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NATION BUILDERS & MOSLIV AWARDSBE EARTH-WISECOPYRIGHT @ 2023 SUSTAINABILITY STANDARDS, INC. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means without permission from the publisher.Published by SUSTAINABILITY STANDARDS, INC. 146 Alfaro Place, LP. Leviste Street UG-39, Salcedo Village Makati City, 1227 Philippines Phone: (02) 8280 2965: (02) 8260.2539; 09688581982www.sustainability-standards.orgKARL STUART MCLEAN Chairman and PublisherKENNETH P. ROCETE President & CEOLARRY BROUHARD Managing DirectorMYKE MIRAVITE Managing EditorLANI F. ESTEBAN Project Director RUTCHIE VIDAL MCLEAN Director for TreasuryREYNALDO V. CUNANAN Director for Finance & AccountingROGER E. DOMINGO, JRDirector for Admin & General ServicesDONDON PESTAÑO Creative and GraphicsATTY. CONNIE OJEDALegalCONTRIBUTORSDISCLAIMEREffort was exerted to reach out to the persons and organizations featured in this book. We appreciate the time that many have allotted in responding to inquiries and to the submission of information and media by each organization and awardeeWENDY B. ESPINO VHON CYRUS MAGDURULANANDRIANNE PHOT NG MARCIAL J. CUSTODIO, III ARVIN ANTHONY L. LABICANE MICHAEL JOSEPH UY JAZZ TUGADE REXCEL JOHN SORZA MARY LOU D. MONTOYA DAN MARK B. NIETO ROMULO PEREZ ATTY. JEROME A. MATAS NOEL BAGUIO RIO GARCIA MIGUEL GONZALES KRIZIA LIM NUNEZ MONICA CATUNGAL JOVIN DELOS REYES GILBERT B. BONGCAWELATTY. CASEY LORENZO B. PUNSALAN BERNADETTE ALBANA RENZELLE DE JESUS NIKKA ARANETA ARNEL TICZON ROLAN LASTIMOSA LYN D. REGODOS YVONNE GRACE J. DOLOROSAJOCELYN ALVAREZ YURI JAN D. JARDER SHARMAINE MACHADOCHRISTIAN FRANCIS GARVIDA JEANY EVE N. YNOT SHIRLEY A. VIERNES, JD JEROME R. BARCELONA, JR. LOUISE SIMBULAN GLENNETTE B. NABALITAN RANDY M. OLEDAN ALVIN SORIANODR. MERVIN JAY Z. SUAYBAGO, PhD, DDM, LPTATTY. MICHAEL ANGELO S. BORROMEO ATTY. REINA SANTOS JUDE S. SULLA EDGARDO B. COLLADO RAFAEL B. BEDREJO KATRINA ROQUE FEBIE ROSE ALBERANDO FERNANDEZ DONA ALBORIDA JOSE EDWIN V. DE FELIX BRYAN M. BARQUIN, LCB, JD CLAIR MAURO SAMMY DOMINGO MA. ARNIE FE M. ALAYON JERIC L. LLAMAS GENESIS MANUEL D. SABALBORO DAVERICK T. ENCLUNA JOSHUA B. PEÑALVER SHANN ALGERSON M. MONTALBO®

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ForewordOur planet is facing unprecedented challenges, from the rapid loss of biodiversity to the threat of climate change. These challenges require urgent action and we must all work together to ﬁnd sustainable solutions to ensure a healthy planet for future generations.Here at the Nation Builders and Mosliv Awards, we always seek to explore the critical importance of sustainability and biodiversity in the world today. We recognize the leaders, organizations, and governments who are doing their part in leaving a positive mark for the next generations. We acknowledge their heroics and celebrate their achievements in living a life of advocacy.Through this book, we showcase the inspiring efforts of these individuals and organizations across the country and around the world, who are working tirelessly to -- directly or indirectly -- protect humankind and preserve the planet. From community-led conservation projects to innovative sustainable technologies, we witness the many ways in which we can make a positive impact for the sake of the next generation.At its core, the Nation Builders and Mosliv Awards is a call to action. We must all take responsibility for our actions towards a more sustainable future. Through education, awareness, and collective action, we can make a difference and create a world that is truly sustainable.We hope that this book will inspire you to join us on this journey towards a healthier planet. Together, we can create a better future for ourselves, for our children, and for all living things.

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MESSAGE FROM THEAssalamulaikum.My sincerest gratitude to the people behind Nation Builders and Most Sustainable and Liveable Community or Mosliv Awards for the inspiring work you have done, recognizing the active involvement of the Filipino people and strengthening their capacities to promote sustainability standards in our communities. This gathering brings inspiration and complements the government’s whole-of-nation approach, promoting diversified ideas and actions, and refining leadership strategies to engender long-term planning and sustainability of the economy, environment and human capital development.I urge the Most Sustainable and Liveable Communities to actively innovate and develop networking and communication platforms to enhance the effectiveness of our entrepreneurs, organization leaders, and government officials. We need nation builders to respond to the global trend of sustainability and the urgent need for climate action and compassing climate change mitigation and adaptation measures, land use planning, reducing carbon emissions, and disaster risk reduction and response. Let us collaborate to build sustainable and climate-resilient communities and cities across the Philippines and around the world.Patuloy nating mahalin ang Pilipinas.Shukran. Maraming Salamat.OFFICE OF VICE PRESIDENT SARA DUTERTERepublic of the PhilippinesSARA Z. DUTERTEVICE PRESIDENT REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINESSECRETARY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION@Inday Sara Duterte@indaysara@indaysaraduterte

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MESSAGE FROM THEIt gives me great pleasure to be part of the Nation Builders & Mosliv Awards by sending this heartfelt message to your esteemed organization on behalf of the Senate and the entire nation. Your efforts to work with individuals, organizations, and the government to commit towards protecting our environment, promoting social equity, and improving economic prosperity are a testament to your dedication and tireless work. The whole world is benefiting from your work, and your efforts’ impact is felt far and wide. You have shown us that we can all work together for the greater good of humanity, and the benefits of that collaboration can be felt for years to come.As a public servant, I have always believed that sustainable development should be the foundation of all our endeavors. We owe it to ourselves and future generations to ensure that our communities are not only liveable but also sustainable. Meeting sustainability standards requires a concerted effort from all stakeholders- individuals, communities, government, and non-government organizations. And you have managed to achieve that commendable feat. Rest assured that I will continue to support and push legislation that shall focus on creating economic growth that is both environmentally friendly and socially responsible.At this point, I express my utmost gratitude and congratulations to the awardees and to each one of you for your strong commitment to this endeavor. Let us work together to be one in promoting sustainable development for the betterment of our communities.OFFICE OF SENATOR FRANCIS TOLENTINOSENATOR FRANCIS “TOL” N. TOLENTINORepublic of the PhilippinesSENATEfrancistolngbayan francistolngbayansenfrancistolentino senfrancistolentino

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MESSAGE FROM THEIt is with immense pleasure and heartfelt congratulations that I extend my warmest regards to all the recipients of the prestigious Nation Builders and Mosliv Awards this year.In a time when our country faces numerous challenges, it is the efforts of individuals like you that serve as a beacon of hoppe and inspiration. Your tireless work and unwavering passion have made a significant impact on the lives of countless Filipinos, and for that, we are eternally grateful. Though your dedication, you have proven that one person’s determination can indeed make difference.The Mosliv and Nation Builders Awards serve as timely reminder of the value of honoring and appreciating the unsung heroes who toil tirelessly in the background. Your selfless acts of service and your ability to uplift others are truly commendable, and it is an honor to witness your achievements being acknowledged today.May your successes inspire and empower other, and may your dedication to helping others lead us to a better and more prosperous future for our nation.As we move forward, let us continue to strive for excellence and embody the spirit of service that has brought us here today. Together, let us build a Philippines that is grounded in compassion, inclusivity, and progress.Maraming salamat po. Mabuhay tayong lahat!OFFICE OF SENATOR CHRISTOPHER LAWRENCE GOSENATOR CHRISTOPHER LAWRENCE T. GORepublic of the PhilippinesSENATE@senatorbonggo www.senatorbonggo.ph

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MESSAGE FROM THEMy warmest greeting to all!I extend my warmest greetings and heartfelt congratulations to this year’s awardees of the 2023 Nation Builders and Most Sustainable and Liveable (MOSLIV) Community Awards, which include local governments units, public servants, and the private sector.Amidst ecological degradation and other complex challenges caused by climate change, the awardees in various categories have shown that making a positive impact on the environment and communities is possible through their unwavering commitment to sustainability. Their innovative ideas and tireless efforts in fields, such as promoting sustainable agricultural practices, renewable energy, green building practices, sound extended producer responsibility (EPR), sustainable transportation, sustainable tourism, just to name a few, have led to the creation of sustainable and liveable communities that serve as inspiring models for others to follow. By valuing our natural resources and adopting environmentally friendly practices, the awardees have exhibited to us that a sustainable future should not be made just possible, but necessary.I commend the Sustainable Standards, Inc. for its efforts in bringing together like-minded individuals and organizations to promote sustainable development. The challenges we face require collaboration and partnerships, and the Nation Builders and MOSLIV Communities Awards serve as an example of how we can come together to create a better future.Once again, congratulations to all awardees for your remarkable dedication to sustainability, and may your efforts continue to inspire positive change for generations to come. I wish you all the best in your future endeavors as we work together to build a better world.God bless and stay safe.OFFICE OF SENATOR CYNTHIA VILLARCYNTHIA A. VILLARChairpersonCommittee on Agriculture, Food and Agrarian ReformCommittee on Environment, Natural Resources and Climate ChangeRepublic of the PhilippinesSENATESenator.Cynthia.Villar Cynthia_Villar www.cynthiavillar.com.ph

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MESSAGE FROM THEMy warmest greetings to all community leaders, esteemed guests, honorees, officers, and members of MOSLIV Communities by Sustainability Standards, Inc.We come together to celebrate and honor the outstanding contributions of individuals and organizations who are driving positive change in our communities, we are reminded of the importance of building a brighter future for our fellow Filipinos.This year’s theme truly reflects the importance of prioritizing sustainability and inclusivity in our communities. By adopting smarter, sustainable, and greener practices, we are not only ensuring a prosperous present but also laying down a solid foundation for the well-being of future generations.I commend your organization for continuously promoting excellence and establishing professionalism in the industry. Your efforts and achievements inspire us all and serve as a beacon of hope for a better, more sustainable future.Rest assured that as a senator, I will support your vision through meaningful legislation that prioritize and advance the well-being and future of our society.Again, congratulations to all the deserving awardees and I wish you all the best in your future endeavors.Maraming salamat at mabuhay tayong lahat!OFFICE OF SENATOR MARK VILLARHON. MARK A. VILLARDeputy Majority Floor LeaderRepublic of the PhilippinesSENATEwww.markvillar.com.ph Mark Villar Mark Villarsenatormarkvillar@gmail.com

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MESSAGE FROM THEMy sincerest greetings and congratulations to the Officers and members of Most Sustainable and Livable Communities (MOSLIV Communities) by the Sustainability Standards, Inc. as it holds its Annual Nation Builders and MOSLIV Awards this year. Your program towards the integration and inclusivity of sustainable and greener communities across the country is indubitably the same vision we have in the Department of Interior and Local Government, that is to maintain peace and order, and public safety.Without your organization’s bold efforts and initiatives in bringing forth sustainable system for our people, and for their respective communities – we will not be able to exceed the environmental challenges our Nation’s have suffered. Continue to be an epitome of good governance among and between your institution and apply the same standards and zeal to your goal as an organization that safeguards our environment and ensures that our natural resources are adequate and suitable for the future generation. May this year be a continuance of your officialdom’s unceasing commitment and dedication to integrate, reform, and transform our societies to a greener and self-supporting communities.Your selfless pledge to uphold the welfare and interests of our forthcoming generation is one of our duties as a responsible citizen of this nation. Again, my congratulations to the men and women of MOSLIV Communities and to the astounding Nation Builders Awardees! May you continue to underscore your vision and advocacy of protecting our Mother Nature, our future. To building a greener and safer nation.UNDERSECRETARY SERAFIN BARRETTOSERAFIN P. BARRETTO JR., CESO IVUndersecretary for Public Safety“Matino, Mahusay at Maaasahan”Republic of the PhilippinesDEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTwww.dilg.gov.ph

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MESSAGE FROM THEThe Philippines has become famous for being the number one polluter of the oceans, something we must not ever be proud of, as we want to leave this world to our children in a better way, and not as a sewer, which it appears to be the case at present.So, what do we need to do?Firstly, as most garbage and pollution come in via the garbage in our rivers, we must block this garbage from entering our pristine oceans by blocking it at the estuaries and taking out this garbage, and then try to recycle or destroy the garbage. What is the worst type of garbage? Single user plastics such as water bottles, and the empty sachets from shampoo, conditioner and toothpaste. The main reason we are number one in this subject is down to poverty, as most people in our country cannot afford to buy bottles and can only afford to buy sachets, so we must also address “refilling” programs to keep away single use sachets wherever possible. LGU’s can set up programs for this.This will also affect our reefs and marine life, as they will inhale these products once disintegrated into smaller particles. Clean water and a clean ocean will drastically improve the condition of our coral reefs and marine life diversity, leaving behind a beautiful clean legacy.Many people comment on our azure blue oceans in certain places and we must ensure that they stay and we build on these to ensure that the Philippines will always be remembered as a clean and clear water environment, which our children and visitors can enjoy.By not having taken care of our coral reef systems, we have lost many fish such as parrot fish and groups as they often feed off the reefs as a part of our marine life diversity. We must bring in technology that will allow us to recycle items such as used tires and single user plastics to ensure that our environment remains clean, and continue ongoing environmental education.Philippines will become the cleanest country in South East Asia for us all to enjoy.CHAIRMANwww.sustainability-standards.orgKARL S. MCLEAN, KSTChairman, Sustainability Standards Inc.

