gives way for the launching of an Umbrella Park located at Municipal Park in front of San Ildefonso Parish Church. It became an attraction to selfie enthusiast all over the municipality and from nearby towns who were amazed of the colorful umbrellas. This was considered the first umbrella park in Bulacan. Additionally, a much awaited event that happens every third quarter of the year gave opportunity to the youth of San Ildefonso to showcase their wit and talents. The Ginoo at

Binibining San Ildefonso beauty pageant provides way to hopeful male and female aspirants to develop and enhance their confidence and self-esteem as they undertaken different activities provided during the whole duration of the contest. Well-deserved contestants were crowned and represent San Ildefonso in the Provincial Pageant. Luckily during the Coronation of the Hari at Reyna ng Bulacan held last September 2015, two of the three candidates from San Ildefonso won two of the five major titles and automatically the official representatives of Bulacan in National Beauty Pageants.

As Mayor Gerald makes big steps forward through Good Governance, he ensures that his office, the individual performance, and the commitment targets are aligned with the performance goals and objectives of the Local Government Unit (LGU) which has implemented Strategic Performance Management System (SPMS), a tool to internalize the role of the employees as partners of management in meeting organizational performance goals. San Ildefonso is the first among the LGUs in Bulacan which has submitted the SPMS with ratings.

With the remarkable things that he has done to better the lives of the people of San Ildefonso, Mayor Gerald J. Galvez indeed is inscribing his legacy in the hearts of his constituents and in the entire country.

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Most Outstanding Mayor Award 2016

Hon. Oscar Malapitan Mayor, City of Caloocan NCR 46

Most Outstanding Mayor Award 2016

T

hrough Caloocan City Mayor Oscar Malapitan’s business-friendly policies, numerous infrastructure projects and vigilant peace and order initiatives, investors and businessmen have been encouraged to put up businesses in the Caloocan. This makes the city as among the most economically improved Local Government Units in the country, according to the National Competitiveness Council.

The Business Permits and Licensing Office (BPLO) reported July 2014-June 2015 a total collection of Php 964+ million, a 15% increase compared to the previous period. On Business Capitalization, the city registered a whoping 78% higher than July 2012-June 2013 registrations. On the other hand, 2,706 new business registrations have been approved by BPLO on July 2014-June 2015, 47% higher than the previous 12-month period. A sum of Php 91+ Billion were declared as gross sales by businesses in Caloocan, a 75% increase as compared to the previous year. As a result, a 47% increase in employment or 87,196 new jobs were registered in July 2014 - June 2015, as compared to the previous year-on-year bracket.

Mayor Malapitan’s projects on infrastructure, peace and order and business-friendly policies continue to entice more investors in putting up businesses in the city that help resolve the unemployment problem and improve the quality of life of the citizenry.

SOCIAL SERVICES Job Fairs. The city government had facilitated more than 65,000 new jobs for its constituents, through its 15 job fairs in 2015, including the awarding of micro-business starter packs and financial assistance to expand existing businesses.

Senior Citizens. In Caloocan, senior citizens enjoy new perks such as: free weekly movies, birthday grocery packs, financial assistance, medical assistance, free cataract operations, free canes, crutches and wheelchairs and P5,000 burial assistance.

People's Day. Three venues weekly for the needy, to avail of free medicines, financial, legal, burial and medical assistance, free grooming services, free pet vaccination, free repair services of appliances and gadgets. More than 1.2 million people were served.

New Firetrucks. Three brand new Foton firestrucks were recently donated to the Caloocan City's Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP). Also, 21 new police cars were turned over to the city's police.

CALOOCAN IN TOP 10 MOST COMPETITIVE CITIES Caloocan City is the most improved city, jumping from 69th position to number 9, in the list of the most competitive cities in the Philippines. In the recently released report of the National Competitiveness Council, Caloocan City moved 60 ranks higher from 69th place in 2013 to 9th place in 2014, and received an overall index score of 43.81 points, besting other highlyurbanized cities in the country. The said score was derived based on 30 indicators from 3 categories: economic dynamism, infrastructure, and government efficiency. Caloocan City Mayor Oscar Malapitan welcomed NCC’s report with an optimistic view that Caloocan will do better in the coming years. “This is one of the fruits of our continuous hard work since my administration started. Caloocan City placed at the top 10, considering that we were measured against other 146 highly urbanized cities in the country and I know that we can do better and aim for the top." Malapitan underscored the big jump Caloocan had made, from 69th position when he first assumed office in 2013, to 9th place in just over a year of his new administration. In infrastructure development, Caloocan bested the heavyweight cities with their own economic centers, garnering 4th place. In economic dynamism, Caloocan also overtook those cities with central business districts, clinching 5th place overall in the category. NCC’s list of the most competitive cities was ranked based on a data-driven exercise or collecting data from each city or municipality in the Philippines.

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Most Outstanding Mayor Award 2016

MEGA PROJECTS University of Caloocan City (UCC) North and South Campuses: The UCC South and North Campuses are 5-storey buildings comprising 45 classrooms and a covered multipurpose center, elevators, laboratories. UCC-North has an outdoor ground designed like an amphitheater for the students’ activities. UCC also offers a free tuition fee privilege for its students, including masters and doctorate degrees.

Social Development Center, North City Hall Compound: The 3-storey building houses the social services provided by the city. The new SDC houses the Office of Senior Citizens Affairs, Community Relations Office, Labor Industrial and Relations Office, Urban Poor Affairs Office, and Social Welfare Department.

New City Hall, 8th Avenue Cor 8th St. East Grace Park: The new city hall was tagged as “green building” for being environment - friendly. Equipped with facilities and new technologies to save water and electricity, the new heart of Caloocan will be a haven of greenery to make the ambience relaxing. The 8-storey city hall will also feature an underground parking and a commercial complex.

Buena Park, Caloocan South: Buena Park is home to big events and people who want to be close to nature and relax their mind. Among the facilities of the park are semi-olympic sized swimming pool, leisure huts, gazebo, showers, dressing rooms, covered basketball court, and air-conditioned clubhouse with bar and restaurant.

Amparo Nature Park, Caloocan North: A place for relaxation and recreational activities. It has a picnic grove, covered events center, mini-forest, jogging and walking path, and a swimming pool.

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Public Funeral Homes (Burulan): A 3-storey building with 6 chapels which is used to provide decent funeral services for the needy, for free. This is to address the problem of those who hold funerals on the streets.

Caloocan City North Medical Center, Camarin Caloocan: The new 50-bed CCNMC has a laboratory, pharmacy, emergency room, out-patient clinics, operation room, nursery, maternity section, charity wards and private rooms..

Ampitheater at Glorietta Park: The area was developed into a child-friendly park and event center. The amphi-theater seats more than 1,000 people and aims to be a venue for cultural events and shows.

Puericulture and Maternity Center: Located along A. Mabini St., this was renovated and serves as the annex of the Caloocan City Medical Center. Equipped with modern facilities, the building houses the Out-Patient Department, Dental Services Department, and the Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Center.

Caloocan Sports Complex, Bagumbong Caloocan: A dome-shaped building with more than 5,000 seating capacity.

It also features a badminton court, tennis court, and a semiolympic sized swimming pool. Residents can relax around the garden area of the complex or exercise at the jogging/ walking paths.

Caloocan Disaster and Risk Reduction Management Council (CDRRMC) Building, North City Hall Compound: This new building houses the emergency response units of the city, such as the fire station, police precinct and the city's disaster management office.

Most Outstanding Mayor Award 2016 CALOOCAN CITY GOVERNMENT'S AWARDS AND CITATIONS (2015) Seal of Good Local Governance: the topmost recognition given by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) to cities and municipalities that excel in six major categories of local governance: (1) Good Financial Housekeeping; (2) Disaster Preparedness; (3) Social Protection; (4) Business-Friendliness and Competitiveness; (5) Environmental Management; and (6) Peace and Order. Thus, the National Government has been financially supportive to the City’s projects and programs. Its transactions and initiatives have also been endorsed to private institutions, banks and global organizations.

Seal of Good Financial Housekeeping: This is another award from DILG which recognizes Local Government Units (LGUs) with excellent performance in internal financial housekeeping. All accounts are in order, no anomalous or suspicious findings from the Commission on Audit (COA), all financial records are posted in transparency boards, and outstanding performances in local legislation, development planning and resources generation, allocation and utilization.

Seal of Child-Friendly LGU: conferred by DILG to local government units with programs that promote child rights, development, protection and participation. Caloocan City’s various pro-children advocacies make it a rightful recipient of the accolade.

Local Legislative Award: a project of DILG to acknowledge the crucial role of the Sanguniang Panlungsod in practicing efficient legislative measures that are significant to the foundation of meaningful local administration and development. Caloocan garnered 2nd place in over-all ranking in Metro Manila.

Most Peaceful City in 2014 and 2015: this is based from the two previous years’ crime index reports collated by the National Capital Region-Regional Investigation and Detective Management Division, as computed in crime rate per 100,000 population. The continuous decline in the city's criminality is due to Mayor Malapitan’s support to and partnership with the Caloocan City Police. New police cars, additional police personnel, more CCTV cameras, new patrol bikes are among the city's initiatives to curb crimes.

Champion of Water and Environmental Sustainability: in line with the celebration of World Water Day, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) awarded this recognition to acknowledge the significant efforts of LGUs with sustainable and long-term solution to water and environmental concerns. Caloocan City was conferred with this award due to causes initiated by the local government to rehabilitate the Manatuti and Tullahan Rivers.

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Most Outstanding Mayor Award 2016

Hon. Pablo Campos Ortega Mayor, City of San Fernando Province of La Union 50

Most Outstanding Mayor Award 2016

His Journey to Public Service A prolific career spanning to almost 30 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 Councilor’s League for both La Union Chapter and Region 1 Chapter (19952001). Between the periods 1998-2004, the City Mayor served as Provincial Board Member of the Province of La Union.

San Fernando City: A Smart City Driven by Sustainable Growth As the elected City Mayor for 3 terms which will end in June 2016, 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 the city government to specifically target and support objectives in the areas of economic development, financial resiliency, environmental sustainability and social welfare, and development administration.

