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Bacolod City was chosen as the Top Model City
across all criteria by a panel of judges composed of
Architect Felino Palafox, Convergys Philippines Services
Corp. Chairman Marife Zamora, Wilcon Depot Director
Rosemarie Bosch-Ong, and P&A Grant Thornton Tax Advisory and
Compliance Division Head Eleanor Roque.
Bacolod came with the most complete set officials, led by
Mayor Evelio Leonardia, Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran, and
Rep. Greg Gasataya.
The Safe Haven Award for peace and order was
given to Sta. Rosa City, with city administrator Mauel
Alipon receiving the trophy from presenter South Forbes Golf
Club.
The Environment Friendly Award was handed to
Batangas City and was received by Mayor Beverly Rose
Dimacuha-Mariño from Wilcon Depot.
The Business Friendly Award (for ease of
doing business) was given to San Fernando City, Pampanga and
was received by Mayor Edwin Santiago from P&A Grant
Thornton.
The Retirement Haven Award was presented by
the Philippine Retirement Authority to Tagaytay City,
represented by planning officer Carlos Zuñiga. The Education
Hub Award (public scholarships, city-funded schools) went to
Parañaque City, with Mayor Edwin Olivarez and wife Janet
together with key city government personnel accepting the
trophy.
Meanwhile, two cities were recognized for
being Social Services Oriented – with Quezon City as the
winner for Programs for Youth Development and Empowerment,
and Zamboanga City for Programs for Health and Elderly.
Mayor Isabel Climaco received the award for
the western Mindanao city, together with the largest
contingent that attended the event. Phirst Park Homes
presented the award.
Mandaluyong City got the Wealth Center Award
(investment friendly and improved tax system) with Mayor
Carmelita Abalos receiving the trophy from presenter San
Miguel Corp.
Mayor John Bongat received the Livelihood and
Employment Haven Award (jobs and programs for self
sufficiency of residents) for Naga City.
The Road Home Award (public infrastructure
and public housing projects) went to General Santos City,
received by Vice Mayor Shirlyn Nograles.
The Emergency and Disaster Management Award
(improved emergency response and rescue, equipment, etc.)
went to Laoag City, with Mayor Chevylle Fariñas receiving
the trophy.
Davao City won the Tourism Hub Award
(business and leisure tourism) with presenter Marco Polo
Davao receiving the trophy on behalf of President Rodrigo
Duterte’s home city.
As a preview of the next awards where
municipalities will be included, a special recognition was
handed to an emerging hub from the south, the Municipality
of Nunungan, Lanao del Norte, which was received by Mayor
Marcos Mamay.
In his opening remarks, The Manila Times
President and Chief Executive Officer Dante Francis “Klink”
Ang 2nd, explained that the awards “aim to recognize
effective and innovative local governance that improves the
quality of life, make local business environments
friendlier, and overall makes this country a great place to
live.”
Ang was assisted by the paper’s chief
operating officer, Blanca Mercado, in handing out the
trophies.
Palafox, managing partner and founder of
renowned architecture and urban planning firm Palafox
Associates, delivered a lecture titled “Cities of the
Future: Philippines at 500, 2021 and Beyond”
Vickram Cuttaree, World Bank Sustainable
Development for the Philippines program leader, spoke on
“Competitive, Inclusive and Sustainable Cities.”
Roque discussed efforts by local governments
to ease business processes, while KMC MAG Group Managing
Director Michael McCullough spoke on “Manila Green Building
Trends and Market Outlook.”
Gracing the affair was The Manila Times
Chairman Emeritus Dr. Dante Arevalo Ang, who was recently
named Special Envoy of the President for International
Public Relations.
Also present were key officers of The Manila
Times – Editor in Chief Neri Tenorio, Lifestyle and
Entertainment Editor Tessa Mauricio-Arriola, Supplements
Editor Lea Beltran, Vice President for Sales and Marketing
Danny Ocampo, Vice President for Finance Evelyn Fauni,
Advertising Director Roda Zabat and Marketing Communications
and Services Director Denise Calnea.
Story Courtesy of The Manila Times
http://www.manilatimes.net/bacolod-named-top-model-city/326750/
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