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MESSAGE FROM THEIn August 2021, the United Nations warns in its report a ‘code red’ for humanity unless action is taken on climate change. Elsewhere, Greenland’s ice sheet is melting at the fastest rate in 12,000 years; Siberia experienced massive wildfire amid a record heatwave; and the Great Barrier Reef suffered its third mass bleaching event in five years.We do not have to look far as just recently, an oil spill is currently threatening to destroy what is dubbed as one of the most important biodiversity hotspots in the planet, the seas of Mindoro, Palawan, Batangas and its surrounding areas.If news headlines are any indication, it looks like that we’re in for a dire future. But thankfully, there are extraordinary individuals who rise up to the occasion; governments who choose to do what is right over what is easy; and groups and organizations who go beyond their duty to pitch in to the movement to save the planet.The Nation Builders and Mosliv Awards celebrates these people and groups who accomplish great things in the name of sustainability. And as we recognize what they have done, this book is also a reminder that we are all stewards of the planet, and it is our responsibility to ensure that we leave it in better condition than we found it.Whether it is through supporting conservation efforts, advocating for environmental policy changes, or simply being mindful of our own actions, we all have the power to make a positive difference.I enjoin you to take action today and work towards a more sustainable and conservation-minded future. Together, we can create a healthier, more vibrant planet for ourselves and future generations.EXECUTIVE DIRECTORKENNETH PRIETO ROCETEPresident and CEO Nation Builders and Mosliv Awardswww.sustainability-standards.org

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AWARDS COMMITTEE COUNCILNICO LEIBENGUTHSCOTT COUNTRYMAN, MBALARRY BROUGHARDCAROLE ANN SOLIDUM SARTHOU Nico, with his background as electrical engineer, is looking back into 35 years of experience in power generation, power transmission and renewable energy technologies. For 27 years, bridging European and US companies with the markets in Asia, he helped to build strong partnerships between innovative technology providers and local players in Asia, to boost the transformation from fossil fuels to renewable energy solutions. He covers the complete portfolio of traditional and new power generation technology and helps to identify the business potential in the Asian markets. Supporting several startups and helping very well-known brands to build up their business platforms in the Philippines in different segments of the fast-growing renewable energy sector in Asia. “Me and my team is excited to look into new technologies like airborne high altitude wind power generation, PV – Diesel Fuel Save management, new Energy Storage technology, High level off grid, micro and mini grid solutions. The journey just started, and we are proud to be a part of it, with complete new technologies and concepts in our portfolios.” He is the Executive Director of the Coral Triangle Conservancy. Born and raised in Southern California he has lived in the Philippines and Oceana for the past 28 years founding and managing enterprise scale technology-based companies in tourism, call centers, and digital media. Nine years ago, he switched gears to dedicate his life protecting marine environments and to use his entrepreneurial skills to innovate solutions to some of the biggest challenges facing the future of coral reefs. Scott has a BA from the University of California at Santa Barbara and an MBA from the University of Southern California. He is a Naturalist, Climate Change Reality Project mentor, licensed US Coast Guard Captain, boat builder, coral farmer, waterman, husband and father. Scott has a broad scientiﬁc experience on mineral accretion using marine renewable energy to grow limestone structures for marine habitats, coastal storm defense and breakwaters. This will highlight how regenerative industries can be aligned with marine renewable energy use. Integrating energy users to support regenerative activities as part of the Marine Aquaculture, Reefs, Renewable Energy, and Ecotourism for Ecosystem Services TA and the wider Action Plan for Healthy Oceans and Sustainable Blue Economies at The Asian Development Bank. Larry spent his 42 years running ICCS, Japan’s largest PR company focused on IT, specializing in writing, editing and producing technical documents, advertising, and multimedia training programs for Japanese companies. Bilingual communications liaison between Japanese and U.S. engineers in the leisure vehicles and IT industries. He also traveled for interpreting projects, smoothing communication between English-speaking and Japanese business and technical professionals. Specialties: Editing technical and scientiﬁc papers for Japanese engineers and researchers. Lecturing on technical writing, business writing, and presentations. Video and audio production. Voiceovers of translations from Japanese to English (more than 1000 titles spanning 40 plus years). Carole is a seasoned Research Professional, with over 40 years’ experience in Consumer and Media Research. She holds a Communication Research Degree from UP College of Mass Communication and was formerly Research Manager at Kraft Foods Philippines, Managing Director of AGB Philippines, Managing Director of AMI – Synovate – Ipsos, and Executive Director for Media in Nielsen.Carole was a Director of MORES for more than 20 years and served as President in 1998 and 2001. SENIOR CONSULTANT, SOWI HYBRID INDUSTRIESEXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, CORAL TRIANGLE CONSERVANCY, INC. PRESIDENT & CEO, G-TECH ENTERPRISESMANAGING PARTNER, CONSUMER REPUBLIQ INC.

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ARCH. LOUWIE A. GANQUINTIN V. PASTRANAFR. ANTONIO “BENG” MOLAVIN, SDB Louwie A. Gan is the 1st Filipino architect and urban planner accredited by international green building organizations in United States and Asia. He has also received sustainability accreditations in the United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates. He has served as consultant and resource person in the United Nations Development Programme, at senate public hearings, and is currently serving as consultant for the Makati City Government. He earned his Master of Arts in Urban Planning from the University of the Philippines, Master of Science in Biomimicry from Arizona State University, and MicroMasters at MIT Center for Transportation and Logistics. He is presently taking Master’s degree in Sustainability (extension studies) at Harvard University. Quintin Pastrana is the President of WEnergy Power Pilipinas and Head of International Business Development for WEnergy Global, a leader in the renewable energy and hybrid microgrid sector. He has degrees in Business, International Relations, and Literature from the Universities of Georgetown, Cambridge, and Oxford. Quintin is the founder of the award-winning Library Renrewal Parthership, and an author of 3 books. He has been named one of the country’s and region’s top leaders by both the Asia Society and among the US-ASEAN Business Council. Father “Beng” is the parish priest of Don Bosco, San Ildefenso, but doubles up as Head of Sustainability for Don Bosco around the Philippines. This includes their ﬂagship project with Plasticbank, where they take back old plastic and get it recycled. As he always says:“You raise me up”which is what he does to all the children at Don Bosco and to all his parishioners. “Don Bosco Tech (or DB TECH) is a member of Don Bosco Green Alliance (DBGA) which brings together in a common platform all the ecological initiatives of Don Bosco institutes worldwide. Fr. Antonio “Beng” Molavin SDB is the present Convener of DBGA”, and it is the desire and dream of Don Bosco to create a more sustainable life for all people around the world, starting with recycle, reuse and offset of plastics. This directive is also supported by Pope Francis.WORLD RENOWNED URBAN PLANNERPRESIDENT, WENERGY POWER PILIPINAS, INC.HEAD OF SUSTAINABILITY, DON BOSCO GREEN ALLIANCE (DBGA)LANI F. ESTEBAN Lani F. Esteban is a graduate of AB Mass Communication from University of the Philippines, Diliman. Her broadcast media career began as a Writer/ Segment Producer for ABS-CBN programs such as Rated K, Umagang Kayganda, Pinoy Big Brother, and TV Patrol. In 2010, she was given an offer to direct | television programs for IBC 13 and Solar Entertainment. Before putting up her own Video Production/Marketing business, she held multiple marketing and branding positions for large companies overseeing and leading creative efforts in advertising, video content, social media marketing, branding and packaging. In 2017 she put up Director’s Chair Production, whose pursuit is to provide brand afﬁnity, awareness and sales for client brands. In working directly with clients, she aspires to develop partnerships to deliver strategic and emotionally-resonant creative that also successfully achieves brand goals.PRESIDENT & CEO, DIRECTORS CHAIR PRODUCTION

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ContentsHON. MICHAEL L. ROMERO, Ph.D.Representative, Party List - 1-PACMAN .................................................................................HON. RAMON JOLO B. REVILLA, IIIRepresentative, Cavite, 1st District ........................................................................................ HON. WILTER Y. PALMADeputy Majority LeaderRepresentative, Zamboanga Sibugay, 1st District ................................................................HON. ERIC GO YAPRepresentative, Benguet, Lone District .................................................................................HON. ERNESTO M. DIONISIO, JR.Representative, Manila, 1st District .......................................................................................HON. JULIENNE “JAM” L. BARONDADeputy Majority LeaderRepresentative, Iloilo City, Lone District ...............................................................................HON. FLORIDA “RIDA” P. ROBESRepresentative, San Jose Del Monte City, Lone District ......................................................HON. MARJORIE ANN A. TEODORORepresentative, Marikina City, 1st District .............................................................................HON. MARGARITA IGNACIA B. NOGRALESRepresentative, Party List – PBA ............................................................................................HON. SHERNEE A. TAN-TAMBUTRepresentative, Party List - KUSUG TAUSUG ........................................................................HON. EDWIN I. JUBAHIBGovernor, Davao Del Norte ...................................................................................................HON. FREDENIL HERNAEZ CASTROGovernor, Capiz ......................................................................................................................HON. RAMON VICENTE “RAM REVILLA” M. BAUTISTANational President, Provincial Board Members League of the Philippines Board Member - Cavite ..........................................................................................................HON. MARIA KRISTA A. PIÑOL-SOLIS, R.N., M.D.Board Member – North Cotabato .........................................................................................HON. GLENN ANTHONY A. SOCOBoard Member – Cebu ...........................................................................................................ATTY. JOSE PAULO M. EVANGELISTACity Mayor, City Government of Kidapawan .........................................................................HON. JOHN M. DALIPECity Mayor, City Government of Zamboanga ........................................................................HON. MARJORIE P. PERALESCity Mayor, Government of Toledo City, Cebu .....................................................................HON. ARTURO B. ROBESCity Mayor, City Government of San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan ............................................HON. MICHAEL MARCOS KEONCity Mayor, Government of Laoag City, Ilocos Norte ........................................................... ATTY. CARLO JOSE A. MARTINEZCity Mayor, Government of Bogo City, Cebu ........................................................................HON. SALVADOR G. ESCALANTE, JR.City Mayor, Government of Cadiz City, Negros Occidental .................................................HON. JOEDITH C. GALLEGO City Mayor, City Government of Silay, Negros Occidental ...................................................AWARDED HONORARY CONGRESSMAN OF THE YEARAWARDED HONORARY CONGRESSWOMAN OF THE YEARAWARDED HONORARY GOVERNOR OF THE YEARAWARDED HONORARY BOARD MEMBER OF THE YEARAWARDED HONORARY LOCAL CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR1923273135394347515559636771757983879195101105109

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HON. HANDY T. LAONational President, Philippine Councilors LeaguePCL President, Province of Ilocos NorteCouncilor, City Government of Laoag ...................................................................................HON. MARKY “KONSITORNI” S. OLIVEROSCouncilor, City Government of San Pedro, Laguna ..............................................................HON. KERT LEAN N. CABADONGACouncilor, Municipal Government of Don Carlos, Bukidnon ................................................HON. RICHELLE P. NAGUITCouncilor, Municipal Government of Minalin, Pampanga ....................................................AWARDED HONORARY COUNCILOR OF THE YEARHON. JOHN MARVIN “YUL SERVO” C. NIETOVice Mayor, City Government of Manila ................................................................................HON. BERNARD “NINONG” C. DELA CRUZNational Chairman, Vice Mayors League of The PhilippinesVice Mayor, City Government of Malabon ............................................................................HON. JAY B. SIGUEVice Mayor, City Government of Toledo, Cebu .....................................................................HON. EMMANUEL M. ALEJANDRINOVice Mayor, Municipal Government of Arayat, Pampanga ...................................................HON. JUSTIN G. COLAGOVice Mayor, City Government of San Pablo, Laguna .............................................................HON. LILIA O. DECOLONGON Vice Mayor, Government of Cadiz City, Negros Occidental .................................................HON. JOSEPHINE S. EVANGELISTAVice Mayor, Municipal Government of Los Baños, Laguna ...................................................HON. JULIET JAMITO MACAPAZVice Mayor, Municipal Government of Jose Dalman, Zamboanga Del Norte ......................HON. HALIMA B. MUÑOZVice Mayor, Municipal Government of Mabini, Davao De Oro .............................................HON. VERONICA C. RAMIREZVice Mayor, Municipal Government of Guiuan, Eastern Samar ...........................................AWARDED HONORARY VICE MAYOR OF THE YEARHON. JOSE CARLOS L. CARIMayor, City Government of Baybay, Leyte ............................................................................HON. CAESAR “JAYCEE” S. DY, JR.City Mayor, City Government of Cauayan, Isabela ................................................................HON. MARILOU F. MORILLO City Mayor, City Government of Calapan ..............................................................................ATTY. AGATHA PAULA “AGAY” A. CRUZMayor, Municipal Government of Guiguinto, Bulacan ..........................................................HON. MARIA LOURDES M. ALEJANDRINOMayor, Municipal Government of Arayat, Pampanga ...........................................................ATTY. RAJIV V. ENADMayor, Municipal Government of Minglanilla, Cebu ............................................................HON. DARWIN E. BAJADAMayor, Municipal Government of San Dionisio, Iloilo Province ............................................HON. ELIZABETH T. MATUGASMayor, Municipal Government of Dapa, Surigao Del Norte .................................................HON. PHILIP S. NAGUIT Mayor, Municipal Government of Minalin, Pampanga ..........................................................HON. BERNANDINO G. TACOYMayor, Municipal Government of Matag-Ob, Leyte .............................................................HON. RAYMUND A. BALAGAPOBarangay Captain, Barangay 109, Tacloban City ...................................................................AWARDED HONORARY BARANGAY CAPTAIN OF THE YEAR113117121127131135139143147151155159163167171175179183187191195201205209213Contents