Hias Family, whom he draws Strength and Inspiration to Serve 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, the EMO Manager of the La Union Electric Company (LUECO) and a former City Councilor and their marriage is blessed with two children; and Hon. Francisco Paolo P. Ortega V, who finished Bachelor of Science in Marketing Management, from the San Beda College Manila, Masters in Public Management at Ateneo School of Government, and currently enrolled at Harvard Kennedy School of Government taking up Masters in Public Administration and is also currently a City Councilor on his second term.

More importantly, significant programs and objects 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 continues to work on improving its local economy to be able to move up to the next higher level after being a city for more than 17 years already. In 2012, “Bringing

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Most Outstanding Mayor Award 2016 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 barangay. 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. Primary and secondary community schools were also given computer units for the continuing effort to expose school children to information and communications technology.

Copies of the Citizen’s 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 Citizen’s 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 people’s expectations are checked against those services which are offered and gives them the means to articulate their feedback on those

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services that are satisfactory or not. The maiden issue contains 196 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 environment-friendly manner, the wastes generated in the city. In 2005, the controlled dumpsite was rehabilitated into an ESL through the DesignBuild-Operate (DBO) Scheme. To date, the city government, ensures to be responsive to environmental responsibility and protection. The City of San Fernando boasts to be an ISO certified LGU on Environmental Management System.

In the city, nine (9) MRFs were established serving a total of fifteen (15) individual or cluster of barangays. Barangay MRF’S were established using local and alternative materials that of heavy structures. Compartments for specific types of wastes were also fabricated in the facility to contain the segregated materials. Most of these MRF’s 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 consumption of the slaughterhouse is 11.68 cubic meters.

Most Outstanding Mayor Award 2016

As testaments to the relentless efforts of providing the best quality services to the people, various recognitions and awards were received: • National Award for Quality Management System certified to ISO 9001 Standards handed over by no less that the President, His Excellency Benigno Simeon Aquino III; • The first and only LGU in the country certified ISO Integrated Management Systems (ISO 9001:2008); Environment Management System (ISO 14001:2004) and Certified for Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems (ISO 18001:2007) by the AJA Registrar and International Certification Registrar (ICR); • Champion for Cleanest, Safest and Greenest LGU for CY2014; • Silver Trailblazer Award, Performance Governance System (PGS) “Institutionalized”- Public Revalida, May 4, 2015 by the Institute of Solidarity in Asia (ISA); • One of the 12 Champions for Health Governance for Local Government Units (LGUs), May 2015, Metro Manila Kaya Natin ‘To Movement and Jesse Robredo Awards; • Over-all Rank 9 out of 108 Component Cities of the Philippines, July 2015, National Competitiveness Council (NCC) of the Philippines; • Passed the ISO Surveillance Audit for the Certification of 20 Barangays for ISO EHSAS and OHSAS, August 2015 by the AJA Registrars, Ltd.; • Seal of Good Local Governance Awardee for Local Government Units (LGUs) 2015; • 3rd Place E-Gov Awards for LGUs Best in E-Gov Customer Empowerment Awards for Document Tracking System (DTS), 7th NICT National ICT Summit; • Most Business Friendly LGU City Category Level 1 and 3 (National), 2008 and 2015 respectively; • 2015 Palladium Balanced Scorecard Hall of Fame for Executing Strategy, November 2105, Boston Massachusetts, USA; • Most Outstanding Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council (CFARMC) (Regional) November 2015 by the Department of Agriculture; • 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;

• The only City in Region 1 to have been a National Finalist in the Gov LGU Awards for the implementation of the Individual Work Permit Information System given by the NCIP, DILG and Cyber City Teleservices; • 2012 Gawad Pamanang Lahi Regional 2nd Runner up given by the Department of the Interior and Local Government; • Pinnacle of Excellence Award and Making Difference Award from the National TB Program of the Department of Health; • Pink Orchid Awardee during the Red Orchid Awards for 100% No-Smoking Campaign; • Hall of Fame Awardee (City Category) Most Outstanding LGU Coastal Resource Management Implementer; • City Jail of the Year, 2014; City PNP of the Year, 2014; and Fire Station of the Year, 2014; • Most Promising e-Government Prize, Efficiency in Document Tracking System (WeGO Awards 2014) Chengdu, China.

Today, the City of San Fernando remains the economic and educational hub of Ilocandia – a Smart City driven by Sustainable Growth. It is here where people would like to study, work and build a family.

As he continues to serve the people of City of San Fernando for the remaining few months of his term as City Mayor, his enthusiasm to serve never fades and remains steadfast as he would like to leave a legacy of public service anchored to the principles of transparency, accountability and excellence which the residents of my beloved City of San Fernando deserve and will forever remember.He extends his heartfelt gratitude to all San Fernandoans for the overwhelming support and love you have given him. You have been his strength and inspiration through the years.

For the next administration, he only hopes for the continuity of what have been started and work for an even better City San Fernando. His journey to public service carries on as he seeks to serve, spreading his reach to more people.

“My heart is for the people of San Fernando, La Union, public service is where I belong. “ – Agay-ayat Kadakayo Amin, PABLO C. ORTEGA, City Mayor.

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Most Outstanding Mayor Award 2016

Hon. Sophia Grandeza Palacio, M.D. Mayor, Municipality of Calatagan Province of Batangas 54

Most Outstanding Mayor Award 2016

Serbisyong Galing sa Puso “All my life, I have been in the public service. The joy of accomplishing something for the benefit of the majority is incomparable; the feeling of triumph when you know you had the chance to help and to inspire others fueled me to continue serving!”-Mayor Sophia Grandeza Palacio, M.D. True to her words, Mayor Sophia G. Palacio, M.D., can be considered a born leader for she spent most of her life, directly or indirectly, in the field of public service. Time flies swiftly, she is now on her last year of her third term as Municipal Mayor. Surely, she will graduate with flying colors and the fact that she has contributed a lot for Calatagan will be everyone’s word of mouth.

2015 has been another remarkable year for Calatagan’s First Lady Mayor in terms of project accomplishments. In her Accomplishment Report, she narrated, “We made sure that the delivery of basic services and the priority projects and programs would address the pressing needs of the underprivileged and the most vulnerable in the society. The intervention we instituted were directed towards the realization of our shared vision, mission and goal of raising the quality of life of every Calatagueño. For the long term, we aimed for improvements in the human development index indicators of increasing income through agricultural, fishery development and livelihood programs, progress in tourism and commerce, better health of the people and greater access to education.”

Since her first term as Local Chief Executive, Mayor Palacio’s thrusts of leadership has focused on the basic fields which are expressed in the acronym HEARTS ( H-ealth, E-ducation and Environment, A-griculture, R-oads, T-ourism and S-ports and Security). With this, she is determined of making Calatagan a first class municipality.

On Health Along health development, the administration sustained programs on primary health care delivery particularly on communicable disease control, maternal and child health care, immunization, family planning and environmental sanitation.

Medical missions were conducted along with the program on cataract operation dubbed as “Liwanag ng Mata: Libreng Opera sa Katarata.”

The Bottom Up Budgeting Process has also focused on health development. Under Mayor Palacio’s administration, the Rural Health Center has continued to be a Sentrong Sigla Awardee. Laboratory equipment and supplies have been upgraded and maintained; medical staff and health volunteers are given capability enhancement trainings. In 2015, Mayor Palacio was named as Outstanding Local Chief Executive by the Provincial Sandugo Awards because of her commitment in the efforts to save lives through bloodletting programs.

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Most Outstanding Mayor Award 2016

On Education and Environment Believing that education is a prime concern among the Calatagueños, Mayor Palacio’s administration focused on the acquisition of lot for the construction of classroom buildings for the Calatagan Senior High School. Currently, the site is awaiting for the construction of buildings which is a counterpart funding from the national government; the same will benefit around eight hundred seventy (870) students who will finish the Junior High School Program in March 2016.

Other than this, the regular programs and projects for the different schools have been effectively implemented. Mayor Palacio sees to it that the classrooms are properly maintained; budgetary allocation for the construction of additional classrooms has been a priority; thus, all schools are competitive; both in facilities and teachers’/students’ performance.

Meanwhile on environment, Mayor Palacio is known for her “Eco-Bank and Idol Ko si Kapt Projects”. These projects are focused on proper waste segregation and recycling and were found to be effective and beneficial to the implementers, the schools and the barangays. Mayor Palacio likewise lobbied in the higher agencies for the implementation of the National Greening Project in the town; hence, the conduct of massive tree and mangrove planting.

On Agriculture Mayor Sophia has actively pursued programs and projects with the aim of increasing agricultural productivity and to climate-roof the agricultural sector. Various programs on fishery are actively implemented in order to promote additional income to fisherfolks. Substantial resources of the LGU was utilized for environmental management particularly solid waste management, space greening and environmental protection.

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It is noteworthy to mention that the Municipality of Calatagan ranks first in the National Fisherfolk Registration Program of the Bureau of Aquatic and Resources in Region IV-A; thus, incentives for the fisherfolks have been received.

Mayor Palacio has likewise distributed agricultural tools and machineries as well as fishing gears and equipment. Inspired by a famous line, she quoted,“ To ensure increase in income, give your constituents enough tools to fish!”

On Roads Road construction/concreting, repair and maintenance has always been part of Mayor Palacio’s top priorities.

This is to ensure that the comfort of public transportation can be enjoyed by the townspeople especially by the farmers who are transporting their agricultural products to markets.

It is during Mayor Palacio’s term that provincial roads have been concreted; more dirt roads in the barangays have been cemented.

On Tourism Another prime consideration for road development is to support the town’s tourism industry. Calatagan is continuously known for tourist attractions; thus, infrastructure developments leading to tourists spots have been given priority. The local government unit has likewise incorporated tourism development in its Bottom Up Budgeting Process; Local Tour Guiding and Snorkeling Guide Trainings have been introduced. In addition, livelihood programs have been introduced to women organizations such as souvenir making and other product development trainings.

Most Outstanding Mayor Award 2016 On Sports and Security Sports programs can never be disregarded. Considering its impact to youth development and attribution to the attainment of peaceful community, the conduct of sports league is supported by Mayor Palacio. Covered courts started to sprout like mushrooms in the town; Calatagan athletes are known not only in the province but nationwide as a whole.

The Peace and Order Council has always been an arm of Mayor Palacio in terms of the town’s security; the same is still being known as a quiet and peaceful community. Disaster management has likewise been a priority; with all the plans, tools, equipment and personnel ready in times of calamity.