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ENP. KRISNAH MARIE H. ALAYANMunicipal Planning and Development Coordinator &Designated Zoning AdministratorLocal Government Unit of Agdangan, Quezon .....................................................................HON. JEZRYL D. RECLASK Federation Vice President, Cadiz CitySK Chairperson, Barangay VF Gustilo, Cadiz City .................................................................AWARDED HONORARY PUBLIC SERVANT OF THE YEARDR. JEMELENE GO QUIPresident & CEOPolystar General Services, Inc. ...............................................................................................PASTOR APOLLO C. QUIBOLOYThe Kingdom of Jesus Christ .................................................................................................AWARDED HONORARY PHILANTHROPIST OF THE YEARAWARDED HONORARY SPIRITUAL LEADER WITH STRONG ADVOCACYFOR PEACE AND NATION BUILDING OF THE YEARMS. LYNETTE MEDINAMrs. Universe Northern 2021 (Held in June 2022)Physiotherapy AssistantGuy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation TrustLondon, United Kingdom .......................................................................................................MS. GEM CASTILLOCEO, Paseo De San Pablo .....................................................................................................PGEN BENJAMIN C. ACORDA, JR.Chief, Philippine National PolicePNP National Headquarters ...................................................................................................DR. PERSIDA V. RUEDA-ACOSTA, DSDChief Public AttorneyPublic Attorney’s Office – (PAO) ............................................................................................AWARDED HONORARY MODERN FILIPINA HEROISM OF THE YEARAWARDED HONORARY MOST EMPOWERED WOMAN OF THE YEARAWARDED HONORARY PUBLIC SERVANT OF THE YEAR– EXCELLENCE IN GOVERNMENT SERVICE1-PACMAN PARTY LIST ........................................................................................................LONE DISTRICT OF SAN JOSE DEL MONTE CITY ........................................................... 1ST DISTRICT OF ZAMBOANGA SIBUGAY .......................................................................CERTIFIED MOST SUSTAINABLE AND LIVEABLE PARTY LISTCERTIFIED MOST SUSTAINABLE AND LIVEABLE DISTRICTDAVAO DEL NORTE .............................................................................................................CERTIFIED MOST SUSTAINABLE AND LIVEABLE PROVINCECITY OF KIDAPAWAN .......................................................................................................... CITY OF ZAMBOANGA ........................................................................................................ CITY OF TOLEDO, CEBU ..................................................................................................... CITY OF TAYABAS, QUEZON ..............................................................................................CITY OF SAN JOSE DEL MONTE, BULACAN ....................................................................CITY OF CADIZ, NEGROS OCCIDENTAL ...........................................................................CITY OF CALAPAN, ORIENTAL MINDORO .......................................................................CERTIFIED MOST SUSTAINABLE AND LIVEABLE CITY221225229233237241245249253257261265269273277281285289293ContentsHON. EVA MARIE RIO-FIANZABarangay Captain, Barangay Happy Homes, Old Lucban, Baguio City ..........................................................................................217

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NATION BUILDERSThis fundamental truth is not lost on 1-PACMAN Party list Representave Michael “Mikee” Romero, who is serving his third consecuve term as a lawmaker whose foremost duty is to advocate the welfare of poverty-stricken Filipinos.Eradicang poverty is and has always been among the world’s greatest challenges, but the task has only goen tougher in the face of a warming world that leaves countries like the Philippinesamong the most vulnerable. As representave of One Patrioc Coalion of Marginalized Naonals or 1-PACMAN for the last seven years (17th, 18th, and 19th Congress), Rep. Romero has authored over 1,400 House Bills and Resoluons, of which, 73 have been stamped as Philippine Republic Acts with a resounding naonal impact. Poverty alleviaon is an indispensable requirement for sustainable development, requiring cooperaon from all societal units, starng from the individual to the family to the communityand other relevant stakeholders, such as business, government organizaons and not. Their mission lives on and more in the 19th Congress, as Rep. Mikee Romero carries on with his duty of enabling job generaon and providing basic services to Filipinos, such as free educaon and healthcare. As Chairperson of the House Commiee on Poverty Alleviaon, Romero nds himself at the very frontline of championing the wellbeing of the marginalized in the legislave, well aware of how poverty alleviaon is an indispensable requirement for sustainable development.AWARDED HONORARYCONGRESSMANOF THE YEARHON. MICHAEL L. ROMERO, PH.D.REPRESENTATIVEPARTY LIST, 1-PACMAN19

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SEVEN TRANSFORMATIVE YEARS 1-PACMAN saw this and delivered, having been one of the leading authors of pandemic smulus packages known as Bayanihan 3 and 4, which would soon be renamed as “Babangon Muli Bills”. But prior to the pandemic, the Party list had already been working hard to ensure basic services for the least fortunate Filipinos. Knowing that lack of food on the table and access to quality educaon remain as the biggest concerns of Filipino families, 1-PACMAN led the passage of RA 11310 or the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) Act. Under this naonal poverty reducon strategy and human capital investment program, poor households are receiving condional cash transfer for a maximum period of seven (7) years to help improve their quality of life. They also took part in the making of RA 11201 or the Creaon of the Department of Human Selements and Urban Development, which grants impoverished Filipinos access to aordable and decent housing. During the pandemic, when monster storms ravaged the country on top of the health crisis, ensuring that people had homes to shelter them became a paramount concern. Rep. Romero in his rst term as a lawmaker had led the house bill for what is now RA 10931, or the Universal Access to Quality Terary Educaon Act. Signed in April 2017, the law provides free tuion and other school fees in state universies and colleges all over the country, ensuring access to quality educaon that is known to level the playing eld for disadvantaged children and put an end to the vicious cycle of poverty. Last but not the least, 1-PACMAN sought to protect small farmers with their involvement in the passage of RA 10969 or the Free Irrigaon Service Act, which exempts all farmers with landholding of eight hectares and below from paying irrigaon service fees for water derived from originaon systems managed by the Naonal Irrigaon Administraon (NIA). Farmers connueto be among the poorest in the naon because of the lack of support services, making it necessary to provide such services to support them, especially as more frequent typhoons are sweeping in and destroying their crops. The following are the laws (Republic Acts) 1-PACMAN principally authored and created: AGRICULTURE LAWSRA 10969 Free Irrigaon Service ActRA 11203 Rice Taricaon ActRA11398 Fisheries Regulaon ActRA 11511 Amending the Organic Agriculture ActRA 11524 Cocolevy Trust Fund ActPOVERTY ALLEVIATIONRA 11310 4P’s ActRA 10931 Free Tuion Fee ActHEALTHCARE LAWSRA 11215 Naonal Integrated Cancer Control ActRA 11223 Universal Health ActRA 11228 Mandatory PhilHealth Coverage for All PWD`sRA 11166 Philippine HIV and AIDS Policy Act of 2018RA 11509 Doktor para sa BayanECONOMIC LAWSRA 10929 Free Internet Access in Public PlacesRA 11032 Ease of Doing Business ActRA 1121 New Bangko ng Sentral ng Pilipinas ActRA 11293 Philippines Innovaon ActRA11337 Innovave Startup ActSPORTS LAWRA 11214 Philippine Sports Training Center ActSOCIAL SERVICES AND LABOR LAWSRA 10968 Philippine Qualicaons FrameworkRA 11058 Occupaonal Safety & Health Standards ActRA 11199 SSS Raonalizaon ActRA 11466 Salary Standardizaon Act of 2019 Empowering small businesses, RA 11534 or the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incenves for Enterprises (CREATE) Law was recently enacted, known to be the largest scal smulus for businesses in the country’s recent history. In the eld of health care, Romero ushered reforms through RA11223 or the Universal Health Care Act which provides equitable access to quality and aordable health care, goods, and services. To pay homage to the Overseas Filipinos Workers, who are considered the country’s modern heroes, Romero aimed for the passage of RA 11641 or the Creaon of Department of Migrant Workers to enable smooth coordinaon among agencies concerned with overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and OFW aairs.Awarded Honorary Congressman of the Year21

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PANDEMIC RESPONSE LAWRA 11469 Bayanihan Act to Heal as One 1PERMITS, LICENSES AND PASSPORTS LAWSRA 10928 Ext Validity of PH Passports to 10 YearsRA10930 Ext Validity of Driver`s License to 5 YearsFOR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGYRA 11312 Magna Carta for Sciensts & EngineersFOR SENIOR CITIZENSRA 11350 Naonal Commission of Senior Cizen ActFOR MUSLIM AFFAIRSRA 11054 BANGSAMORO Organic LawFOR ANTI-TERRORISMRA 11479 An-Terrorism Act of 2020FOR NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENERGYRA 11038 Expanded Natl. Integrated Protected Area of 2018RA 11039 Electric Cooperaves Emergency ActFOR TELECOMMUNICATIONSRA11202 Mobile Number Portability ActLOCAL GOVERNMENT LAWSRA 11292 Seal of Local Governance Act of 2019RA 11053 An-Hazing LawTAXES AND REVENUES LAWSRA 10963 TRAIN ActRA11534 CREATE ActRA 11346 Addional Tobacco Sin Tax 1-PACMAN’s legacy as a powerhouse in Congress will always bear the mark of being a champion for the poor. The mulple awards the party list and its representaves have won in its rst seven years in oce are a testament to this. This 19th Congress, they connue to priorize bills for Filipinos:HB 331: Bayan Bangon Muli Bill (Bayanihan 3)HB 332: Creaon of Strategic Fuel Reserve System of the PhilippinesHB 333: Postponement of Barangay EleconsHB 334: Cityhood of Bataraza in PalawanHB 335: Department of SportsHB 336: Department of Disaster ResilienceHB 337: Magna Carta for MSMEs (Amendments)HB 338: Magna Carta for BarangaysHB 339: Landbank 60% Porolio for Farmers and Fisherfolks LoansHB 340: Creaon of Cancer Instute of the Philippines Having served as the House of Representaves’ Senior Deputy Speaker in charge of Polical Aairs from 2019-2022, Mikee Romero is indebted to colleagues and the Filipino people who connue to put their faith in his leadership capabilies, He was also elected as the Deputy Chairman of the House of Representaves’ conngent to the Annual Philippine bicameral budget conferences for years 2021 and 2022. Romero was formerly the Leader and President of the second biggest block in the 18th Congress, the 54-congress member Party List Coalion (PLC) group. It is during his leadership that the Party List Coalion became a strong force and a big swing vote in Congress. From 2016 to 2022, various award giving bodies have taken note of the party list’s dedicaon to serving the public. Romero was consistently awarded annually as a “top performer congressman and an outstanding congressman awardee” by Superbrands Philippines, Asia Leaders Awards, Naon Builders Award, Elite Leaders Awards and others. On top of heading the House Commiee on Poverty Alleviaon, 1PACMAN, through Rep. Romero’s leadership will do more than upli the lives of ordinary Filipinos. The goal is to empower them to live a sustainable life, not just in terms of their means of living but their quality of life as a whole.Awarded Honorary Congressman of the Year22

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NATION BUILDERSRamon Jolo B. Revilla III, fondly referred to as “Jolo” or “Cong. Jolo” by his relaves, friends, and constuents, was born on 15 March 1988 to Sen. Ramon Bong Revilla, Jr. and Cong. Lani Mercado-Revilla. He is the second of six children, and among his siblings are Bryan, who is also a Member in the House of Representaves, and Ram, who serves as a Board Member in the Sangguniang Panlalawigan ng Cavite. He is also the namesake of his grandfather, the legendary statesman and actor Ramon Revilla, Sr. Cong. Jolo started his career in public service as Barangay Chairman of Panapaan VII, Bacoor City in 2010. He was then elected as President of the Associaon of Barangay Councils of the said city. He was also elected as President of the Cavite Provincial Chapter of the Liga ng mga Barangay sa Pilipinas, garnering him a seat as Ex Ocio Member of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Cavite. He was also elected as Naonal Execuve Vice President of the Liga ng mga Barangay sa Pilipinas. Because of his performance as Barangay Chairman and Ex Ocio Member of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Cavite, Cong. Jolo was elected as Vice Governor of the Province of Cavite at 25 years of age, then the youngest vice governor ever to be elected. He served three consecuve terms, from 2013 to 2022. He was chosen as Vice Chairman of the League of Vice Governors of the Philippines, and Naonal Chairman of the Naonal Movement of Young Legislators.AWARDED HONORARYCONGRESSMANOF THE YEARHON. RAMON JOLO B. REVILLA, IIIREPRESENTATIVE, 1ST DISTRICT OF CAVITE23

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In May 2022, Cong. Jolo was elected as Representave of the First District of Cavite. He is currently a member of ten house commiees, two of which, the Commiee on Public Works and Highways and the Special Commiee on Bases Conversion, he serves as Vice Chairperson. As of March 2023, he has already principally authored 127 bills and co-authored 187 bills. The priority legislaons of Cong. Jolo Revilla are related to the commitment to genuinely provide socio-economic transformaon towards inclusivity and sustainability in dierent sectors of society, through the passage of local and naonal bills. Among his signicant measures are recognizing the plight of our barangay ocials and employees in the government local levels, which traces Cong. Jolo’s humble roots when he was Barangay Chairman. To give tribute to the indispensable role of our barangays, he led the Magna Carta for Barangay Ocials and Barangay Health Workers, respecvely. Moreover, he also led the creaon of the posion of Barangay Nutrion Workers in every barangay to reduce the prevalence rate of malnutrion among Filipino children. Further, he also led for the expansion of the Magna Carta for Public School Teachers which provides for the free annual physical health check-up of public school teachers to shoulder their burden of out-of-pocket expenses to access basic and diagnosc tests to ensure their physical and mental health. Likewise, he also led a bill which seeks to upgrade the Kawit Kalayaan Hospital to address the medical needs of the growing populaon of the adjacent localies of Kawit, Noveleta, Rosario, and Cavite City. He also sought for the gender empowerment of women by ling the “Sanitary Leave Act” which allows every female employee to avail a one (1) day of sanitary leave every month with 100% remuneraon from their respecve company. In priorizing the needs of the constuents of the 1st District of Cavite, Cong. Jolo Revilla has also led several measures which promotes the welfare of dierent sectors. He led for the establishment of a mul-species marine hatchery within the 1st District of Cavite to sustain and promote commercial sheries in the district. Likewise, he pushed for the revitalizaon of the salt industry in the country to ensure sustainability and food security. Awarded Honorary Congressman of the Year25

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Moreover, he also pursued for the declaraon of the immediate environs of several churches such as the Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Parish and Saint Mary Magdalene Parish Church as tourism sites to boost local tourism and generate revenues for the local government. Cong. Jolo Revilla also pushed for the promoon and protecon of our skilled workers such as our seafarers abroad by instung the Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers to ensure their decent work and safe working condions at par with internaonal standards. Notably, he also led a bill for the Magna Carta for Public Disaster Risk Reducon and Management Workers to recognize and promote the welfare of our Public DRRM workers by ensuring safe working condions, as well as to improve their physical and psychological well-being from constant exposures to life hazards and dierent types of disasters. Disaster Risk Reducon has also been an important focus of Cong. Jolo as the 1st District of Cavite is highly vulnerable to natural disasters brought about by its geographical locaon, as it is a coastline community, and its topography. As such, he has lobbied for the establishment of ood control projects to lessen or even prevent the eects of typhoons and other coastal natural disasters which disturb the lives of its residents. Through his eorts, a Memorandum of Agreement for a Sisterhood Partnership between the City of Bacoor and the local government units of the 1st District was created. Such Sisterhood Partnership included the expansion of the coverage of Alert 161, an emergency hotline that would be able to respond to the needs of those in crisis situaons due to disasters, crime, and other untoward incidents. This also led to the Disaster Risk and Management Oces of the local government units involved to conduct benchmarking acvies every once in a while to share their disaster risk reducon techniques, assessment on recent natural disasters, and coordinaon for future disasters and crisis. In response to the medical needs of the 1st District, Cong. Jolo has already established mulple health facilies in the 1st District of Cavite since the start of his term – the Mega Rural Health Unit in Rosario; strengthening of the Kalayaan Hospital in Kawit; the establishment of a hospital in Cavite City; and an Inrmary Hospital in Noveleta. These health facilies are also bolstered by the Sisterhood agreement between the local government units in the 1st District and the City of Bacoor wherein such memorandum of agreement provides that residents of the 1st District may be provided assistance by the Southern Tagalog Regional Hospital in Bacoor. To sustain the educaonal necessies of students, Cong. Jolo furthered the “Iskolar ng Bayan” Program, which aims to cover almost 100,000 students from Grades 1 unl 4th Year College in the 1st District of Cavite. To date, the rst set of scholars consisng of college students amounng to around 15,000 students have already received their educaonal assistance. Due to his hands-on approach with the 1st District of Cavite, and his acve parcipaon as a member of the House of Representaves, Cong. Jolo was recognized and awarded as the #1 rated district representave in the Philippines, ed with no less than Her Excellency, former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, with a 95% approval rang from his constuents in a survey made by the RP Mission and Development Foundaon, Inc. Cong. Jolo has embodied the provision that “public oce is a public trust” by answering the call to public service and comming to upli the lives of not just his constuents but that of all Filipinos.Awarded Honorary Congressman of the Year26

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As the First District Representave of the very young province of Zamboanga Sibugay, Congressman Palma has made sure that his legislave agenda shall immediately address the concerns of every single Sibugaynon within his care. Coming out of the gate guns blazing, he swily devised measures of local and naonal signicance with the sole goal of ensuring the dream of improving the quality of life of our cizens shall be made into a reality. Below are a few of the notable measures that he has proposed:RA11934 An Act Requiring The Registraon Of Subscriber Identy Module Cards.RA11935 An Act Postponing The December 2022 Barangay And Sangguniang Kabataan Elecons.HB466 An Act Establishing A Separate Schools Division Oce in the Municipality of Diplahan.HB6585 An Act Creang Six (6) Addional Branches of the Regional Trial Court In The Ninth Judicial Region To Be Staoned In The Municipality of Diplahan, Province of Zamboanga Sibugay.HB3977 An Act Declaring February 24 Of Every Year A Special Non-Working Holiday In The Province Of Zamboanga Sibugay.HB3397 An Act Declaring the Olutanga Island Protected Landscape and Seascape.HB6494 An Act Establishing A Regular Department Of Foreign Aairs Consular Oce In the Municipality of Ipil.HB0001 An Act Providing For Government Financial Instuons Unied Iniaves To Distressed Enterprises For Economic Recovery.HB0004 An Act Providing Protecon To Consumers and Merchants Engaged In Internet Transacons.HB0005 An Act Establishing an On-Site, Near-City, Or O-City Local Government Reselement Program.HB0006 An Act Promong Open Access In Data Transmission.HB1841 An Act Providing Addional Benets To Barangay Health and Nutrion Workers.HB3618 An Act Making the Appointment Of An Environment And Natural Resources Ocer Mandatory In All Provinces, Cies, and Municipalies.HB5543 An Act Increasing The Insurance Benets Of Local Government Ocials And Including The Sangguniang Kabataan Members And Barangay Records Keeper In The Coverage Thereof.HB6159 An Act Ensuring Food Security By Providing For The Mandatory Crop Insurance Coverage To Farmers. HB7065 An Act Providing For The Establishment Of An Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) Resng Lounge In All Airports Chartering Internaonal Flights In The Country.HR543 A Resoluon Urging The House Of Representaves Through The Appropriate Commiee To Conduct An Inquiry, In Aid Of Legislaon, On The Failure Of The Secretaries Of The Execuve Departments In The Filling Up Of Unlled Posions Within Their Respecve Departments.HCR006 Concurrent Resoluon Establishing the Philippine Congress-Bangsamoro Parliament Forum.REPUBLIC ACTS:HOUSE RESOLUTIONS:LOCAL BILLS:NATIONAL BILLS:Awarded Honorary Congressman of the Year29

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NATION BUILDERSFrom being appointed as their Legislave Caretaker in 2020 to being elected as their District Representave in 2022, Congressman Eric Yap indisputably earned the love and trust of the people of Benguet as reected by their unending support to the solon they now deem as one of their own. His landslide victory with 123,801 votes during the 2022 Naonal and Local Elecons signies how his kakailyan in Benguet recognized and valued his dedicaon to serve their beloved province. “Maraming nagawa, maraming natulungan.” - this is how Congressman Yap is known in the province. He has demonstrated a new brand of public service, where in services are directly delivered to the communies. In his rst year in Benguet, he has launched Mobile Tulong, an iniave extending relief and services to his constuents in the province. Today, it has reached thousands of families in all the thirteen (13) Municipalies of Benguet.Notwithstanding the mountainous terrain requiring hours of travel to reach the remotest areas, he persisted to deliver the services of the government to address the immediate needs and perennial concerns of his constuents - from livelihood opportunies to infrastructure development.AWARDED HONORARYCONGRESSMANOF THE YEARHON. ERIC GO YAPREPRESENTATIVE, LONE DISTRICT OF BENGUETSON OF BENGUET31

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FOR OUR KAKAILYANFOR THE FARMERS The lack of infrastructure development has been a challenge for decades in Benguet. Several communies remain to be dicult to reach - with hours of travel and perilous roads to be undertaken to reach them. To address this, Congressman Yap has constantly coordinated with the Naonal Government to request funding for key infrastructure projects for the province, such as Farm to Market Roads, Access Roads leading to Tourist Areas, Road Openings, Flood Control Projects, among others. Aside from this, Congressman Yap also saw the need to improve the social services in the province, in parcular to health. In this regard, he proposed House Bill No. 310 to renaonalize the Benguet General Hospital and to increase its bed capacity. Upon enactment, this shall iniate the proper regulaon of the hospital and the ecient health service delivery, and shall provide for an increased human resource for health. Also, this shall increase the hospital’s bed capacity to four hundred (400) in order to accommodate the growing number of populaon, and also the inux of nonresident paents availing of healthcare services. In addion, he also led House Bill No. 3046 strengthening the An-Hospital Deposit Law by increasing the penal sancons for the violators and by providing a Naonal Hotline which the public may call for immediate assistance and intervenon. While these measures are pending for approval in the Lower House, Congressman Yap has connuously provided medical assistance to his kakailyan in a medical crisis. He also took the iniave to improve the delivery of medical services through the donaon of Emergency Vehicles to each of the Municipality in the province. Provided that Benguet is home to our hardworking farmers striving to provide food in many parts of the country, Congressman Yap expressed his commitment to uphold the rights and welfare of our local farmers and to boost and protect their livelihood. One of the perennial problems the province is facing for many years now is agricultural smuggling. To address this, Congressman Yap has led House Bill No. 319 / 3917 increasing the penalty for large-scale agricultural smuggling and House Resoluon No. 108 urging the House to conduct an inquiry on the connued smuggling of agricultural products into the country despite exisng laws and regulaons. He has also been in close coordinaon with the concerned agencies and organizaons to discuss the measures to hold the violators accountable. He urged that the government le legal cases against consignees of the container shipments with agricultural products believed to be smuggled that were intercepted by the Bureau of Customs the Department of Agriculture (DA). In addion, Congressman Yap also led House Bill No. 316 mandang Government Instuons and Food Service Establishments to purchase the agricultural produce of local farmers or producers for their food preparaon and producon and House Bill No. 3382 mandang the Naonal and Local Governments to purchase the same for relief and school feeding programs. Awarded Honorary Congressman of the Year33

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FOR OUR ELDERLY FOR OUR LOCAL ATHLETES FOR OUR INDIGENTS AND INFORMAL WORKERSGOING ABOVE AND BEYOND FOR BENGUETFOR OUR YOUTH AND EDUCATORS Discerning that the Filipino elderly lack support, Congressman Yap seeks to increase the assistance provided to them by the government through House Bill No. 499 granng addional benets to Filipino Centenarians and recognizing Octogenarians and Nonagenarians and House Bill No. 508 increasing the monthly pension of Senior Cizens. Aside from these policies, he also visited communies and organizaons of the elderly to deliver free vitamins and maintenance medicine throughout the province. To migate the harsh eects of challenging circumstances to his kakailyan, Congressman Yap has allocated funds to various agencies for the provision of nancial assistance to those in need of aid. He iniated to have the applicaon and payout done to every Municipality to make it within the reach of those in far-ung sios and barangays. Congressman Yap also proposed House Bill No. 4191 and House Bill No. 4429 instuonalizing the TUPAD Program of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the AICS Program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), respecvely, to ensure that these programs shall be unceasingly implemented to aid the vulnerable sectors in the country. For Congressman Yap, his love for the province and his kakailyan enables him to go above and beyond. As he connues to serve Benguet, he commits to further the development of the province alongside with the protecon and enrichment of its culture and tradions. His aspiraon for his kakailyan is to be provided with enabling mechanisms that will capacitate them to achieve their dreams for their own and community’s development. While the whole of Benguet have been resilient over the years, Congressman Yap aspires to lessen the instuonal struggles they have to endure for many years. Further, he envisions to create a safe and healthy environment for the present and future generaon. Since his rst term in the province, Congressman Yap has demonstrated his full support to local athletes, including Team Lakay and other teams compeng to Naonal and Internaonal events. Relavely, he led House Bill No. 5160 granng rerement, health care, and death benets to professional Filipino athletes who win World Championship Titles in Internaonal Professional Sports Compeons or in other equally presgious Internaonal Games. As part of his vision to promote sports in the province, he priorized the rehabilitaon of the Wangal Sports Complex, including its Gym and Track Oval. Recently, he also announced the commencement of the construcon of the Aquac Center with a state of the art Olympic-sized swimming pool. Acknowledging the importance of providing opportunies and giving support to the youth for their development, the distribuon of educaonal assistance through the Youth Assistance Program has been consistently implemented by Congressman Yap. More so, to instuonalize educaonal developments, he led House Bill No. 312 / 6704 establishing the College of Medicine in the Benguet State University and House Bill No. 318 establishing TESDA Training and Assessment Centers in the Municipalies of Mankayan, Kibungan, Kabayan, Atok, Itogon, and Tuba. In addion, he also proposed House Bills No. 2318 - 2327 converng various Elementary Schools into Integrated Schools in various barangays in the province. For our educators, Congressman Yap also led several measures to relieve the burden of work they persistently carry. His advocacy is to provide beer working condions and assistance to our educators who serve as the molders of our youth. Some of the measures he led are House Bill No. 456 granng hardship allowance to teachers assigned in remote areas, House Bill No. 3542 providing communicaon and data accessibility and allowance to all basic educaon teachers, and House Bill No. 3543 instuonalizing the grant of monthly teaching supplies allowance for public school teachers.Awarded Honorary Congressman of the Year34

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NATION BUILDERSBagong Tondo, was the bale cry of Cong. Ernesto “Ernix” M. Dionisio, Jr. when he campaigned as Representave of the rst congressional district of Manila. Born and bred in Tondo, his empathy towards the people he lives and interacts with on a daily basis is what sets him apart. This paved the way for him to advocate not only for the beerment and improvement of his district, but more importantly, the people therein. The core of his plaorm is change, where contentment and connuity of Tondo’s current plight is the adversary. In this ght, Cong. Ernix’ simple request to his constuents is to join him as they usher in the higher standard of living they deserve. Cong. Ernix is the son of Manila 1st District Councilor Ernesto G. Dionisio, Sr. who served the district on mulple terms. With his father being an advocate of public service, Cong. Ernix developed the passion to one day serve the district his family calls home. Cong. Ernix graduated from the De La Salle University with a degree in B.S. Markeng Management and went for further studies abroad where he acquired a Master’s Degree in Business Administraon from the University of California, Berkley. Upon his return, he set his eyes on how to ulize his educaon for the benet of the district and eventually became a councilor for the First Congressional District of Manila for three consecuve terms or from the years 2007 to 2016; serving in the 7th, 8th, and 9th Councils thereof.AWARDED HONORARYCONGRESSMANOF THE YEARHON. ERNESTO “ERNIX” M. DIONISIO, JR.DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVE, MANILA, 1ST DISTRICTHOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, QUEZON CITY35

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TONDO’S BRAND OF LEADERSHIP During his term as councilor, he became a member of the Commiee on Civil Service, Appointments, and Reorganizaon; and became Chairman of the Commiee on Engineering and Public Works as well as the Commiee on Laws. Aer serving as councilor, he sought to further his educaon and took up a Master’s Degree in Public Administraon and Governance from the University of Maka. In 2022, he ran for Representave of the 1st District of Manila under the Asenso Manileño party and won the congressional seat. Being a rst-termer in the House of Representaves, he was set to parcipate and bring the brand of leadership that is representave of the people of Tondo to the Lower Chamber of Congress. This is apparent as he took on the role of Assistant Majority Floor Leader despite being a neophyte lawmaker. Cong. Ernix’ snt as a three-termer councilor of Manila as well as being a member and chairperson of dierent commiees therein, imprinted in his mind the need for coordinaon in running an ecient and trustworthy government, as well as the need for eecve policies that will shape the future of his constuents. Thus, for him, membership and acve parcipaon in house commiees are vital. This displays his eagerness in being auned to the needs of the dierent sectors of the Philippine society and ensures that the coordinaon between lawmakers and government agencies eciently delivers the necessary services that will improve the lives of ordinary Filipinos. At present, Cong. Ernix is the Vice Chairperson of three commiees and a member of nine. He serves as the Vice Chairperson in the Commiee on Housing and Urban Development; Commiee on Naonal Defense and Security; and the Commiee on Ways and Means. On the other hand, he acts as a member of the Commiee on Appropriaons; Commiee on Banks and Financial Intermediaries; Commiee on Foreign Aairs; Commiee on Health; Commiee on Human Rights; Commiee on Legislave Franchises; Commiee on Metro Manila Development; Commiee on Trade and Industry; Commiee on Transportaon; and the Commiee on Rules. Awarded Honorary Congressman of the Year36