Perhaps a notable accomplishment for 2015 in the field is the acquisition of a new Municipal Fire Truck and a new PNP Patrol Car; all these have become a part of the town’s assets thru the effort of Mayor Palacio.

What Lies Ahead Mayor Palacio has still so much in mind to implement for her last six months of office as Local Chief Executive of Calatagan. While the students have finished examinations and submitted projects and are practicing for their graduation on an easy mood, Mayor Palacio is rushing for more projects to be implemented and more activities to be undertaken.

And there might be no graduation for the born leader.

Once a leader, always a leader. In the filing of candicacy in October 2015, Mayor Palacio filed her candidacy as Board Member of the First District of Batangas. She hopes to continue to serve; and with all the qualifications, achievements and experiences, she will.

Other Notable Accomplishments 2015 is a bang for Calatagan because of the birth of the Calatagan Solar Farm Project. Being operated by Solar Philippines, Inc., the same project will surely boost the municipality’s income aside from the job opportunities that it can provide to the townspeople.

With all the initiatives and efforts of Mayor Sophia G. Palacio, MD, coupled with the cooperation accorded by the Sangguniang Bayan, the annual budget of Calatagan has tremendously increased from Php 52,683,000.00 in 2007 to Php 118,000,000.00 in 2015. It can be gleaned that the increase is more than double from the first year of Mayor Palacio’s term of office as Municipal Mayor.

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Most Outstanding Mayor Award 2016

Hon. Edgardo D. Pamintuan Mayor, City of Angeles Province of Pampanga 58

Most Outstanding Mayor Award 2016

T

“Passionate”

his 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, “AgyuTamu!” and his new aphorism, “Abe-abe, Saup-saup,” Mayor Ed has reentered the arena of local public service with a clear vision of what he wants to achieve and how he wants it done.

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 Angeleño 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) for 2010 during their 20th Awarding Ceremony in Washington DC, USA. Returning to the City Hall, Ed has opened its doors to Angeleños and has even made his home accessible at all times to those in need.

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, extending quality but affordable college education to the young people of Angeles. The college provides 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. It has now almost 2,000 students, with the first batch of 179 students graduating in April 2016. To these 179 students and their families, Mayor EdPam had transformed their lives and ensured them a brighter future ahead.

Another priority is Health. As part of his campaign promises, he established the Renal Care Unit of the Ospital ning Angeles. It is considered to be one of the biggest dialysis centers in the country, with more than 20 dialysis machines operating at 16 hours per day. More than 400 regular patients have so far received more than 35,000 treatments since it started operation in 2011, the RCU continues to provide affordable and life-saving treatments and services to indigent Angeleños suffering with renal care problems.

Soon, citizens of Angeles will be able to avail of low cost treatments for any cardiac-related health conditions. It will also become the Pacemaker Center of Central Luzon once the cardiac center unit starts operation.

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Most Outstanding Mayor Award 2016

Thousands of Angeleños have also benefitted from the free surgical services provided by the city government through its MEDIKALINGA Program. A total of 4,731 patients have been given free surgical operations, including cyst, warts, hernia, and myoma. Other medical procedures were extended to indigent Angeleños. As of today, almost 5,000 patients have been operated on to remove cataracts, free of charge.

Pamintuan has also bolstered the efforts of the city for economic growth, updating Tax Ordinance Number 63 – Series of 2013, which is an “Ordinance Approving the Schedule of Fair Market Values and Assessment Levels of Real Estate Properties Located in the City Angeles”.

The annual city budget has consistently increased from 800M since Pamintuan assumed office in 2010 to 1.65B approved for 2016. As far as revenue collection is concerned, Angeles City is no longer dependent on the Internal Revenue allotment from the national government. 70% of the city’s budget is not generated locally through enhanced and efficient revenue collection and income generating measures.

Just recently, Mayor Pamintuan led the groundbreaking ceremony for the first public cemetery in Angeles City. This project, located in a 1.6 ha lot purchased by the city government cost around 99M and will be equipped with a state of the art crematorium, columbarium, 2 chapels, bone niches, apartment type burial niches, jogging path and other amenities. Soon to be started is a state-of-the-art command center that will supplement the CCTV cameras which will be installed all over the city, especially in the business areas, school centers, main roads and other vital utilities, business, educational, government and tourism areas. The command center will be manned 24/7 and will definitely cut down the crime rate and increase solution rate of crimes already committed.

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With the construction of another hospital building adjacent to the Ospitalning Angeles almost completed and ready for operation; the people of Angeles will soon be provided with world-class medical services, especially those with cardiac problems. With the Renal Care Unit already serving more than 400 patients and almost 40,000 treatments; those who are suffering from heart-related conditions will now have a facility of their own. The cardiac care unit will be administered by Dr. Rey Franco, a top-notch cardiologist from the USA who volunteered to help Mayor Pamintuan and the city by providing his services and expertise to the hospital. He envisions Angeles City to become the pacemaker center of Central Luzon or even of the country in the next coming years.

Because of his achievements, the mayor was invited to various international conferences where he was asked to share Angeles City’s success story including: • (2013 and 2015) World Cities Summit Forum in Singapore and New York • (2015) Assisses of Decentralized Cooperation for Development in Brussels, Belgium • (2015) APEC City Mayors Forum in Cebu City • (2015) Talk on Public Spaces in Manila • (2014) South-South City Leaders Forum in Mandaluyong City Mayor Pamintuan also looks to spur massive economic growth in the city this 2015, as he looks forward to the utilization of a Geographic Information System, the successful implementation of an updated Schedule of Market Values for real property tax, more efficient government spending and less dependency on the national government’s Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) for LGUs. In partnership with the business community, Mayor Pamintuan initiated the installation of Free Wi-fi in major and highly populated areas around the city, including the entertainment district, schools, heritage area, city hall compound.

Most Outstanding Mayor Award 2016

In recognition of the many accomplishments of the City under the administration of Mayor Ed Pamintuan, various national government agencies, including the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Tourism (DOT), and other award giving institutions handed out the following awards: ● (2015) Grand Prize Winner- Heritage Conservation Category, Department of Tourism Pearl Award ● (2015) Rafael M. Salas for Population and Development Award ● (2015) Top 15 Most Competitive City in the Philippines ● (2015) Seal of Good Financial Housekeeping ● (2014) Seal of Child-friendly Local Governance ● (2014) Finalist, Liveable Cities Design Challenge ● (2014) 3rd Best in Government Efficiency-National Competitiveness Council ● (2014) National E-Readiness Award Angeles City was once known as the Sin Capital of the Philippines, being host to hundreds of honky-tonk bars catering to the R&R needs of American servicemen based at the former Clark Air Base. But under the inspiration of Mayor Ed, Angeles City is

now emerging as Central Luzon’s, if not the country’s, center for culture and the arts. Various national events pertaining to arts and culture have been staged in the city - National Commission for Culture and the Arts’ Yugyugan Para sa Kulturang Bayan, Salvador Bernal Designs the Stage Exhibit, Cultural Center of the Philippines’ Andrea O. Veneracion Chorale Festival Outreach Concert, Dayaw 2015 National Indigenous People’s Month, Sayaw Pinoy 2015 National Dance Congress and Competition.

Under his administration, Angeles City won the Grand Prize in the 2015 Department of Tourism-Association of Tourism Officer of the Philippines (DOT-ATOP) Pearl Awards for the project entitled “Revitalizing Heritage in Angeles City” which reflects the public and private partnership in the city aimed at promoting and conserving historical edifices.

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 Philippines in 2012 and 2014. 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.

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Most Outstanding Mayor Award 2016

Hon. Rodrigo L. Rafael Mayor, Municipality of Natividad Province of Pangasinan 62

Most Outstanding Mayor Award 2016

I

“ILIK AYATEK”

t is both an honor and a great responsibility to once again be named Most Outstanding Mayor by the Superbrands.

I am humbled to once again be nominated by this prestigious institution. At the same time grateful that my town Natividad has now found its spotlight. From a small sleeping town, it is now part of Pangasinan’s tourism destinations. This brings me and the whole Local Government of Natividad and its people, immense joy and pride. It serves as a beacon in our continuous quest for a more progressive Natividad.

Mayor Cocoy as Hon Rodrigo L. Rafael is fondly called by his constituents is a no-nonsense kind of leader. He is goaloriented and a go-getter. This is clearly manifested in how he has run this local government for two consecutive terms now. A two-time recipient of the Seal of Good Housekeeping, repeatedly recognized by the Provincial Government of Pangasinan as one of the Cleanest, Greenest and Safest Municipality in the province, and acknowledged as the steadfast worker in Natividad being recognized as one of Pangasinan’s tourist destination. Two-terms may be a short time for some but Mayor Cocoy has always believed that time is of the essence in delivering effective public service to the people of Natividad.

“I would like to inspire others to dream more, learn more and do more to be able to become more.

I want to leave a legacy that would be remembered long after my time as a public servant… a legacy that would inspire everyone in this town to work hard and to never give up in the face of challenges and obstacles, to persevere in attaining the goal of a consistently progressive Natividad.”

Mayor Cocoy Rafael

Commitment to Child Nutrition At the start of his term as Mayor in 2010, Natividad was rank 1 in Child Malnutrition prevalence rate – a very alarming and sad state. The Mayor set into action a team that would address this issue with the goal that Natividad not only improve the nutrition of our children but to become a consistent low rated municipality in Child Malnutrition prevalence.

A Municipal Nutrition Action Officer – Designate was named to monitor and progress of the program. The Rural Health Unit of Natividad mobilized Natividad’s Barangay Health Workers to ensure that the program reach grassroots level and to precisely identify the target children for this program. Check-ups were done to identify the need of the child. Proper medication and vitamins were provided to ensure the well-being of each child.

Then a feeding program was held for all barangays to ensure that we are able to teach the mothers on the proper nutrition for their children. That was the start, and it continued to be an advocacy in Mayor Cocoy’s administration, in 2013 he endorsed the continuity of this endeavor to Municipal Councilor Rose Ann G. Rafael as Head of the Committee on Health.

In 2015, we are proud to state that we are already rank thirtynine (39) out of forty-four (44) municipalities in Pangasinan for highest prevalence rate in child malnutrition.