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TONDO’S CHAMPION As a legislator, his policy-making experience as past councilor of Manila became evident as he created measures that go in line with his vision of providing a beer standard of living for all, especially the marginalized. Thus, as a testament to his dedicaon to public service and to his district, he has led over a hundred House Bills in his rst 100 days, which tackled issues on labor, educaon, health, poverty, and welfare. As a ‘Batang Tondo’, Cong. Ernix knows the hardship of accessing opportunies in the job market. Thus, he pushed for measures that expanded opportunies for employment, such as House Bill 4549 or the “Barangay Professionals and Skilled Workers Act”, which creates a registry of skilled workers in every barangay and allows interested employers to tap their services and experse. He also proposed the expansion of skills training and job opportunies to sectors that need it the most, by ling House Bill 4761 or the “Skills Development for Inmates Act” and House Bill 5429 or the “Ex-Oender Employment Act”, seeking to help the integraon of future and current ex-oenders back into the job market to support themselves and their families. He also proposed incenves for job-seekers to ensure their access to employment prospects through House Bill 4762 or the “Indigent Job Applicant Discount Act”, and House Bill 5468 or the “PWD Jobseekers Allowance Act”. In addressing the increasing poverty incidence in the country, Cong. Ernix proposed House Bill 5489 which instuonalizes the AICS program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development. Being one of the most populated districts in Manila, Cong. Ernix recognizes that Tondo’s populaon will connue to grow in the future. To ensure that future parents and their children in the district are well taken care of, he proposed House Bill 5476 which seeks to improve the maternal and childbirth services in the country by establishing birthing centers and training tradional birth aendants for the benet of expecng mothers. He also sought for the provision of maternity packages for pregnant women from low-income groups in House Bill 5460. As someone who values educaon and sees how a good one can advance someone in life, Cong. Ernix proposed measures to ensure that no maer one’s economic status, access to educaon will not be deprived. He led House Bill 5463 or the “No Permit, No Exam Act” which sought to penalize instuons that impose a no permit, no exam policy on their students. He also led bills providing scholarship opportunies for children of public school teachers and PWDs (House Bill 5443 and House Bill 4433, respecvely), as well as discounts to indigent children when it comes to basic and educaon services (House Bill 5420). Part of Cong. Ernix’ campaign promise is to improve sports amenies and start iniaves wherein the youth can harness their skills in sports. To support and culvate youth athletes, Cong. Ernix proposed House Bill 5190 or the “Youth Athletes Assistance Act” and House Bill 5432 which seeks to strengthen and empower grassroots sports programs. Another focus area for Cong. Ernix during his campaign was for the protecon and promoon of the welfare of senior cizens. Thus, his rst bill in the House of Representaves – House Bill 109 or the “An-Elder Abuse Act” dened and penalized acts constung elderly abuse. In conjuncon with this, he led House Bill 4546, which mandates the establishment of nursing homes for abandoned, neglected, unaached, or homeless seniors. He also proposed measures allowing senior cizens to access employment opportunies (House Bill 5473) and increasing their social pension so as to give them adequate support to purchase their necessies (House Bill 5452). Cong. Ernix also proposed House Bill 5491 for the lifeme validity of passports for senior cizens, providing them the benet of being spared from the renewal process of the same. Awarded Honorary Congressman of the Year37

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Cong. Ernix’ goal as a legislator and as a public servant involves ensuring that social services that were once a luxury for the people of Tondo become basic and readily accessible. Thus, he centers his leadership around how best to upli the marginalized in Tondo and promote the welfare of his constuents. Serving as councilor for the 1st District of Manila since 2007, Cong. Ernix used this experience to cra his vision for Tondo. This is not only apparent in the bills he authored, but also in the projects and programs he organized and implemented for his constuents. In shaping these programs, Cong. Ernix only has one thing in mind – how can he make life comfortable and convenient for the people of Tondo. This thought translates into his dialogues and congregaon with community leaders and constuents almost every day of the week. It became his daily agenda to personally check with constuents, to see if there is any assistance that he can provide. Close partnerships with government agencies have been the avenue of Cong. Ernix in delivering basic services to Tondo. In his rst year as Representave, he launched the Bagong Tondo Wellness Center which caters to constuents in need of medical examinaons and laboratory tests as well as physical therapy services. He also launched the Bagong Tondo Sports Complex to fulll the need of Tondo constuents for up-to-date sports amenies in the hopes that this will promote the health and well-being of the youths and adults alike. For this year, Cong. Ernix is set to launch the Bagong Tondo Hall which hosts dierent receiving areas for accessing government agencies and their services. It is his hope that the Bagong Tondo Hall will help to achieve his goal of delivering government services and much-needed aid to his constuents. Currently, Cong. Ernix is in the process of partnering with dierent government agencies that will shape a new and brighter future for Tondo. To him, Tondo is a microcosm of the country where all walks of life congregate. Thus, the day Tondo realizes its potenal and progress, would be the day the country has clearly aained a future worth living. In an ever-changing social environment, it is fundamental to have a leadership that is adaptable and resilient. Here is where Cong. Ernix comes in – Tondo’s champion and new hope. BAGONG TONDOAwarded Honorary Congressman of the Year38

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NATION BUILDERSAWARDED HONORARYCONGRESSWOMANOF THE YEARHON. JULIENNE “JAM” L. BARONDAREPRESENTATIVES, LONE DISTRICT, ILOILO CITYGUGMA (LOVE) FOR THE ILONGGOSBeing born to public health doctors as parents, Rep. Julienne “Jam” L. Baronda was desned to serve the Ilonggo people. Growing up in a home where poor paents troop to even at an ungodly hour to seek help from either Dr. Urminico Baronda Jr. or Dra. Julie Baronda, she was exposed early to the societal gaps that had to be xed. Coupled with the religious upbringing and educaon, where giving oneself to others was inculcated in her mind, she indeed became a public servant. And one who serves out of pure love for humanity. Desny seemingly prepared her to take on leadership roles, rst, by being elected to student government posions from elementary to college, which made her win awards along the way, and honed further by being a varsity player and a Chief Girl Scout, among other extra-curricular acvies. These came in handy when her foray into public service formally started upon being elected as Sangguniang Kabataan president in 1996 and then as the SK federaon president and ex-ocio member of the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Iloilo City. Her leadership potenal was noced as early as then as she was recognized as an Outstanding SK President (naonal level), Most Outstanding Youth Awardee of the Naonal Youth Commission in 2002, and elected as Naonal Vice President twice of the Naonal Movement of Young Legislators. With her quality of work as the youth’s representave, she was asked by the Ilonggos to run as City Councilor. They elected her for two terms, from 2004 to 2010. She vied for the vice mayoral post but luck was not on her side but her public service connued as Chief Polical Ocer of Sen. Joseph Victor Ejercito.39

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In 2019, she was called back by her people to lead and serve them as their voice in the House of Representaves and handily won despite not being acve in local polics for some eight (8) years. Today, on her second term as the Representave of the Lone District of Iloilo City, Rep. Baronda is deepening her mark in local and naonal polics by craing laws that are either of local or naonal signicance while ensuring that the gaps and challenges in her legislave district are addressed eecvely through infrastructure development or social services and programs from the naonal government agencies. When she ran in 2019, the Ilonggos wanted her to champion and improve the state of their Health, Obra (employment), Peace and Order, and Educaon, or in short HOPE. Embracing these aspiraons, she came up with the slogan that reverberates among the people of Iloilo City even unl today: Gugma Ko, H.O.P.E. Mo! And this got stuck in their consciousness not only because it is easy to recall but due to the fact that it is being delivered and lived by Rep. Baronda unl today. This core advocacy summarized through H.O.P.E. is aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals pursued globally such as Health, Educaon, Peace and Order, Opportunies for All - Job, Poverty Alleviaon, Clean Water and Sanitaon, Gender and Equality, Green Infrastructure, Transparency, and Innovaon. To address the perennial problem of access to hospital care, Rep. Baronda pushed for the increase of hospital bed capacity of the region’s biggest government terary hospital, Western Visayas Medical Center, which is located in Iloilo City. From 425 it was increased to 700 by virtue of Republic Act 11496. Along with the bed increase is the hiring of addional hospital workers and the improvement of equipment and facilies. She is now pursuing to have heart, lung, kidney, and cancer treatments that are available in Metro Manila to be also available in Iloilo City through Western Visayas Medical Center and the West Visayas State University Medical Center.GUGMA KO, H.O.P.E. MOAwarded Honorary Congresswoman of the Year40

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Apart from that, she also championed the passage of Republic Act 18891 creang the Iloilo City Hospital to ensure that the regional center of Western Visayas has enough hospital beds given the reality of lacking hospital beds that was exposed during the COVID pandemic. To be established in collaboraon with the Iloilo City Government led by Mayor Jerry Treñas, it will ensure that the city can cope with the bulk of paents should a new wave of pandemic breaks out. Apart from these landmark laws, her oce has made sure that the indigent Ilonggos are able to avail of life-saving medical procedures such as kidney transplantaon and open heart surgeries in Metro Manila hospitals such as the Naonal Kidney and Transplant Instute, Philippine Heart Center, and UP Philippine General Hospital. By working with DOH and DSWD for the release of assistance, these paents are given another lease of life. Rep. Baronda also facilitates assistance to Ilonggo paents of Western Visayas Medical Center, WVSU Medical Center, and private hospitals to enable these paents to sele their bills. Those who need wheelchairs are also being aended to through the “Zero Wheelchair Need” of Rep. Baronda, where she purchases this assisve device using her private funds or accepts donaons of wheelchairs from kindhearted friends and instuons. The WVMC Sub-Naonal Laboratory was the rst to be accredited as an RT-PCR test center aside from the exisng 5 facilies when the COVID pandemic broke out largely because of her representaon with the DOH. On obra or employment, Rep. Baronda pushed for the passage of the bill for the creaon of the Metro Iloilo Special Economic Zone, which is aimed to ence even foreign investors and would result in economic progress and availability of employment opportunies for the Ilonggos. It passed the House’s scrunity and was favorably approved by the Senate Commiee on Economic Aairs in the previous Congress but did not make it into a law due to lack of me. She is championing it this 19th Congress. At the height of the pandemic, where all sectors were devastated by the quaranne restricons, Rep. Baronda facilitated the release of more than P200-million in nancial assistance that helped the Ilonggos cope with the impact of the global crisis through DOLEs TUPAD, CAMP, and NegoKart, as well as DSWDs Sustainable Livelihood Program and AICS. Prior to the pandemic, her oce also mounted the GUGMA Day Job Fair to help link job seekers with employers. In partnership with DOLE, the TUPAD and GIP programs are sustained unl today that benet thousands of Iloilo City residents. Regarding peace and order, Rep. Baronda takes pride in championing the passage of the proposed Act Instuonalizing An-Drug Abuse Councils in LGUs to help address the drug abuse and narcocs crisis in the 18th Congress. The same measure was led again this 19th Congress as it was passed by the House of Representaves in the previous Congress. Apart from fully supporng the Philippine Naonal Police regional oce and the Iloilo City Police Oce, Rep. Baronda also helped Coast Guard Western Visayas realize its dream of a new regional headquarters in Bo. Obrero which costs P50 million. The same full support goes to the Bureau of Fire Protecon and Bureau of Jail Management and Penology by supporng the infrastructure needs of these agencies as well as through Republic Act 11549 lowering the height requirement of their incoming personnel which she co-authored. Educaon is another core advocacy of Rep. Baronda. In pursuit of this, she ensured that the scholarship program for college students from impoverished families is sustained through the GUGMA Scholarship, USWAG Scholarship, and FMR Gugma Uswag Scholarship, which is in partnership with the Iloilo City Government and Speaker Marn Romualdez. The partnership with TESDA is also sustained through the various NC II accreditaon training programs that beneed hundreds of Ilonggos in nding jobs locally and abroad. To make educaon more accessible to the learners, bills for the conversion of the elementary schools in Barangay Hibao-an and Nabitasan into Hibao-an Integrated School and Nabitasan Integrated School, respecvely, so that secondary educaon can be accessed by students near these schools. Unfortunately these bills did not make it through the Senate in the previous Congress. These are being championed again this present Congress and were already passed by the House on third and nal reading, and were sent to the Senate. These are expected to hurdle the Senate this 19th Congress. Awarded Honorary Congresswoman of the Year41

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During the pandemic where online educaon was resorted to, Rep. Baronda sought the assistance of the Department of Informaon and Communicaon Technology (DICT) for teachers to have laptop computers for them to connue holding classes. Due to this, 300 units of laptop computers were distributed to the teachers of Iloilo City. To improve the quality of educaon, this 19th Congress, a program called “School Heads Academy” was instuted where principals were aorded the opportunity to pursue their graduate studies and post-graduate studies at Iloilo Science and Technology University through a scholarship grant. The construcon of new school buildings in various schools connues, and takes on a new level with the construcon of Centers for Learning in several high schools. Also, a world-class facility for student-athletes to get trained in—the Iloilo City Sports Center—is now being constructed in Jalandoni Memorial Naonal High School in Lapuz District. This will beer the performance of our athletes who will compete in naonal events, and will also pave the way for the honing of the skills of future Ilonggo internaonal champions.GUGMA KO, H.O.P.E. MO This 19th Congress, Rep. Baronda is doubling up her core advocacies by adding Housing, OFW Concerns, Projects for Preparedness, and Environmental Regeneraon. For Housing, she collaborated with the Naonal Housing Authority and the Iloilo City Government for the construcon of the Iloilo City People’s Condominium. This is a mul-level condominium project with 300 units. Apart from this township, she is pushing for more housing projects to help address the 12,000-unit housing need of Iloilo City. The OFW (Overseas Filipino Workers) Welfare advocacy was born due to the experience during the height of the pandemic when the OFWs cannot return home to Iloilo City or y back to their work in foreign countries due to the travel restricons. She was the rst to help these OFWs by arranging chartered ights for them which was later replaced by the sweeper ights of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administraon. Along with other stranded residents of Western Visayas, she also arranged for Navy and Coast Guard vessels to ferry OFWs apart from the chartered and sweeper ights. These iniaves helped more than 5,000 OFWs safely return home or catch their ights abroad to return to their work. Apart from that, she was the rst and only public ocial who helped stranded seafarers get free RT PCR test from the UP Philippine General Hospital at the onset of the pandemic for these to go home in Iloilo City and other towns on Panay Island. Aside from the pieces of legislaon, she currently helps distressed OFWs return home from abroad. Projects for Preparedness as another addional advocacy that she embraced. Given the experience with the COVID pandemic and other calamies, she is transforming mul-purpose buildings into evacuaon structures that are homey so that the people can stay comfortably in these facilies should a re, ooding, earthquake, or any natural disaster strikes that would cause their displacement and evacuaon. These mulpurpose buildings are designed to accommodate barangay oces on the ground level in including provisions for economic enterprises while the second level is designed to be a gym and evacuaon center with kitchen, toilets and other facilies that would make their stay comfortable. The construcon of a sea wall along the coastline of Iloilo City is also being championed to protect the residents as well as the rehabilitaon of the river system of the city to address the perennial ooding that has been aecng the residents and business establishments of the city. Included, too, is the rehabilitaon of the drainage system. These also include environmental rehabilitaon measures. Rep. Baronda has proven her love for the Ilonggos is real. She is bridging the Ilonggos and the naonal government. Through her, they experience the love of their government. She has walked the talk and the walk will be for the long haul. She deserves to be acknowledged for bringing H.O.P.E. into the homes of the people of Iloilo City out of her sheer love for them.H-EALTH1. Republic Act 11496 - WVMC Increase of Hospital Beds2. Republic Act 18891 - Iloilo City Hospital3. Helped Ilonggos undergo life-saving procedures at PHC, NKTI, UP-PGH (Zero Hospital Bill)4. Helped Ilonggos access treatment from WVMC, WVSUMC, other private hospitals5. Zero Wheelchair NeedO-BRA1. Approval on Third and Final Reading - Metro Iloilo Special Economic Zone2. Pandemic assistance thru TUPAD, CAMP, NegoBike, AICS to various sectors, NegoKart, DSWD SLP3. GUGMA Day Job Fair 4. Internship program through DOLE GIPP-EACE & ORDER1. Approval on Third and Final Reading - Instuonalizaon of An-Drug Abuse Councils Bill 2. Building for Coast Guard WV Headquarters3. Infrastructure projects for the PNP Police Regional Oce-6E-DUCATION1. Approval on Third and Final Reading - Nabitasan & Hibao-an Integrated Schools2. School Heads Academy3. School buildings and the Centers for Learning4. 300 units of Laptop Computers5. TESDA scholarships6. FMR Gugma Uswag Scholarship programH-OUSING1. Iloilo City People’s CondominiumO-FW WELFARE1. Sweeper Flights - pandemic2. Repatriaon of distressed OFWs3. Facilitaon of OWWA Livelihood Assistance to Displaced OFWs4. Balik Probinsiya ProgramP-ROJECTS FOR PREPAREDNESS1. Iloilo City Comprehensive Drainage System implementaon2. Rehabilitaon of Rivers and Creeks3. Construcon of the Iloilo City Sea Wall4. Construcon of MPB/Evacuaon Centers5. Barangay Emergency Response VehiclesE-NVIRONMENTAL REGENERATION1. Rehabilitaon of Rivers and Creeks2. Construcon of Sea Wall3. Construcon of the Iloilo City Bike ExpresswayAwarded Honorary Congresswoman of the Year42

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NATION BUILDERSAWARDED HONORARYCONGRESSWOMANOF THE YEARHON. FLORIDA “ATE RIDA” P. ROBESLONE DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVE, CITY OF SAN JOSE DEL MONTECHANGING PERSPECTIVES AND SHIFTING PARADIGMS FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENTChanging perspecves and shiing paradigms are the key points for Congresswoman Florida P. Robes to promote transformaonal change and sutainable development for the Rising City of San Jose del Monte. The Rising City of San Jose del Monte is now seng its name in the Philippine map, and the woman behind this is a devoted mother, an imaginave leader, and a commied public servant. Hon. Florida “Ate Rida” P. Robes, the Lone District Representave of the City of San Jose del Monte, Province of Bulacan, is undeniably one of the reasons behind the success of this Rising City. Upon her assumpon of oce in 2016, Congresswoman Robes shis her life of being a successful businesswoman into a lawmaker. The wife of the City Mayor Arthur B. Robes’ success did not come overnight from being a business-minded individual to a dedicated public servant. “Ate Rida” proves that career changing is not a problem if you really choose your passion and do the things that you love.Congresswoman Rida Robes stands on connuous and life-long learning. A hospitality industry praconer who graduated from St. Paul College in Manila, with the degree of Bachelor of Science in Hotel and Restaurant Management, she went out of her comfort zone and pursued post-graduate studies in presgious university abroad. Despite her hecc schedule as a legislator and servant-leader, Rep. Rida relentlessly pursued master’s degree in Public Administraon Major in Public Personnel Management and Public Policy at the American University. 43

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Also she nished dierent programs and courses like: - Execuve Educaon for “Women and Power” at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government, Boston USA- Execuve trainings on “Leading High Performing Terms Program” at the Michigan Ross School of Business in Hong Kong - “Cambridge High Impact Leadership” by the University of Cambridge Instute for Sustainability Leadership (Online Campus) - “Strategies for Success” at the Dale Carnegie Internaonal in Hong Kong- Dr. Edward De Bono’s “Creave Thinking” under the renowned mental expert Dr. Peter Low in Malaysia- Global Strategic Leadership Course in Wharton University, School of Pennsylvania- “Global Change Agents: Leadership for Social and Economic Renewal,” at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government organized under the Centre for Asia Leadership’s Philippine Emerging Leaders Iniave- Internaonal Relaons and Polical Economy Program at London Schoolof Economics Braving the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, Congresswoman Rida completed the courses such as: - Implemenng Public Policy Online under the Harvard Kennedy School of Government, and Management Development Program- Develop Your Managerial Mindset from the University of Pennsylvania – The Wharton School, Aresty Instute of Execuve Educaon, - Oxford Leading Strategic Projects Programme at the Saїd Business School – University of Oxford. This 2023, she completed the Negoaon Strategies for Success at Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy Execuve Educaon, Naonal University of Singapore.Awarded Honorary Congresswoman of the Year44

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Now on her 3rd term, Congresswoman Rida Robes staunchly pursues her vision of a stronger Philippine Republic and improving public service through commiee chairmanship and membership in the House of Representaves:· Chairperson – Commiee on Good Government and Public Accountability· Vice Chairperson – Commiee on Accounts· Vice Chairperson – Commiee on Housing and Urban Development· Vice Chairperson – Commiee on Public Works and Highways· Member for the Majority – Commiee on Constuonal Amendments· Member for the Majority – Commiee on Creave Industry and Performing Arts· Member for the Majority – Commiee on Energy· Member for the Majority – Commiee on Flagship Programs and Projects· Member for the Majority – Commiee on Foreign Aairs· Member for the Majority – Commiee on Games and Amusements· Member for the Majority – Commiee on Health· Member for the Majority – Commiee on Labor and Employment· Member for the Majority – Commiee on Land Use· Member for the Majority – Commiee on Nuclear Energy· Member for the Majority – Commiee on Poverty Alleviaon· Member for the Majority – Commiee on Social Services· Member for the Majority – Commiee on Transportaon· Member for the Majority – Commiee on Ways and Means· Member for the Majority – Commiee on Welfare of Children Along with the long list of commiees, Congresswoman Robes proved that she is an eecve leader that she is as she was elected as the Senior Vice President of Associaon of Women Legislators Foundaon, Inc. (AWLFI) for the 19th Congress. For the 19th Congress alone, she has authored more than 100 House Bills, and co-authored more than 60 House Bills both of Local and Naonal Importance, including the House Bill no. 6557 An Act Providing for the Magna Carta of Barangay Health Workers which aims to provide an established provision for the benet of the Barangay Health Workers not just in the City of San Jose del Monte, but also naonwide. Some of her signicant bills that she authored and co-authored: - HB 1498 - An Act Establishing the the Use of Ecological Waste-to-Energy Management System, Amending for the purpose Republic Act No. 8749, otherwise known as the Clean Air Act of 1999 and appropriang funds Therefor- HB 2904 An act establishing the Philippine Virology Science and Technology Instute and Appropriang funds Therefor- HB 3045 An act mandang the Instuonalizaon, Development, Training, Organizaon and Administraion of Basic Reseve Ocers’ Training Corps (ROTC) in Grade 11 and 12 in Public and Private Educaonal Instuons, Amending for the Purpose Republic Act No. 7077, otherwise known as the “Cizen Armed Forces of the Philippines Reservist Act” and Appropriang Funds Therefor Known for her program “Alagang Ate Rida”, Congresswoman Florida “Ate Rida” Robes iniated the provision of relief goods and cash assistance to those who have lost their jobs, under the Department of Labor and Employment’s program Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ang Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (DOLE-TUPAD) and for the medical frontliners, teachers, barangay health workers, policemen, barangay tanods, jeepney and tricycle drivers, senior cizens, and garbage collectors to name a few, under the program of Department of Social Welfare and Development’s Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situaon (AICS). She is working with the private sector, governments, civil society, and other partners to build inclusive, resilient, and sustainable city for all San Joseños and she is helping to create compeve economies that provide new kinds of jobs, especially for the urban poor and indigent families.- HB 1505 an Act Instung an Elderly Employment System and Appropriang Funds Therefor- HB 5650 An Act Providing a Magna Carta of Public Disaster Risk and Emergency Responders and Appropriang Funds Therefor- HB 6559 An Act Establishing a Comprehensive and Integrated Flood Prevenon, Control, Defense and Management System for the Province of Bulacan and Appropriang Funds Therefor- HB 1509 An Act Declaring the City of San Jose del Monte in the Province of Bulacan as Human Resource Capital and Appropriang Funds Therefor- HB 1494 An Act Establishing an Elderly Care and Nursing Complex in the City of San Jose del Monte in Bulacan and Appropriang Funds Therefor- HB 4412 An Act Establishing an Inclusive Learning Resource Center of Learners with Disabilies (ILRC) in the City of San Jose del Monte, Bulacan to be created in the former Department of Educaon (DEPED) Schools Division Oce (SDO) in Barangay Poblacion, City of San Jose del Monte, Bulacan to be known as the City of San Jose del Monte ILRC and Appropriang Funds ThereforSOCIAL SERVICES WITHIN REACHAwarded Honorary Congresswoman of the Year45

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PRIORITIZING UNIVERSAL HEALTH CAREENVIRONMENTAL POLICY ADVOCATEALAGANG ATE RIDA It has been Congresswoman Robes’ trademark to value the health of her constuents, may it be physical health or mental health. Health needs to be within reach of everyone and mental health is as important as physical health. She authored the House Bill 2383 or An Act Establishing a Mental Health Clinic in The City of San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan. Congresswoman Robes is also the Principal Author for the House Bill 1497 or An Act Declaring the Last Week of August as Naonal Youth Mental Health Week as a support to every Filipino Youth who is struggling with their mental health. True enough that Congresswoman Robes rmly supports the promoon of mental wellness of every Filipinos, especially the San Joseños. As a mental health advocate, she was also chosen as the Ambassador of the Sunfull Internet Peace Movement, an internaonal organizaon based in South Korea, to promote eorts against bullying especially in every schools. The compassion to help the San Joseños drives “Ate Rida” to launch the “Alagang Ate Rida” program that provides immediate response to the health, educaon, employment and livelihood, and other concerns of the residents of the City of San Jose del Monte. Aside from her connuing projects such as the “Tindahan ni Maria” that aims to provide extra capital for small business owners to sustain their sari-sari stores aected by the global phenomenon, and “Kusina ni Ate Rida” a project similar to “soup kitchen” providing nourishment to those families deeply aected by the devastang eects of the pandemic, a new project was born now that the students are back in school as the face-to-face classes are now in place. The new projects under the Alagang Ate Rida program were “Alagang Groovy” that distributes Hair Clippers, Hair Curling Irons, and Hair Blowers to salon and barbershop owners. On the other hand, the “Bonggang Kalusugan at Nutrisyong Sarap” launches a wing van that roams in every schools around the city to provide nutrious foods and vitamins to every students. Along with these eorts and projects, several Medical Missions were also launched in every parts of the city to provide free access to medical consultaon, chest x-ray, PhilHealth Proling, Surgical Screening and Assessment, and distribuon of medicines. Medical equipment such as sphygmomanometers and wheelchairs are also provided to the in need San Joseños. Aside from her eorts in “Alagang Ate Rida”, Congresswoman Robes also strives to improve the quality of life of every San Joseños through infrastructure projects. Under the Build, Build, Build program of the Naonal Government, the “Ate ng Bayan” were able to construct Barangay Halls, Mul-Purpose Buildings, Farm to Market Roads, Bridges, Health Centers, Admin Buildings, Covered Courts, Day Care Centers, School Buildings, a poron of the City Hospital, City College of San Jose del Monte’s Auditorium and Criminology Building, Grandstand at the City Oval and City Sports Complex, the world class City Convenon Center, The Rising City Hotel, and the St. Bernadee Mul-specialty and Primary Care Health Facility. In addion, this 2023 Congresswoman Rida launched a women empowerment organizaon called KLIK (Kilusan at Lakas ng mga Inatanging Kababaihan) to hear those voices of women unsung heroes and celebrate the art and power of femininity. The Congresswoman is also an Environmental Policy Advocate. She spared no stone unturned, in her eorts through her hard infrastructure projects like slope protecon, drainages and other similar projects, she safeguards the City’s natural environment and maintain ecological balance to assure sustainable economic growth that considers the needs of future generaons of San Joseños. She launched a mul-sectoral program consisng of projects in transport, water, energy, agriculture, livelihoods, and social protecon to connect the city to naonal and global markets. She also responded to the urgent need of the city to smulate sustainable, inclusive economic growth in those lagging lands and urban spaces. Moreover, she is also showcasing some of the innovave knowledge and transformave acons that have proven to help end extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity in the city. It is evident that improving the quality of life of every San Joseño is the utmost priority of Congresswoman Florida P. Robes as a lawmaker. The remarkable leader that she is, touching and giving importance to every sector in the city, no doubt that the City of San Jose del Monte did come a very long way because of the eorts and the hard work of Congresswoman Florida “Ate Rida” P. Robes.Awarded Honorary Congresswoman of the Year46