A Steadfast Supporter of Local Tourism Since Mayor Cocoy established the Sky Plaza in Natividad there has been a continuous in flow of visitors who comes to see the sights, experience our waters and just enjoy a laid back time. In 2015, the sights of Natividad has already been included in North Bound Issue 15 which features tourism destinations at the northern part of the country. It features a picturesque sunset at the Ayat Ni Apo Jesus (a 40-foot statue) watching over the town of Natividad, Pangasinan.

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Most Outstanding Mayor Award 2016

Negokart Distribution And Inspection

His belief and trust in the potential of Natividad as a tourism destination paid off as Natividad was recognized in the 2015 Aktibo Ed Turismo Award as a New Destination Development (Sky Plaza).

Commitment to Public Order and Safety With the booming tourism in Natividad, Mayor Cocoy saw the need to improve peace and security especially as the town is now welcoming guests and visitors near and far. While Natividad has consistently been named as one of Pangasinan’s safest municipalities – During the later months of 2015 to further improve safety of the public especially around town, the Municipality of Natividad installed CCTV cameras in key areas for the close monitoring of the Natividad Police Station.

A Pledge to Bringing the Future to Natividad thru Infrastructure When Mayor Cocoy first came into office in 2010 there has been a great need in infrastructure in Natividad, especially farm-to-market roads to provide easier access for farmers to transport their produce to town. But Mayor Cocoy did not stop at roads but also included disaster preparedness by constructing the Natividad Multi-Purpose Hall Building and the Natividad Multi-Purpose Gym which are identified as possible relocation site should there be any natural calamity that would need evacuation of residents.

Construction of Multi-Purpose Hall

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Shield Metal & WeldingTESDA Training Sponsored by LGU Natividad

An Advocate of Health A town with 18 barangays and a population of over 20,000 having only one doctor is not only a challenging situation but also a concern for the LGU. In the ever increasing need to address health issues Mayor Cocoy decided upon the request of Municipal Councilor Rose Ann G. Rafael to request from the Department of Health another doctor from the Doctor-To-TheBarrios Program of the National Government. It took a while but DOH responded affirmatively to this request, it took time to make the necessary arrangements but finally the doctor arrived in October 2015. Now Natividad is divided into 2 health units manned by experienced and efficient doctors able to dispense of accessible health services to more residents.

Also in November, Natividad was awarded an ambulance from the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) in addition to the town’s one ambulance after a request from the Mayor to be able to more efficiently serve the people and make the ambulance available for more patients.

This is besides his and daughter Rose Ann’s annual medical mission in town to be able to service those who are in dire need of medical attention. Medical practitioners are invited to take part in these events and Natividad is blessed for it has a number of residents who are in the medical profession always willing to help and support these causes.

Another pioneer program of Mayor Cocoy is the institution of Persons With Disability (PWD) Focal Person and a federation that would look after their needs and promote their welfare. As a start Mayor Cocoy gave wheelchairs and crutches to those who needs one.

Construction of Multi-Purpose Gym

Most Outstanding Mayor Award 2016

Promoting Alternative Livelihood Programs and Offering Alternative Learning for All In 2011 the Municipal Mayor saw the opportunity to tie-up with TESDA and ALS to address the need of Out of School Youths (OSYs); to be able to give them an opportunity for better employment or create their own home-businesses. To-date Natividad has 237 graduates of various TESDA courses ranging from shielded metal arc welding, wellness massage therapy training, housekeeping, and computer hardware servicing. Many of the graduates have found employment and others have established their own freelance business. In fact in implementation Natividad was recognized as “1st Place Best ALS Implementation” in 2011, 2012, then “1st Place Best A&E Implementation with One District Category” in 2013 and again as “1st Place Best ALS Implementation” in 2014.

Besides TESDA, LGU Natividad has also been supporting various livelihood programs brought by the Department of Agriculture, some are the Farmer Livestock School on Goat Enterprise Management (FLS-GEM), Corn-Livestock Integrated Farming, Cassava OTOP Processing and Training, Training on Mushroom Culture Technology, and Training on Organic Aquaculture.

Of these livelihood programs Natividad launched its One-Town-One-Product program to sync tourism growth with a local enterprise that would promote alternative livelihood especially to the women of the town. With cassava as the main product, it is an end-to-end process from the production to the marketing of finished products. And since it is an end-to-end process it has opened many livelihood opportunities not only for women groups but the farmers as well. This will not only promote community participation and appreciation but will also be a venue for promotion of community work, tourism and sustainable farming.

Installation Of CCTV (Around Municipal Plaza, Municipal Compound and Public Market)

Negokart Distribution

Signing of Deed of Donation and Turn-Over of the New Ambulance

Medical Mission And Doctor To The Barrios Program

SWIP Diversion Dam at Brgy San Eugenio

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Most Outstanding Mayor Award 2016

Hon. Meynardo A. Sabili Mayor, City of Lipa Province of Batangas 66

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ayor Meynardo A. Sabili is the multi-awarded mayor of Lipa City. Born on June 2, 1957 at San Juan, Batangas, he finished his Bachelor of Arts Major in Political Science in UST and Bachelor of Laws in Ateneo de Manila University.

He also obtained some units of Masters of Law in UST. A couple of years prior to the 2010 elections, he, together with his family, established his domicile in Lipa City.

Before he entered into politics, Mayor Sabili was a top-notch businessman holding top positions in their family businesses and was a Consultant of Hazama Taizei Nippon Steel and Vice President of Hazama Corporation, both based in Japan.

His dream of serving the people came into reality when he was elected as a Senior Board Member in the Sangguniang Panlalawigan from 1995 to 2001 representing the 4th District of Batangas. In 2010, he made a successful comeback when he earned the love, trust and confidence of the Lipenos as manifested by his landslide victory over the then incumbent mayor. He received the people’s reaffirmation of their support when he was re-elected as City Mayor during the 2013 local elections.

Mayor Sabili wanted to bring Lipa City into greater heights. He has grandiose dreams for the city and he vowed to do it through his 7 point agenda – I HELP where I stands for Infrastructure / Information and Communication Technology, H for health, E for education / environment, L for livelihood and P for Peace and Order.

ADMINISTRATIVE GOVERNANCE Mayor Meynardo A. Sabili introduced a couple of innovations in local governance upon his assumption into office five years ago. From P843M annual budget in 2010, the city is now operating under a P1.32B budget, 56.5% higher than when he first set foot into the city hall. Since 2013, the city has been included in the so called “Billionaires’ Row”.

Known for being a Good Samaritan, he lobbied for the increase in the allocation for Social Services. From P275M in 2014, it was increased to P410M in 2015. This means more budget, more scholars, more medical and social services for more Lipenos.

The allocation for Economic Services was also increased from P223M in 2014 to P264M in 2015. It means more job opportunities and more livelihood assistance for his constituents.

There was also an increase in local revenues by 4% thus lessening the city’s IRA dependency. Compared to P828M actual collection in 2010, it went up to more than P1B in 2015.

The city’s good performance in internal housekeeping was awarded with a Seal of Good Housekeeping by the DILG. The recognition enabled the city to be included in the Bottom-Up Budgeting Program of the said office. The city’s fast and efficient delivery of frontline services was acknowledged by the Civil Service Commission through its Anti-Red Tape Act Survey.

Mayor Sabili was also conferred the Outstanding Mayor and Public Servant Award by the 2014 Dangal ng Bayan Awards and People’s Choice Award for his notable achievements in the field of public service. Just this August, the “Pinakamahusay na Punong Lungsod ng CALABARZON” was bestowed by the Golden Torch CCA, Inc. during the recently concluded 2015 Gawad Sulo ng Bayan together with the “Pinakamahusay na Lungsod ng CALABARZON” award.

His multiple awards, especially those coming from Superbrands Marketing, are manifestations of his noteworthy accomplishments as City Mayor and serve as his inspiration to keep on dreaming and in keeping his hopes alive.

To make sure that no barangays were left behind and to ensure the continuity of his programs even at the barangays, Mayor Sabili continued to work hand in hand with the barangay officials and all the organized groups to elevate the level of good governance in the city. In 2015, the City Government of Lipa recognized the performance of each and every barangay through the MAS Natatanging Barangay Awards, the local version of the Seal of Good Housekeeping Award.

MAYOR’S SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY Mayor Sabili is a very hard working mayor. He personally visited every barangay to see for himself their needs and to know what he can do to improve the delivery of direct services to the people. With him during his visits are the heads of LGU offices, the medical/ dental team and other LGU officials rendering direct services.

As a result of this “Barangayan”, more of the city’s budget in 2015 was allocated for social services to cater to the needs of his kababayans.

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Most Outstanding Mayor Award 2016 Improvement of the delivery system of educational services and development tops his priorities. Under his watch, the allocation for Special Education Fund increased by 15%. 87 new classrooms were built and more are to be constructed in preparation for the K to 12 program. He doubled the allocation for Sagip Eskwela Program from P10M in 2014 to P20M this year thus increasing to more than 6,000 the number of indigent elementary and secondary students who were given the chance to finish basic education. He expanded the College Scholarship Program by forging ties with 7 public and private tertiary schools in and around the city. The Kolehiyo ng Lungsod ng Lipa, a city owned and managed tertiary school, continues to provide free college education to more than 7,400 students enrolled in its 7 courses.

He has also started building the Social Welfare Village with the completion of the Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) Center. This will also have a center for women and a center for children in conflict with the law (CICL). Pre-schoolers were also given supplemental feeding, school supplies and instructional materials under the Day Care Program to prepare them for elementary education. Not only that, Mayor Sabili dreamt of seeing Lipeno youths excel not only in academics but in sports as well. He pushed for the construction of the Lipa Sports Academy and Convention Center.

Mayor Sabili etched another milestone upon the establishment of his flagship project. Ospital ng Lipa, a 71-bed capacity hospital, is now operating under a Level 1 accreditation granted by the Department of Health and Philhealth. As such, the hospital is now authorized to perform surgeries and offer top of the line services such as dialysis, CT scan, fluoroscopy, 2D-echo, ICU, ophthalmology services, rehabilitation and sports medicine and dental services.

The operation of the hospital is backed-up by the P25M allocation for MAS Blue Card (a family health card with P10,000 coverage) and a P20M allocation for the Philhealth contribution of LGU sponsored members. He also provided financial assistance to more than 800 Lipenos confined at private and public hospitals in 2014 under the MAS Healthcare Assistance Program.

Mayor Sabili continued to support programs and projects pertaining to proper nutrition and sanitation, feeding programs, assistance to pregnant women and other health-related activities as well.