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NATION BUILDERSAWARDED HONORARYCONGRESSWOMANOF THE YEARHON. MARJORIE ANN A. TEODORODISTRICT REPRESENTATIVEMARIKINA CITY, 1ST DISTRICTFor her years of unwavering dedicaon to the welfare and progress of Marikina City, it was inevitable that Marikenyos would clamor and elect her as their representave in the naonal public oce, as Congresswoman Marjorie Ann “Maan” A. Teodoro.” Today, she stands strong as Ina ng Marikina and as a Member of the 19th Congress, ensuring signicant legislave impact on both her beloved city and country. PILLAR OF THE 19TH CONGRESS She may be a rst-me Congresswoman, but for many years Marikina’s First Lady and spouse of Mayor Marcy Teodoro has been acvely serving her fellow Marikenyos. This vast experience in public service earned recognion from the legislature, and Congress elected her as their Assistant Majority Leader under the leadership of House Speaker Ferdinand Marn Romualdez. She also leads as Vice-Chairperson of the House Commiee on Metro Manila Development, the House Commiee on Government Reorganizaon, and the House Commiee on Persons with Disabilies. Her dedicaon to women’s rights gained the complete trust of the Associaon of Women Legislators Foundaon, Inc. (AWFLI) and elected her as an ocer of the 86-strong lady lawmakers associaon dedicated to advancing laws on empowering and safeguarding the rights of women.47

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MARIKINA ICON OF PUBLIC SERVICE Cong. Maan has been leading in the background and supporng her husband in his mayoral dues. The lawmaker’s signicant contribuons did not go unnoced by Marikenyos, who endearingly called her “Nanay Maan” because of her sincere compassion for their welfare. A passionate and competent leader, she built a strong reputaon in public service, pung her in the foreground as a rm pillar of Marikina’s local government. The city has earned various accolades for good governance awarded by both naonal and internaonal agencies. She was instrumental in aaining these achievements during her post as Chief of Sta of Marikina’s Mayor. With its world-class air quality and ecient waste management program, the Associaon of East Asian Naons (ASEAN) awarded Marikina City the presgious Environmentally Sustainable Cies Award. Marikina was also the proud recipient of the “Most Improved Local Government Unit Award” from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) for its economic compeveness. The Marikina LGU’s eciency in leading ease of operaons gained the Department of Interior and Local government’s (DILG) seal of “Excellence in Governance,” pung Marikina on the map as a model city. Marikina City earned an undisputed reputaon for its exceponal enforcement of COVID-19 response in the country. This was due to the successful operaon of the Marikina Molecular Diagnosc Laboratory, which assuaged Marikenyos’ fears regarding spreading the virus. The provision of free tesng, the systemac and consistent vaccinaon of cizens, and steadfast enforcement of health protocols were part of Mayor Marcy and Cong Maan’s unparalleled health service to the city throughout the COVID-19 crisis. This laudable health crisis response, the high vaccinaon rate, and the provision of a “gold standard” of health facilies were rightly recognized by the Department of Health (DOH). Awarded Honorary Congresswoman of the Year48

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STRONG ADVOCACY FOR EDUCATION Prior to her elecon to public oce, Cong. Maan’s passion was in the academe. She was a Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Marikina faculty member and her alma mater, the University of Santo Tomas. Aside from honing young hearts and minds during her years in the academe, she constantly meets and coordinates with public school teachers to hear their concerns and goals. Upon taking her seat as Congresswoman, she remains in one mind with public school teachers and consistently works to fulll her steadfast commitment to improving educaon not just in Marikina but the whole country. As an acve member of both the House Commiee on Basic Educaon and Culture and the House Commiee on Higher and Technical Educaon, she has consistently priorized bills addressing the needs of teachers and students. These bills instuonalize various addional benets for public school teachers, such as capability-building opportunies and aid for their families during emergency cases. Currently, Cong. Maan has forwarded the “Scholarship Grants to Public School Teacher Act,” “Teaching Supplies Allowance Act of 2022,” and “Funeral Privileges to Public School Teachers Act of 2022,” all aiming to provide support to teachers such as giving scholarship grants, increase teaching allowances, and providing funeral and memorial assistance during a teacher’s me of need. As a former educator, Cong. Maan considers the quality of learning spaces as equally important to the quality of materials taught in school. Seeing the need for more learning spaces, she aims to develop Aklatan Marikina into a conducive learning environment open to all students. Consistent with this advocacy, the lawmaker also devotes her me to developing Marikina’s Public Library, the Aklatan Marikina. It has undergone renovaons and received addions to its shelves through Cong. Maan’s iniaves. She hopes more students will ock to the library even aer school to enjoy me well spent with books.Her commitment to the cause of both students and teachers is deeply rooted in her convicon that “Educaon serves as the main driver for our country’s progress.” Cong. Maan envisions a strengthened healthcare system with fully capable facilies to provide comprehensive care, especially for the elderly who grow vulnerable to illnesses. Her sincere compassion for the welfare of senior cizens prompted her to author and forward the measure, “The Geriatric Health Act,” and “Long-term Care for Senior Cizens Act of 2022.” She also recognizes the importance of instung research centers that will be tasked to conduct extensive studies pernent to vaccine producon and advanced health treatments. As a reecon of her vision, she also authored the “Virology and Vaccine Instute of the Philippines (VIP) Act,” and “The Philippine Centers for Disease Prevenon and Control (CDC) Act.”FOR HEALTH AND SENIOR CITIZENSAwarded Honorary Congresswoman of the Year49

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A WOMAN FOR WOMENPROTECTOR OF MARIKINA’SHERITAGE ECONOMY As a female leader, Cong. Maan is a staunch advocate of women’s empowerment, an-violence, and gender inclusivity. She is resolute that these are crucial components to building equitable policies and programs for all. Social media advancement has been a double-edged sword, and the solon found this has created a hosle environment for social media users, especially women. This pressing issue movated her to push for the E-VAWC Act, a measure aiming to create a safe digital space which allows women to freely express themselves without threats from oenders. The “Expanded Violence Against Women and Children (E-VAWC) Act” is one of her principally authored bills that protect women from violence inicted in the digital sphere. As a member of the House Commiee on Women and Gender Equality, Cong. Maan vows to oversee the fruion of the law, which idenes and clearly denes electronic violence against women and penalizes oenders found to ulize any data-driven means. She strongly advocates for women’s health through the Buns Congress program, which Cong. Maan has connued to implement since the beginning of her term last year. The program ensures the safety and well-being of mothers in Marikina by assisng them during their pregnancies. It has immensely helped many women, especially those who lack the nancial capability to pay for costly hospital procedures. The program provides beneciaries free laboratory screening, pre-natal and post-natal care, and nancial aid for hospital expenses during childbirth. Known as the “Shoe Capital of the Philippines,” shoemaking is a signicant part of Marikina’s heritage and industry. With shoemaking as the primary source of livelihood for many Marikenyos, Cong. Maan is commied to keeping this heritage alive in honor of their founders and the hardworking shoemakers promong the cra. To foster the industry’s growth, she pushed for the city ordinance granng tax exempons and discounts to businesses in leather goods manufacturing. She is also working towards permanently waiving any fees for shoemakers parcipang in all city shoe bazaars to help alleviate their expenses. As a visionary leader, Cong. Maan values the signicance of collaboraon with leather goods manufacturers and works with them to bolster the business and promoon of Marikina’s local products. This fruiul partnership led to the creaon of a bag-making facility complete with updated tools and technology. Students and entrepreneurs alike are encouraged to ulize the facility to upskill and culvate their knowledge in the cra. One would oen see her in the streets of Marikina among people from all walks of life. Cong. Maan carries with her the value of tulong-tulong, making it the heart of all her iniaves. This sense of togetherness is embodied by the solon herself by dialoguing with community ocials and residents, taking their needs for infrastructure and social service assistance to heart. Her sincere compassion for Marikenyos has touched the lives of many and earned her the moniker “Ina ng Marikina.” With Cong. Maan as a hands-on community leader for many years, with the passion and experse to transform Marikina for the beer and compassion in her heart to connue serving her fellow Marikenyos, the House of Representaves now has in its rank a visionary leader who serves both the constuents of her beloved Marikina and our country the Philippines with motherly love—a condently beauful, visionary leader with a heart.INA NG MARIKINAAwarded Honorary Congresswoman of the Year50

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ATTY. MIGS BACKGROUND She took her AB Management Economics course at the Ateneo de Manila University aer which she connued for her degrees in BA Polical Science and BA Economics at Fordham University, College of Lincoln Center (New York, USA). It was at the University of Oxford Summer Law and Business School in the United Kingdom that Migs took up courses in Internaonal Criminal Law, European Business Law, and Economic Law, European Corporate Law, and Intellectual Property Rights. She added courses on Internaonal Deals and Internaonal Negoaon when she joined the University of San Diego Internaonal Students Study Abroad Program which qualied her to aend classes at the King’s College Dickson Poon School of Law in London. She also took up courses on Internaonal Intellectual Property Law and Comparave Law for the University of San Diego Internaonal Students Study Abroad Program Law and Business Summer Program. She aended classes at Columbia University Global Center, Reid Hall, Paris, France. The bright young lady is also armed with a double degree in Juris Doctor and Master of Business Administraon from the De La Salle University and Far Eastern University Consorum where she graduated as Valedictorian (Gold Medal for Academic Excellence). Asked if what she’ll become had she not run for oce in May 2022, she said she’ll sll be doing what she’s concurrently doing as a Congresswoman. “I’d sll be a lawyer, an arbitrator, a law professor, and a businesswoman. These are things that I have always aspired to be since I was young and really worked on these things and planned it all out ever since I was a child. I guess I was lucky enough to really know my passion at a very young age and I was able to build on that with every step of my educaon,” she said. It’s not impossible to do and, as women living during this modern era, we have to work together, upli each other,and push each other to survive and help the Filipino people,” Ay Migs emphasized. On leading, the young lawmaker said giving out “tough love” is her way to help her team develop growth and progress. A leader, she said, should also be self-aware, eecve communicator, focused, knows how to delegate; and grateful. “Grit is an important trait I believe I carry as I never stop unl I get the work done; and I always work hard to get others to believe in the work that I do, encourage collaboraon, and also appeal to those with dierent points of views,” she said.Awarded Honorary Congresswoman of the Year54

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NATION BUILDERSAWARDED HONORARYCONGRESSWOMANOF THE YEARHON. SHERNEE A. TAN-TAMBUTREPRESENTATIVE, KUSUG TAUSUG PARTY LISTIn the face of adversity, one’s strength is essenal in remaining even-keeled, resilient, and resolute. These are the key traits that Shernee A. Tan-Tambut strives to live up to in serving as a legislator worthy of represenng her fellow Tausugs as she serves as the Kusug Tausug Partylist’s representave. “Kusug,” which stands for “strength” in the Tausug language, is the centerpiece of Rep. Shernee Tan-Tambut’s journey throughout her tenure as lawmaker and public servant. Hailing from the province of Sulu, Rep. Tan-Tambut is a Chinese Muslim who began with a keen eye for public service, which is most likely due to her family background, as she comes from a family consisng of public servants. Their inuences early on has culvated a sense of integrity, dedicaon, and strength in that she vows to serve as a leader who represents the Tausug culture and their place in society. Fierce, upstart, and passionate, Rep. Tan-Tambut serves as the representave of the Kusug Tausug Partylist since the 17th Congress. As early as 2016, she constantly pushed for the partylist’s agenda of providing livelihood training and opportunies to Tausugs in pursuit of sustainable development. However, the strategic archipelagic geography of Sulu has caught the aenon of various threats that hold the consistent development of the region hostage. Thus, Rep. Tan-Tambut has fought restlessly to aid the region in more ways than one in hopes of sustaining the long-awaited development of the region which, in the grand scheme of things, would help form able, determined, and producve cizens of the country. This long-me struggle has been the focal point of what Rep. Tan-Tambut aims to resolve head-on as she connues her term in the 19th Congress and sets her sights on making laws focused on educaon, religious welfare, assistance to men, women, and children alike, and government benets.55

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ADVOCATING FOR ISLAM AND PROGRESSIVE DEVELOPMENTPROVIDING ASSISTANCECOMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP AND HOUSE BILLS/LAWS As a Muslim, Rep. Tan-Tambut sought to assist her fellow followers by passing a bill that would allow for the allotment of at least two (2) places of worship or prayer rooms in areas such as government buildings, military camps, hospitals, privately-owned malls, and other big establishments. Rep. Tan-Tambut proudly advocates the Tausug culture through the promoon of food, tourism, and texle. She has been a key player in the promoon of the Pis Siyabit, a nave handwoven fabric of the Tausug people and grabs any opportunity in promong this to the public eye. LAWS PASSED• Republic Act No. 11466 An Act Modifying the Salary Schedule for Civilian Government Personnel and Authorizing the Grant of Addional Benets, and for Other Purposes17TH CONGRESSVice Chairperson• Appropriaons• Peace, Reconciliaon and UnityMember• Agriculture and Food• Aquaculture and Fisheries Resources• Higher and Technical Educaon• Housing and Urban Development• Indigenous Cultural Communies and Indigenous Peoples• Mindanao Aairs• Muslim Aairs• People Parcipaon• Public Works and Highways• Youth and Sports Development18TH CONGRESSChairperson• Globalizaon and WTOVice Chairperson• Poverty AlleviaonMember• Economic Aairs• Foreign Aairs• Muslim Aairs• Trade and Industry• Transportaon• Women and Gender Equality19TH CONGRESSChairperson• Peace, Reconciliaon and UnityVice Chairperson• East Asean Growth Area• Welfare of ChildrenMember• Aquaculture and Fisheries Resources• Civil Service and Professional Regulaon• Flagship Programs and Projects• Jusce• Local Government• Muslim Aairs• Persons with Disabilies• Poverty Alleviaon• Public Works and Highways• Surage and Electoral Reforms• Transportaon Rep. Tan-Tambut ensures that she is able to assist in any shape or form to provide security and safety to men, women, and children alike. She has assisted various barangays by providing relief goods in response to emergencies such as res, typhoons, and over the course of the COVID-19 outbreak. In addion, she provided assistance in securing locally stranded individuals as well as returning overseas Filipino workers in mes of need.Awarded Honorary Congresswoman of the Year57