Mayor Sabili visiting the patients at the Ospital ng Lipa

Mayor Sabili with University of Batangas students

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In his desire to provide employment opportunities and alternative sources of income, the Lipa City Center for Training and Development, a TESDA accredited training center, was established. It offers short term courses for those who do not have access to formal education. Graduates from this center were immediately hired locally and abroad. It was also awarded as an Outstanding Partner of TESDA for having the most number of passers in the National Certification.

He also provided livelihood trainings and interest free loan assistance to individuals and cooperatives operating in the city.

Under the Livelihood Assistance Program, more than 5,000 small scale entrepreneurs were provided with a P2,000 to P20,000 capital assistance while 10 cooperatives were currently enrolled under the Cooperative Loan Assistance Program. More individuals and organized groups were also given sustainable livelihood assistance through the P12.5M BUB Fund from the DILG. September 5, 2014 was indeed a significant day for the Kumikitang Sakahan (KUSA) farmers as they officially started their so called “Market Day� at the City Hall lobby. KUSA, a project initiated by the National Livelihood Development Corporation, Tuy Multi-purpose Cooperative and the City Government of Lipa through Mayor Meynardo A. Sabili, aims to give local framers a chance to increase their income through agro-enterprise development and market linkages with the support coming from microfinance institutions and the city government. To date, there are 3 agro-enterprise sites being maintained by the 98 member farmers. Fresh produce gathered from these sites are now being supplied to the city’s public market, City Hall and Fiesta Mall.

They were also able to enter into a contract with big institution buyers such as EPSON, a local establishment with more than 13,000 employees, Midas Hotel and Mountaineers Trading in Metro Manila.

The Lipa City Parking Building is almost complete and will be open to the public anytime soon. This project hopes to lessen traffic congestion in the public market and nearby areas. It has 260 parking slots for vehicles and a couple of stalls for rent to various local establishments.

Perspective of the Proposed 8-storey New City Hall Building

Mayor with the Lipenos

Most Outstanding Mayor Award 2016

At Batangas State University Recognition Day

Barako Festival

Barangay Visitation & Consultation

Distribution of bags to SAGIP Beneficiaries Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) Center at the Social Welfare Village This will also have a center for women and a center for children in conflict with the law (CICL)

Mayor with the Lipenos

MAS Natatanging Barangay Awards Night

Kumikitang Sakahan Market Day at City Hall lobby

Barangayan with medical and dental mission

Peace and Order Council & City DRRMC Meeting

With Sustainable Livelihood beneficiaries

With the Special Weapons Arm Tactic (SWAT)

MAYORS’ ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY It is every Juan’s responsibility to sustain the environment and save Mother Earth from the harmful effects of climate change and global warming. The city joined the entire nation in the observance of Earth Hour. Mayor Sabili’s administration has intensified its environmental programs by prohibiting the use of plastics and styrofor all over the city. All the 72 barangays were encouraged to have their own Material Recovery Facilities and were likewise required to organize their Barangay Solid Waste Management Committee to help in the effective management of solid wastes in their respective barangays.

coordination with the barangays through barangay intelligence networking and worked closely with the PDEA Regional Office. As a result, 419 grams of suspected shabu and 18 grams of marijuana were confiscated and 20 drug pushers were charged.

In support of the Urban Greening and the National Greening Program of the national government, more than 1.7M trees have been planted under the city’s 2 Million Trees Project. Constant monitoring is being conducted at the Mount Malarayat Forest Reserve to make sure that there are no illegal logging activities in the area. The city’s Arbor Day celebration as well as the Coastal Clean-up activities were also well attended. Bantay Ilog Project was continuously implemented by CENRO with the help of other environmental advocates.

To lower crime incidence, a 10-man Special Weapons Arm Tactic (SWAT) group was formed and trained to enhance their tactical skills in combatting potential threats and in handling special weapons and building crisis hostage scenario. The city also provided the PNP with the much needed logistical support necessary for their operations. In 2015, the city was able to post an 84.61% crime clearance efficiency rating, higher than that of the previous year with 80.87%.

OTHER PROJECTS IN PROGRESS Mayor Sabili is a tough and fearless man, yet he wanted to see his people live a peaceful and meaningful life. Together with the gallant men in uniform of the PNP-Lipa, he waged war against the perpetrators of crime in the city. He also encouraged the Lipenos to be vigilant and to always keep a watchful eye.

He launched the Isumbong Mo Kay Mayor Campaign where the residents can directly report to him any malicious activities in their areas, particularly those involving the use of illegal drugs.

Task Force Kontra Droga was established last February 2015 to lead the advocacy campaign against the proliferation of dangerous drugs in the city. This group was tasked to conduct drug awareness campaigns, random drug testing of personnel from various establishments, raids and buy bust operations at the barangays and other suspected drug establishments. They have established close

Bahay ni Kuya has been providing temporary shelter to victims of illegal drugs for almost 4 years now. As of August 2015, 18 residents were rehabilitated and are now back into their families while 82 are still undergoing rehabilitation. Inside the center, they are being subjected to skills and spiritual development and livelihood trainings.

FUTURE PLANS Mayor Sabili still has more plans for the City of Lipa. The construction of an 8-storey City Hall building and the renovation of the existing one, the rehabilitation of the Lipa City Public Market to cope up with the demands that will be brought about by the opening of the Lipa City Parking Building, the completion of the Lipa Sports Academy and Convention Center, the installation of traffic lights and 60 CCTV cameras, the provision of motorcycles to the traffic enforcers and additional vehicles and base radio system to the PNP and the installation of pump for the city’s fire hydrants are only among them.

Just like what Diana Ross once said, “You can’t just sit there and wait for people to give you that golden dream, you’ve got to get out there and make it happen”, Mayor Sabili is now running for his third and final term as Mayor of Lipa City. He hopes to be given a new mandate to make his remaining dreams and aspirations for the city a reality.

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Most Outstanding Mayor Award 2016

Hon. Alexis Simando San Luis, II Mayor, Government of Pili Province of Camarines Sur 70

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omination for a working mayor inspired him to strive more in fulfilling his social contract with his constituents by being responsive to the felt needs of his people and equate his performance with “excellence” and “nobility”. The mayor shall ensure the participation of his people and work all together in unity to succeed in making a difference for Pili.

It is with great pride for him to give his heartfelt thanks to the members of the Superbrand Marketing International (SMI) for nominating him in this “Most Outstanding Mayor Award”.

He wishes more success to the organizations future endeavours and to his fellow nominees, Congratulations and Mabuhay!

Mayor Alexis Simando San Luis II fondly called Nonoy by relatives and friends was born on June 26, 1978 to the former late Mayor Alexis D. San Luis and Dr. Leda Simando at Pili, Camarines Sur. He finished his elementary education at Naga Parochial School, Naga City. After completing his secondary education at the Ateneo de Naga University, he studied at UP Los Baños and took up Computer Science as scholar of DOST-SEI. Later he finished his BS Mathematics at the Ateneo de Naga University. He is recognized as a topnotcher for the Career Service Professional Examination. At young age, he successfully faced the challenges as Head/President of various organizations such as UPLB Bugkos, 1997; Pili Youth Mayor, 1999-2000; Math Enthusiasts Society of Ateneo de Naga University, 2001-2002; ADNU Sigwa Party, 20012002; and Pili Rotary Club, 2009-2010. His employment includes Mathematics Instructor at the Southeast Asian Institute of Computer Technology, 2005; Operations Manager of Camarines Sur Transcription Center. 2006; His outstanding performance made him Regional Admin and Relationship Officer of PNBNaga Branch and became the youngest Branch Manager both for PNB and BDO, all in Pili. In 2013 he ran for an elected position to become the youngest Mayor of Pili, Camarines Sur. His winning overwhelmingly symbolized a clamour for a New Hope, a New Era of Faith and a New Vision for Piliños.

PILI AS THE REGIONAL HUB FOR LOGISTICS AND AGRI-INDUSTRIAL BUSINESS IN THE REGION In CY 2012-2013 the Gross Regional Domestic Product of Bicol Region indicated a growth rate of 9.9 percent, one of the highest in the country. The entry of investments in Region V particularly in Pili has been recognized to have contributed in the rise of the Bicol Regional Domestic Product.

The presence of major agricultural trading centers for rice, corn, coconut shows that Pili’s economy has been clearly distinct by having its geographical influence extending not only to the province but in the entire Region V and neighbouring regions.

The presence of Peñafrancia Sugar Mill, the only in Bicol is not only important in Region V but has its national significance due to the sugar industry.

The operation of Honda Cars Camarines Sur and Toyota Camarines Sur Incorporated, the two biggest car dealers outside of Metro Manila together with Chevrolet, Foton, Nissan, Subaru and Isuzu made Pili the “automobile capital” in Region V. Mitsubishi Car Company will soon start its construction in the municipality.

Other major companies whose area of coverage extend to the entire region include the WL Foods Inc. which packages food and beverage products and the biggest South Luzon Feeds Inc. (SLFI). The municipality has also an oil mill, dressing plants, big warehousing facilities and rice mill. The entry of new subdivisions, the AMAIA, an Ayala Corporation and the CAMELLA attached to Villar Company is a welcome development for Pili.

The Bicol Biomass Energy Corporation with national significance will soon operate. A steam power plant designed to use rice husk as fuel to produce 3.5 mWe gross electric energy to augment the country’s electric power shortage and ecological solid waste management system.

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Most Outstanding Mayor Award 2016

The Provincial Government’s operation of the Camarines Sur Water Sports Complex together with the Cabanas (in Pili) have attracted more tourists both local and foreign.

Significant impact is brought not only to the province but to the region.

With the policy on Streamlining Business Permit System to minimize processing time and the enactment of the Municipality’s Local Investment and Incentive Code of 2015 would further inspire investor to “Choose Pili” for Pili is worth: PILIving PILInvesting PILInteresting ‘A PEOPLE-CENTERED GOVERNMENT’ THE FIRST IS ALWAYS ANG TAO In any development undertaking of the LGU of Pili, the improvement of the quality of life of the people is always its prime consideration. Programs/projects on education, health and infrastructure, environment, community/livelihood are designed based on the felt need and made to be the best for its constituents.

Municipality of Pili was hailed as the Most Business Friendly Municipality in Camarines Sur according to CamSur Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Consistently among the Top 5% of the Most Competitive Municipality in the Philippines.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND LIVELIHOOD PROJECTS To make farmers economically productive, three months after planting to harvesting, the LGU together with the DOLE dispersed 400 goats to 200 family beneficiaries and 82 piglets to another 42 beneficiaries. The “Pangkabuhayan Project” was launched to help poor families established a sari-sari store.

An amount of P6,500.00 as starting capital was provided to 101 beneficiaries. The “Pangkabuhayan Starter Kits Projects”, distributed different carpentry tools to heads of families possessing skills in carpentry. This projects are designed to augment family income.

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Known for its old industry, the kakanin (cassava cake, puto, kutsinta, kalamay, suman and bibingka) making has been declared as the primary One-Town-One Product (OTOP). Initially, kakanin processors in three barangays of San Jose, San Agustin and Curry were recipients of DTI-financial assistance in the form of equipment namely big baking oven, cassava grater and stainless working tables. The LGU’s counterpart consists of stainless mixing bowls, gas stoves, steamers and other related tools and equipment. The LGU ensures OTOP processors as enrolees under the DSWD SelfEmployment Assistance Kaunlaran (SEA-K) wherein an amount of P100,000.00 will be released to OTOP processors. These livelihood projects are designed around the idea that no one especially the poor and the vulnerable sector should be left behind. These are aimed to attain inclusive growth and sustained development.

EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM Even before sworn into office, it has been Mayor Nonoy’s dream that policies and programs addressing the concerns of the youth and children must be given priority for Pili to take pride in pursuing a truly meaningful development of the municipality and its people.

Scholarships are granted to deserving college students.

For public elementary and high school levels, the “No Collection Policy” was introduced wherein the LGU paid their miscellaneous fees. Review materials were provided to improve the children’s performance in the National Achievement Test.

Financial assistance are extended for food and transportation allowance for children to report to their classes.

For the out of school youth, scholarships are likewise granted to take up welding, electronics, call center skills and other courses at TESDA. Those who want to be accelerated in their educational level are assisted to take up the Alternative Learning System (ALS). To Pili’s children and youth educational opportunities are made available for all. The above activities are remarkable contributions in preventing and eliminating child labor through education. With this, Mayor Nonoy is a 2015 Awardee for 4th Gawad ACLAT (Anti-Child Labor Advocate Tayo).

Most Outstanding Mayor Award 2016 HEALTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM Roadmap on health and primary healthcare are on its best by ensuring health co-ownership of health concerns by the community enabling the LGU to modernize and equip RHU I, RHU II, and RHU III, Maternal and Child Care, TB Dots, Social Hygiene and Rehabilatation Clinic are now fully operational on track of meeting the millennium development goal on health ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY In recognition to its vulnerability to climate change, the LGU of Pili has crafted the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Plan. An office was created and staff were assigned including the designation of its head of office. Partnership with concerned government agencies such as the Philippine Army, Philippine National Police, Bureau of Fire Protection, Department of Social Welfare and Development and other government institutions as well as private organizations, NGOs, Civil Society Organization has been institutionalized to further strengthen its resiliency and to continue build adaptive measures to the prevailing global effects of climate change. Earthquake drills are regularly conducted in schools, offices and other institutions in preparation for the occurrence of high magnitude earthquakes.

Forums are conducted to various sectors for the proper information and education campaign. The last was conducted to farmers regarding adjustments in cropping calendar due to rainfall availability. The adoption of crop diversification was also introduced as a measure for climate change adaption. The forum aims to provide proper knowledge, right attitude and the correct approaches to climate change.

PEACE AND ORDER The maintenance of Peace and Order would make the municipality more attractive to tourists and investors. The functions of the Pili Transport and Traffic Enforcers Group (PTTEG) is now being institutionalized with the passage of Resolution No. 74 S. 2006 adopting the Traffic Ordinance of the municipality. Presently, Mayor Nonoy is now requesting for the creation of the permanent positions to man the said office.

On the other hand, the Pili Police force is equipped with vehicles and motorcycles for their mobility in responding to crime scenes, easy apprehension of criminals and other emergency activities where the presence of police officers are necessary. For Fire Prevention and Safety, Mayor Nonoy was able to request the latest State of the Art fire truck for Pili in addition to the existing three (3) fire trucks. This is one of the felt needs of Pili as it is a fast agri-industrializing and urbanizing community.

INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS Positioning Pili as the Regional Hub for Logistics and Agriindustrial Business in the Region V, this LGU is committed to the 3.5 billion pesos Runway Re-orientation Project for Pili Airport. It is designed for a dual approach landing and take-off with new international standard to meet the airport category rating for it to address growing tourism demand. Initially Php 650 million pesos was released for land acquisition and detailed engineering design.

Other priorities include the concreting of farm to market roads to link agricultural production areas to market centers and provide access for rural folks to basic social services and amenities found in urban areas. A road density of 1.77 km per square kilometre all passable during wet season is appropriate for an area zoned for business and industry.

The LGU ensures the provision of Level 1 (point source) water supply system to areas not covered by the Pili Water District to address the occurrence of water borne diseases.

Various National Government Offices and NGO's from a backlog of 65 classrooms down to half in less than (3) three years. Road widening and storm drainages including LED street lights are initiated to help hasten economic progress and safety.

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Most Outstanding Mayor Award 2016

Hon. Jose Stevenson M. Sangalang Mayor, Municipality of General Luna Province of Quezon 74

Most Outstanding Mayor Award 2016

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“GENERAL LUNA, MANGUNGUNA”

ransparent, accountable and participatory governance, poverty reduction and empowerment of the poor and vulnerable, rapid/inclusive and sustained economic growth, just and lasting peace and rule of law, integrity of the environment and climate change mitigation and adoption are the core corncern envisioned by the local Government of General Luna towards good and effective governance.

Recipient of Good Financial Housekeeping in 2015, Seal of Child friendly Local Governance in 2014, Awardee for the Seal of Good Financing Housekeeping, Disaster preparedness, Business Friendliness and Competitiveness, Peace and Order, Environmental Management in the year 2014 are among the achievements under the administration of Hon. Jose Stevenson M. Sangalang.

Graduated as Topnotcher from University of the Philippines – Public Health College of Medicine for Municipal Legislative Governance Program in 2015, a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration graduate in Enverga University, Hon. Jose Stevenson M. Sangalang is a mark of a great man and leader, who knows when to set aside the important things in order to accomplish the vital one. Through kindness, he created profundity, confidence and love among his constituents. Truly, that there is no “one” way to be a perfect leader, but there are a million ways to be a good one, which is a yardstick of quality optimism and confidence of Jose Stevenson.

Giving up a well-established job in San Francisco, California USA as an Auto Cad operator in Berg's Power Engineering Company and surrendering his green card is not an easy decision to Jose Stevenson, inspired with his unrelentless faith in God Almighty, emboldened with humble beginning of his grandfather. Hon. Gaudencio M. Sangalang and a remarkable

achievements of his mother Hon. Minerva M. Sangalang is more than a birthright, it is something he must prove worthy everyday.

The time he was elected as the Local Chief Executive, at the age of 31, became the youngest mayor in the Province of Quezon. An action man in his own right, hesitant to be timid and squeamish about actions, all life to him is an experience anyway.

Poverty Reduction in the Social Welfare Sector In the advent of the Millennium Development Goal which the National, Provincial and Local Government Unit entered into agreement program and project came one after the other amounting a billion of pesos to eradicate poverty.

Among our 2 – 4 yrs. old children, the continuous Day Care Worker Accreditation Program has been established to assist DCW equip with knowledge & skills together with construction of Day Care Centers to be equitably competitive with those in the 1st class income municipality. To enrich the program, the Supplementary Feeding Program augments the nutritional needs of the children to keep them healthy & active while attending Day Care Session.

Among our school children ages 5-18 year old classified as poor are assisted through the Pantawid Program numbering to 2,053 in their education while pregnant and lactating mothers with 0-5 children are given Health Care at the RHU of the LGU. In return, parents of these schooling children do community service.

All Pantawid beneficiaries are given PhilHealth Insurance.

Among our 350 Person with Disability, 1,680 Senior Citizens, 2,500 Women, 60 Solo Parent are given registration ID’s to avail of the privileges afforded by the Government. Our selected 153 Social Pensioners receive their Pay-out @ P 500.00/ month on a quarterly basis started since 2012.

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Most Outstanding Mayor Award 2016

Our perennial sickly and poor families who have passed away and no capability to pay hospital bills are extended of Financial Assistance numbering to 60 individuals a year at P 3,000.00 – P 10,000.00 as the case may be. Those screened families avail of free insurance of Burial Permit Fee. Our poor but deserving 30 college students get educational assistance to pay for their school needs at the start of the school year.

Our tie-up with NCST produced a hundredfold of self/ open employment after their graduation from the Trade School.

Our abandoned, neglected children numbering to 10 were given alternative Family Care Program Emergency Assistance Program such as Emergency Shelter Assistance was given to 360 families from 2014 – 2015 amounting to 3.6 million whose houses were totally damaged by typhoons. A short term employment was given to farmers, fishermen and laborers in the form of Cash for Work at P 272.00/day for 10 day work amounting to P 660,000.00. Those beneficiaries contributed to the general work of the present ongoing Evacuation Center Construction.

• Improvement of Municipal Birthing Homes the facility one of the first given by the Department of Health (DOH) the License to Operate (LTO) in the Province of Quezon and simultaneously received the accreditation from Philippine Health Insurance (Philhealth).

• Continuous updating of skills, knowledge and attitude of health workers.

• Community participation and support to the Municipal policy of 100% health facility based deliveries and zero cases of home deliveries performed by traditional birth attendants (Hilots) The leadership of the present administration followed the Community based approaches to Health care. This is the Municipal Legislative Governance Program (MLGP) which aimed to develop capabilities of communities and families to manage and sustain their health care using their local resources. Health planning and policy formulation starts at the Barangay level to Municipal level thus opposing the traditionally practiced of top to bottom planning which are usually causing health program failures.

Health Programs The Local Government Unit continue to fulfill its commitment in the delivery of basic health services to the people using the principle that health is a “basic human right and that health is both a means and an end of development”.

Various awards and recognitions was received by Local Government of General Luna in terms of Health Care this past two years, to name a few; • Best performing Local Government Unit (LGU) in the delivery of health services, given by the Provincial Government of Quezon on February 18, 2015 at Queen Margarette Hotel, Lucena City • Award on highest treatment success rate in the National Tuberculosis Control Program in CALABARZON region, given by the Region 4a Health Office on January 22, 2014 at SM Business Park, Pasay City • Award on high coverage of Measles Rubella Oral Polio Vaccine (MR OPV) Mass immunization campaign, given by the Regional Health Office 4a (CALABARZON) on February 27, 2015 at Crowne Plaza Hotel, Quezon City.

The Rural Health Unit of General Luna, Quezon achieved the zero maternal and infant mortality for the past five years. The following approaches may be attributed to this exemplary accomplishment:

All of these are being done and become possible by Mayor Benson Commitment of Ensuring appropriate health budget.

His priority is to maintain and keep the high standards of health service which the people truly deserve.

Our Livelihood Program, Individual and Group Enterprises generate employment to our poor household especially women from our KALIPI registered members. Not membered our men in terms of loan availment. The LGU has accumulated almost 2 million to finance varied income generating projects.

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Most Outstanding Mayor Award 2016 Environmental Governance Guided with fundamental laws and policies on environmental governance, this young and remarkable man has provided significant contribution to coastal marine ecosystem management which is also one of the core concerns of the local government engaging actively in coastal marine ecosystem protection and rehabilitation, protection to mangrove habitat and forest canopy that support wildlife, and establishment of marine protected area and coral reef sanctuary. Noteworthy, he is responding wholeheartedly to urban ecosystem management by providing solution to waste problem through waste management and procurement of site for sanitary landfill, in the end his effort has proven to be effective by achieving over-all success on solid waste management solution in gaining support through public participation and private sector initiatives and involvement.

Infrastructure Development Our infrastructure development program contributes to the rebuilding and development of physical public access by improving essential facilities like core local roads, farm to market roads, school building, improving access to water supply schemes, sanitation, basic hygiene provision, purification systems for clean water, slope protection structures which generate good employment opportunities to both skill & unskilled laborers for construction, our access to basic facilities involve fundamental structures that are required for the functioning of the community and society which in the end, can boost economic growth in general.

Agricultural Development Focused with the objective of increasing rural income and enhancing farm productivity, decentralization of public goods & services, interplay of subsistence rural agriculture and entrepreneurial & market oriented agriculture, Mayor Jose Stevenson M. Sangalang played a significant contribution to development of agricultural enterprises by accessing a product of “Tree of Life� (Coconut) being Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO) as a promising commodity to support the poorest sector of society. Philippine Rural Development Project of Department of Agricultural and the Local Government of General Luna will be implementing a 15.4km concrete access to agricultural development which will traverse seven proponent Barangays that will truly boost productivity and thereby create a highest benefits in terms of income, employment and over-all development of the project areas.

Disaster Risk Reduction and Response To mitigate the effects of climate change and to ensure the effective implementation of disaster risk reduction the effective implementation of disaster risk reduction, the Local Government has put in place intervention to reverse environmental degradation and to improve the resiliency of local communities, the four thematic area of disaster risk reduction such as prevention/ mitigation, preparedness, response, and rehabilitation/recovery, were among the appropriate mechanisms and processes that their peaceful community is going through. To minimize the damage if may cause, rebuilding and construction of slope protection structures along the periphery of the urban areas facing Tayabas bay and Hingoso river are about to put in place, in addition, a Central Evacuation Center is proposed subject to acquisition of site which is sound safe from storm surge, typhoon and out of earthquake area.

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Most Outstanding Mayor Award 2016

Hon. Edwin D. Santiago Mayor, City of San Fernando Province of Pampanga 78

Most Outstanding Mayor Award 2016

“The essence of sustainable development is in the harmonious integration of a sound and viable economy with responsible governance to ensure that development is felt by everyone.

Recognitions and achievements are not just honors but are gauges on how the government serves the people”.

This has always been the strategic leadership perspective of Mayor Edwin “EdSa” Santiago which reflects in his 12 point agenda that prioritizes the pervasive development in the area of employment, environment, health, education, peace and order, e-governance, food security, services for senior citizens, empowerment of the citizenry, ethical, competent and committed Fernandinos, economic development, and enrichment of tourism and culture.

This foregoing agenda is at the foundation of the EdSa administration. Boosting its implementation is the Mayor’s battle cry “Fernandino First!”

Thriving projects and programs are implemented to propagate the welfare of the Fernandinos and ensure that the city continues to achieve a long-term and progressive development through the administration public service.

Economic Development Having been elevated to the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s Hall of Fame as the Most BusinessFriendly LGU in the country, the city was again nominated to the same search during the EdSa administration, and bagged the award in two consecutive years (2014 and 2015), proving that the city government’s zeal does not fade but continue to shine brightly.

Mayor EdSa’s decision of having zero tax increase did not hamper the city’s progress, in fact through proper tax collection and planning and wiser spending of fiscal resources, the revenue target of one billion pesos was exceeded in 2015. As a result, the city continues to receive zero disallowance reports from the Commission on Audit.

As the Chairperson of the City’s Investment Incentives Board, he initiated the 100% incentives in business taxes to new and expanding investors in a move to further attract businesses causing the influx of new businesses and San Fernando’s thriving local economy that has decreased its dependence on the national government’s Internal Revenue Allotment.

There are now more than 8,000 registered businesses operating in San Fernando with a total investment of 66 billion pesos, and creating more than 30,000 job opportunities for Fernandinos.

These efforts have been acknowledged by many awardgiving bodies, the latest of which is from the National Competitiveness Council that recognized San Fernando as the second most competitive city on the component city category.

This award speaks of the effort of the city government to further the City of San Fernando’s highly-favorable business climate in the areas of economic dynamism, government efficiency and infrastructure.

But these are only some of the reasons why the City of San Fernando has risen from the ashes and climbed to the heights it now enjoys. Much of it has to do with the Local Government Unit and how Mayor EdSa runs the city affairs.

Responsible Governance The secret behind the success of the City Government is transparency and accountability. The hard work and enthusiasm of Mayor EdSa that resulted to successful projects and programs has placed the city on greater height with numerous awards and citations including the Department of Interior and Local Government Seal of Good Financial Housekeeping as well as the Seal of Good Governance for the city’s full compliance with the department’s Full Disclosure Policy particularly in terms of budget, revenues and procurement.

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Most Outstanding Mayor Award 2016

Like a sturdy ship being steered by a steadfast captain, the city continues to reach greater heights as it earned the 2015 best disaster risk reduction and management council in Central Luzon and the second place Best Government Emergency Response Management, a category that has always been dominated by provincial level local government units. This proves EdSa administration’s systematic approaches into the implementation of programs to ensure the safety and resiliency of communities in facing hazardous situations.

Observers also commended the innovativeness and foresight of the local chief executive that fueled the adoption of the Public Governance System or PGS, and the Basic Scorecard.

This made all LGU actions strategic, anchored, tracked, and attuned in the one direction set by the current administration.

With ISO Certification 9001-2008, the city is among the first LGUs that offers seven IT-enabled core processes, 27 installed application systems, 48 ISO-certified procedures, all these, among others, have become marks of the EdSa administration.

Good governance policies of Mayor EdSa also earned for the city some 574 million pesos from external sources. Moreover, with wise spending, the city has lowered its administrative expenses, enabling it to raise its allotment for basic services to 60% of the city’s budget pie.

Social Services Investing in the people has always been the cornerstone of EdSa administration’s inclusive growth agenda—which is why social services continue to receive the highest share of the city budget, why education programs has been revamped to foster globally competitive lifelong learners, and why the city government fervently pursuing the goal of accessible health care as well as increasing employment opportunities. Mayor EdSa’s mantra is clear: No Fernandino must be left behind on the path to progress.

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With Mayor EdSa’s 12-point agenda, long term solutions for social issues are implemented including programs that address the birth-to-retirement needs of the citizenry, making the City of San Fernando, Pampanga, a livable home for everyone Manpower development continues to be a priority program of the EdSa administration, with the city government ensuring that education and other forms of learning are geared towards the demands of the labor market. Skills and entrepreneurship are taught and improved through trainings, and workers undergo job matching and placement with local employers through the fully-functioning Public Employment Service Office that was nationally recognized as the best of all.

Poor and disadvantaged Fernandinos like the senior citizens, single parents, out of-school youth, the unemployed, and families under the 4Ps of the national government, receive assistance in various forms like capital assistance and livelihood trainings, as well as basic health services and enrolment under the universal Philhealth coverage, to improve their living conditions and uplift their lives.

Mayor EdSa strongly believes that by “investing fully in children today will ensure the well – being and productivity of future generations for decades to come.” Hence the city has always been very instrumental in the provision of welfare and development programs for the children particularly on education and health. Under the EdSa administration, the city aims to be a Center for Early Childhood Care and Development specially that San Fernando has been a pilot project implementer of the National Development Center or the NCDC. A self-confessed environmentalist, Mayor EdSa has been promoting the need to protect the environment. His directive to attract investments that generate a high level of employment with no negative effects on the environment, is gradually transforming the once lahar-ravaged San Fernando into a green city.

Most Outstanding Mayor Award 2016 The Smoke-Free City Law and Banning of Junk foods and Soft drinks to schools ordinance, and the establishment of Bicycle lanes are just among the few milestone legislations passed through his initiative.

Environmental protection and conservation is pursued with greening projects, regular waterways de-clogging, river dredging and the full implementation of the city’s “No Plastic” Ordinance.

Through his initiative, the city entered into a memorandum of agreement with International Justice Mission for the creation of a Survivors Support Network where victims of violence can get all the support and resources they need.

The Ecological Solid Waste Management Act or RA 9003 is carried out down to the barangay level, enabling the city to increase its waste diversion rate from 55% in 2013 to 73% this year, and turning San Fernando into a model on solid waste management practices.

The first organization for lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgenders (LGBT) was also launched in his desire to free the city in any form of discrimination. These moves met positive responses from civic organizations and even the Commission on Human Rights.

Inclusive and sustainable growth Inclusive and sustainable growth. These are the bywords of Mayor EdSa, the same principle that the city government use to focus on the improvement of the lives of all its citizens, particularly those belonging to the marginalized sectors of Fernandino society.

Sustainability is established through programs that ensure environmental management and protection, public order and safety, as well as food security.

On the other hand, the rapid growth and industrialization have not hampered the food production of the city, for food security was pegged at 1.8 billion pesos, with 1.4 billion pesos generated from livestock. The rest is income from sugarcane and rice production.

Change is felt by the people. Truly, this is now evident in the hearts of the citizens of the City of San Fernando, Pampanga.

With Mayor EdSa’s leadership, the vision of becoming a habitat of human excellence is now realized.

Think big, dream big and aim for excellence. Mayor Edwin ‘EdSa’ Santiago could not have said it better.

Peace and order is maintained, with minimal crimes and a reported zero insurgency problem. The city’s Peace and Order Council has been reconstituted to ensure the safety of the community. Task Force KKK (Kaayusan at Kalinisan para sa Kalikasan) was formed to comprehensively respond to the challenges posed by in-migration like traffic congestion, informal settling, and other social problems.

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Most Outstanding Mayor Award 2016

Atty. Carmelo "BLACK" O. Villacete Mayor, Municipality of Piat Province of Cagayan 82

Most Outstanding Mayor Award 2016

T

he Local Government Code of 1991 created favorable conditions for the advancement of Local Government Units. It has empowered local officials and the people to move forward for progress and development. However, we face the reality that good intentions are not enough. Governance relies on commitment, skills, methodologies, resources, networks and human resource incorporated in a do-able plan to effectively confront and respond to the numerous challenges of progress. Through the Vision and Mission we have interwoven our concomitant goals and objectives. It is inevitable that we govern as development managers... and govern, we shall.

Piat has figured prominently as a fast progressing municipality in the Province of Cagayan. The present administration has maximized all efforts in attaining productive and responsive governance, with its well-executed plans, programs, strategies, together with its persistence in striving to excel. It is always a pleasurable imperative to come up with new ideas, new plans and new schemes for a constantly invigorating Piat, bearing in mind that it is still the “General Welfare” that shines to be the brightest beacon and noblest goal of Governance.

Atty. Carmelo O. Villacete

A juggernaut of action, a statesman of wisdom, a man of bustling industry, a goal achiever and an environmentalist.

These are just few of the many attributes being looked up to about Mayor Black. The visionary that he is, Mayor Black never stops in envisioning things that will make Piat a better place to live in . He dreams of transforming Piat into a citadel, where every Piateño stands proud of being one, and where every visitor feels at home, comfortable and safe. As a public servant, he adheres to the highest principles and ideals of true public service.

Mayor Black is a lawyer by profession. He took up his law proper at San Beda College of Law and passed the BAR immediately after graduation in 1988. He worked with different prestigious government and private agencies where he held demanding and challenging positions. He ran for the position

of Municipal Mayor in the 2013 Local Elections and successfully won the bid. He is running unopposed for the same position in the 2016 Local Elections. Immediately after taking his oath of office on June 30, 2013, he conceived /formulated his 10 point plus 1 agenda, a comprehensive, all encompassing long term plan which included all aspects of local governance. This served as his guide in fulfilling his mandate to the people of Piat bearing in mind that, “PUBLIC OFFICE IS A PUBLIC TRUST.” AGENDUM 1- RESPONSIBLE FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT AND ACCOUNTABILITY Mayor “Black” believes that the government cannot survive without raising revenues which is the lifeblood of the government.

Fiscal administration generally improved and local revenue collections remarkably increased. This was achieved through maximized mobilization of various revenue programs like the intensification of business permitting and licensing, reliance to administrative and judicial remedies in the collection of taxes, fees and other charges. He also caused the conduct of strict field monitoring of tax bases and studied possible sources of revenues.

AGENGUM 2 - ADVANCEMENT OF AGRICULTURAL TECHNOLOGY FOR THE ATTAINMENT OF OPTIMUM PRODUCTION Mayor Black is a farmer himself and considers farming as his passion, hence, he truly understands the needs of the farmers. Farming, as the main source of livelihood of most Piatenios has been maximized. He pushed the intensification of the following programs / projects: • Enhancement of Crop Development • Subsidized Crop Insurance • Organic Fertilizer Production / Utilization • Regular Conduct of Pest and Disease Monitoring on Plants and Animals and Adopted Mitigation Measures • Regulation on the Reclassification of Agricultural Lands for Other Uses • Enhancement of Technology Transfer / Capability Building Program • Provision of Irrigation Support Facilities

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Most Outstanding Mayor Award 2016

• Construction / Improvement of Support Infrastructure Projects like Farm to Market Roads and Flood Control Facilities • Enhancement of High Value Commercial Crop Development / Organization of Rural Based Organizations • Enhancement of Farm Mechanization Programs • Enhancement of Livestock Development Programs • Fishery Development Programs • Maintenance of a Nursery AGENDUM 3 - RESPONSIVE HEALTH SERVICES Health promotion and disease control take precedence over all other concerns of Mayor Black. Its vision of quality health for all in the new millennium is presently taking place through the following programs: • Placement of Sufficient and Effective Manpower • Provision of Sufficient Medicines • Revitalization of the Local Health Board • Implementation of Maternal / Child Health Care • Enforcement of Environmental and Sanitation Programs • Strengthened Family Planning Advocacy Programs • Construction of Birthing Centers • Yearly Conduct of Dental / Medical Mission • Semestral Bloodletting AGENDUM 4 – ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION AND WASTE MANAGEMENT Mayor Black is an environmentalist and devotes special concern to environmental protection and waste management through the following activities: • Massive Tree Planting / Reforestation Projects • Construction of River / Flood Control Structures • Construction / De-clogging of Drainage Systems • Intensified Clean and Green Program • Ensured the Provision / Construction of Sanitary Toilets in every Household • Construction of a Sanitary Landfill • Regular Waste Collection AGENDUM 5- PROVISION OF SOCIAL SAFETY NETS Social welfare services get an immense focus in the heart and mind of Mayor Black. He has intensified the implementation

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of various social welfare programs. He is guided by the famous social justice principle that “Those who have less in life should have more in law.” He undertook to implement the following programs and projects: • The Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program • Provision of Philhealth Benefits to Indigents • Granted Educational Assistance to students thru: • LGU Iskolar Program • Educational Assistance Program) • Granted Aids in Crisis Situation • Granted Financial Assistance through the Local Health Program • Implemented and Improved Early Childhood Care and Development Programs • Intensified Senior Citizens’ Welfare • Prioritized Concerns of Persons with Disabilities • Granted Loans to Applicants for Self Employment Assistance • Provided Supplemental Feeding to Day Care Children • Sustained the Special Program for Employment of Students • Strengthened Housing Programs AGENDUM 6 – STRENGTENING NON-GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATIONS Mayor Black ensured a strong linkage and coordination with the different non-government organizations. He assured that each of these organizations are properly represented and heard during planning meetings of the Municipal Development Council and Local Poverty Reduction Alleviation Team.

AGENDUM 7 – PROVISION OF ENABLING ENVIRONMENT FOR GOOD BUSINESS ENTERPRISE Mayor Black embarked on the following programs and activities to promote trade in the Municipality: • Establishment of Effective Marketing Program • Imposition of Low Tax Rates • Established Strong Linkages with Outside Market Centers • Constructed a New Slaughterhouse • Established a New Public Market • Constructed Commercial Buildings with Complete Support Facilities • Ongoing Construction of a New Memorial Park with Complete Facilities • Construction of a Pasalubong Center ( in progress)

Most Outstanding Mayor Award 2016 AGENDUM 8 - INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAMS With barely more than two years in the service as Municipal Mayor, Mayor Black tremendously caused the construction and completion of various landmark projects which include : • The Imposing Mural which is strategically situated at the façade of the Basilica Minore of Our Lady of Piat; • Road Widening Projects • Concreting of all Barangay Roads • Installation of Electrical Facilities in all Barangays • Installation of Water Supply in all Barangays • Installation of high end internet Receivers and Transmitters AGENDUM 9 – MAINTENANCE OF PEACE AND ORDER One of the primordial concerns of Mayor Black is the maintenance of Peace, Order and Security in the Municipality.

He closely worked with the police authorities to enforce the following programs and activities: • Suppression of Insurgency Problems • Eradication of Drug Addiction • Regulation of Traffic • Established Women / Children Protection Desk • Maximized Implementation of OPLAN VISA • Intensified Anti Cattle Rustling Law • Established Tourists’ Assistance Desk • Established Human Rights Desk • Activated PNP Hotline • Organized Barangay Peacemaking Action Teams • Established Police Outpost Services for Technical Emergency Response AGENDUM 10 – DEVELOPMENT AND PROMOTION OF AGRI-TOURISM Piat is known as a tourist destination in the North, primarily because of the presence of Our Lady of Piat here, enshrined in the Basilica Minore of Our Lady of Piat, and secondarily, because of its Annual Sambali Festival. Sambali Festival is an institutionalized weeklong annual celebration which is now on its 27th year. This festival is anchored on the Marian Faith and continues to depict the

unwavering faith and gratitude of the Ytawit for all the blessings they received through the intercession of Our Lady of Piat.

• The Establishment of the PIAT (People’s Integrated AgriTourism) Center – This project is known to be the Magnum Opus of his administration. It is the centerpiece of all his dream projects. The completion of this project will expectedly transform Piat into a full blown tourist destination. This early on, the area is already utilized as a boating area, jogging, walking and bicycling center for local residents. Soon to rise in this center will be zip lining and cable car facilities that will complete its being a tourist destination.

PLUS 1 AGENDUM - INSTITUTIONAL/ ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT Human resource development merits the attention of Mayor Black. He believes that optimum efficiency can be best achieved through proper manpower motivation which can be attained by empowering his present workforce by adopting the following human resource interventions: : • Timely disbursement of employee benefits • Filling up of Vacant Funded Positions • Yearly Lakbay Aral • Attendance to Seminars and Trainings • Giving of Awards, Incentives and Commedations OTHER INNOVATIVE PROGRAMS/ ACTIVITIES: • HIS FREE LEGAL CLINIC • MONTHLY CONDUCT OF LGU ON WHEELS • ACTIVATION OF RESCUE 18 TEAM – (WASAR- Water Search and Rescue Team) • WEEKLY MEETING OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE • ACTIVATION OF ALERT ( Auxiliary Local Emergency Response Team) • ANNUAL SUMMER SPORTSFEST ( MUNICIPAL AND BARANGAY LEVELS) • CELEBRATION OF STATE AFFAIRS ( Independence and Rizal Day )

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