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NOTABLE BILLSBILLS AUTHORED17th Congress• HB02687 – An Act Increasing the Honorarium and Christmas Bonus of Barangay Ocials, including Barangay Tanods and Members of the Lupon ng Tagapamayapa, and Granng a Lump Sum Gratuity Pay Equivalent to One Hundred Thousand Pesos (P100,000.00), and Other Non-Monetary Benets, Amending for the Purpose Secon 393 of Republic Act No. 7160, as amended, otherwise known as the Local Government Code Of 1991• HB02688 – An Act Instuonalizing the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) to Reduce Poverty and Promote Human Capital Development and Appropriang Funds Therefor (Substuted by HB07773)• HB02689 – An Act Granng Barangay Health Workers (BHWs) a Monthly Honorarium, in Addion to Incenves and Benets, Amending for the Purpose Secon 6 of Republic Act No. 7883, otherwise known as the Barangay Health Workers Benets and Incenves Act of 1995• HB02690 – An Act Establishing a Drug Treatment and Rehabilitaon Center in Every Province and Appropriang Funds Therefor• HB03427 – An Act Establishing a Free College Educaon Program in State Colleges and Universies in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) (Substuted by HB05633)• HB05523 – An Act Prohibing Discriminaon on the Basis of Religious Aliaon or Belief and Providing Penales Therefor (Substuted by HB08673)• HB03987 – An Act Increasing the Bed Capacity of the Sulu Provincial Hospital in the Municipality of Jolo, Province of Sulu and Appropriang Funds Therefor• HB03987 – An Act Establishing a Satellite Oce of the Naonal Bureau of Invesgaon (NBI) in the Municipality of Maimbung, Province of Sulu and Appropriang Funds Therefor• HB05524 – An Act Upgrading the Salary Grade of Public School Teachers and Non-Teaching Personnel from Salary Grade 11 to Salary Grade 18, and From Salary Grade 1 to Salary Grade 9 Respecvely, and Appropriang Funds Therefor• HB06054 – An Act Increasing the Rates of Combat Duty Pay and Combat Incenve Pay of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Uniformed Personnel of the Philippine Naonal Police (PNP) and Appropriang Funds Therefor• HB06055 – An Act Granng Hazard Pay to Teachers and Government Employees Assigned in Conict Areas and Appropriang Funds Therefor18th Congress• HB05020 – An Act Providing for the Magna Carta for Barangays• HB07043 – An Act Mandang the Allotment of at Least Two (2) Places of Worship or Prayer Rooms in Every Government Building, Military Camp, Hospital, and Privately-Owned Mall, Factory, Hospital, and Other Big Business Establishment and Providing Penales Therefor• HB03158 – An Act Increasing the Rates of Combat Duty Pay and Combat Incenve Pay of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Uniformed Personnel of the Philippine Naonal Police (PNP) and Appropriang Funds Therefor 19th Congress• HB00005 – An Act Establishing an On-Site, In-City, Near-City, or O-City Local Government Reselement Program for Informal Seler Families in accordance with a People’s Plan and Mandang the Implemenng Local Government Unit, Jointly with the Department of Human Selements and Urban Development, in cases of Near-City or O-City Reselement, to provide Other Basic Services and Livelihood Components in Favor of the Recipient Local Government Unit, amending for the purpose Republic Act No. 7279, as amended, otherwise known as the “Urban Development and Housing Act of 1992”• HB00707 – An Act Converng The Sulu State College In The Municipality Of Jolo, Province Of Sulu Into A State University To Be Known As The Sulu State University And Appropriang Funds Therefor• HB05693 – An Act Declaring The First Day Of February Of Every Year As Naonal Hijab Day And Promong An Understanding Of The Muslim Tradion Of Wearing A Hijab • HB06444 – An Act Regulang The Use Of Treatment Technology For Municipal And Hazardous Wastes, Repealing For The Purpose Secon 20 Of Republic Act No. 8749, Entled “The Philippine Clean Air Act Of 1999”• HB06518 – An Act Creang The Health Emergency Auxiliary Reinforcement Team Under The Department Of Health And Appropriang Funds Therefor• HB06522 – An Act Creang The Philippine Centers For Disease Prevenon And Control, Dening Their Powers And Funcons And Appropriang Funds Therefor• HB06572 – An Act Establishing The Public Schools Of The Future In Technology And Appropriang Funds Therefor• HB06883 – An Act Promong Inclusive And Sustainable Producvity Growth, Repealing For The Purpose Republic Act No. 6971, Otherwise Known As The Producvity Incenves Act Of 1990• HB06718 – An Act Providing Protecon And Incenves To Freelance Workers• HB07354 – An Act Establishing Evacuaon Centers In Every City And Municipality, And Appropriang Funds Therefor• HB07371 – An Act Providing For Free Legal Assistance To Any Ocer Or Uniformed Personnel Of The AFP, BFP, BJMP, PCG, and PNP For Administrave, Civil Or Criminal Cases Filed Against Them Before Any Court, Quasi-Judicial Or Any Administrave Agencies By Reason Or In Connecon With The Performance Of Their Oce Or Funcons And Appropriang Funds Therefor• HB07408 – An Act Establishing Provincial Hospital For The Ocer Or Uniformed Personnel Of The AFP, BFP, BJMP, PCG, And PNP And Appropriang Funds Therefor• HB07794 – An Act Granng Barangay Health Workers (Bhws) A Monthly Honorarium, In Addion To Incenves And Benets, Amending For The Purpose Secon 6 Of Republic Act No. 7883 Otherwise Known As The Barangay Health Workers Benets And Incenves Act Of 1995• HB07797 – An Act Mandang The Allotment Of At Least Two (2) Places Of Worship Or Prayer Rooms In Every Government Building, Military Camp, Hospital, And Privately-Owned Mall, Factory, Hospital, And Other Big Business Establishment And Providing Penales ThereforAwarded Honorary Congresswoman of the Year58

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NATION BUILDERSGovernor Edwin I. Jubahib possesses the rare gi of being able to connect with the masses that many contemporary policians simply do not have. “Kuya Gov”, as he is fondly called, commands the admiraon, fondness and respect of his people because of his down-to-earthness, honesty, humility, simplicity, and generosity. His humble beginnings enabled him to have a true grasp of the plight of the destute, marginalized and vulnerable. As a polical neophyte, Jubahib broke through the greatest upset in the gubernatorial elecon in 2019, pulling out a landslide victory of his whole local party slate. His unprecedented feat dismantled the local oligarchy, who has reigned over the province for about four decades. The new governor did not disappoint. He pursued genuine change with seless devoon. He broke new grounds and vigorously explored possibilies in local governance, giving preferenal aenon to the poor and vulnerable. He relessly frequented the barangays, especially the far-ung areas, to personally meet with and discuss the concerns of residents. Recognizing his sincere eort, the people gave him an overwhelming new mandate in the 2022 elecons to serve for another three years. Gov. Jubahib built on the many successes of his rst term in expanding his strategy, which is now called KUYA GOB NG MASA development agenda. This is spelled as Knowledge management, educaon and Sports; Universal health and social services; Yield growth in agriculture and environmental sustainability; Adequate infrastructure and facilies; Greater livelihood and income opportunies; Operaonal peace and development framework; Broad-based economic growth and investments; Nurturing society; Gender-responsive development; Mulmodal ulity network; Access to nancial services and nancial inclusion; Sustainable tourism; and, Absorpve capacity development.AWARDED HONORARYGOVERNOROF THE YEARHON. EDWIN I. JUBAHIBPROVINCE OF DAVAO DEL NORTE, MINDANAOREVOLUTIONIZING FRONTLINES OF GOVERNMENT SERVICES59

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LIBERATING HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICESINCREASING INFRASTRUCTURE NETWORKENSURING FOOD SECURITYAND ECONOMIC GROWTH The governor’s Zero-Billing Program in government hospitals beneed around 80,000 paents with over P80 million worth of funds disbursed from the Malasakit Program of the Oce of the President and other sources. He even shelled out millions worth of medicines from his own personal pocket when procurement procedures for medicine supplies of the provincial hospitals were stalled. In ensuring the Dabaonon children’s right to survival, the province signicantly reduced maternal death from 129.32 percent per 100,000 livebirths in 2019 to 54.50 percent in 2021. The malnutrion rate of the province also decreased from 3.45 percent in 2019 to 2.65 percent in 2021.To protect his people during the pandemic, Governor Jubahib launched the DavNor COVID-19 Informaon Management System (DCIMS), which bagged the Best in Government Covid-19 Pandemic Response Award. It was bolstered by the governor’s “No QR Code, No Transacon” policy in all public oces and business establishments. The province spent over a billion for its pandemic response and recovery eorts. The governor put up over 1,200 isolaon rooms and helped facilitate the establishment of the COVID-19 Tesng Center in the province. He personally led three rounds of relief distribuon worth around half a billion pesos right at the doorsteps of over 370,000 Dabaonon families in 223 barangays. Davao del Norte posted the highest vaccinaon rate in the Davao Region, with over 80 percent of the populaon inoculated with the rst dose of the an-COVID vaccine, along with 79 percent vaccinated with the second dose as of September 2022 alone. Davao del Norte was also chosen as the sole pilot province in the Davao Region for the government’s Balik Probinsya, Bagong Pag-asa (BP2) Program, where beneciary families were given cast, transportaon, shelter, and livelihood assistance package. From 2020 to 2022, the Crisis Intervenon Unit of the Province spent a total of P45.8 million in providing assistance to 47,983 individuals in dire emergency situaons, such as medical, nancial, burial, physical restoraon, shelter, food and transportaon assistance. Aside from providing relief assistance to hundreds of thousands of families aected by calamies, the province also sent 322 tons of food packs and relief goods in the amount of P15 million for the vicms of Typhoon Odee in Caraga Region and the Visayas. It also aorded P4-million nancial assistance to the vicms of earthquake in Davao del Sur and North Cotabato in 2020. To forfy Davao del Norte’s prominence as a “healing eld”, Gov. Jubahib put up the Balay Silangan Reformaon Center (BSRC) at the Provincial Capitol to serve as a refuge for reforming drug oenders into self-sucient and law-abiding members of society. He also established the Davao del Norte Teen Tambayan Hub, as the rst one in the Davao Region in strengthening the Adolescent Health and Program of the Province, complemenng 23 other Teen Tambayan Centers around the province. Over P130 million was earmarked for the Special Educaon Fund to support basic educaon, Alternave Learning System (ALS), Provincial Madrasah Literacy Program, Local School Board, sports programs, and school buildings and facilies, among others. During the governor’s rst term, 30 new school buildings were put up, while 12 were repaired, totaling to over 200 classrooms. This includes new schools for IP children with 76 classrooms. The province also facilitated the distribuon of farm machineries and equipment worth around P200 million and other inputs from the Department of Agriculture. Amid challenges, the province achieved over 80 percent rice suciency level. More than 20,000 farmers beneed from various assistance such as free seeds and seedlines, ferlizers, technology transfer and other aids for the over 40,000 hectares of farmlands in the province. In his rst term, Gov. Jubahib completed 1,246 projects amounng to P4.25 billion. He set aside polics in compleng a dozen stalled projects started by the previous administraon worth about P1 billion, of which some have even started yet in 2014. This is to make sure that precious government money would not be put to waste. The governor launched the Oplan Canal program to eecvely address the perennial ooding in the province, by widening and deepening drainage canals and desilng rivers and tributaries. Major ooding has since minimized, saving the province hundreds of millions of pesos in damages to crops and properes, while easing the burden of tens of thousands of families aected by annual inundaons. Gov. Jubahib sustained the DavNor KAAGAPAY Program (KAwsa sa AGrikulturA ug PAnginabuhian sa barangaY), which he launched in 2020 to prevent hunger and social unrest that might result from the impending food crisis due to the pandemic. The program has now beneed more than 15,000 Dabaonon families. Backyard and communal vegetable farming gave farmers a combined income of over P64 million. Over 90,000 heads of organic chicken were also dispersed, enabling 825 People’s Organizaons (POs) to accrue a total income of more than P15 million. Through the Buy-Back Operaon, the Province connues to buy and market the produce of the beneciary families. Vulnerable families further received livelihood assistance from the KAAGAPAY-TUPAD program. The governor’s Rice-Buying Program has alleviated the plight of small rice farmers, who have long suered from very low farmgate prices. The province has also helped banana farmers aected by Fusarium Wilt to convert their farms into other high-value crops, such as sorghum, corn and cardava banana. With its strong disaster risk management and climate-change adaptability program, Davao del Norte clinched the 2022 highest “Beyond Compliant” award during the 22nd Gawad Kalasag Seal for Excellence in Disaster Risk Reducon and Management (DRRM) and Humanitarian Assistance for the Local DRRM Councils and Oces. Through the Davao del Norte Credit Surety Fund (DNCSF), the province facilitated the release of collateral-free loans worth about P300 million to over 47 cooperaves. The governor’s scal reforms succeeded in aracng more investors. Despite the pandemic, the province accommodated over 25,000 new business registrants which poured in over P4.5 billion worth of fresh investments during the rst term of the governor.Awarded Honorary Governor of the Year61

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In building up access and more opportunies for the poor, since 2019 the province opened up dozens of new roads in isolated Indigenous People (IP) communies to beer facilitate basic services and ease the transport of their produce to the market. To restore their human dignity, over 400 tribal housing projects were built, with the province providing vital counterpart to funds coming from the naonal government. Six distant tribal sios were provided with solar lighng and electricaon. Some 76 classrooms, four tribal halls, 11 water systems and one community health staon were also constructed in the cultural villages, complete with more livelihood services to improve the income of the IPs. Governor Jubahib also vigorously rallied the Dabaonon people into supporng Congressional legislave measures that support the entry of a reliable power supplier in Davao del Norte to solve the perennial problem of frequent brown outs, high power rates and poor electric services of Nordeco, which has been holding back the economic development of the province. These were followed by three Adlaw sa Kalinaw Peace Caravans during the pandemic held in isolated tribal sios in Talaingod in vigorously pursuing the local peace process. Beer delivery of basic services greatly improved the quality of life of the IPs. Tribesmen who were easily recruited by the communist rebels and long subjected to their exploitaon, decepon and manipulaon. The improved delivery of services enced many NPA combatants and their mass base to return to the folds of the government. To date, there are already more than 3,000 NPA combatants and Milia ng Bayan members who surrendered to Governor Jubahib. Majority of them come from other provinces, who were enced by the FRs’ tesmonies of the governor’s generosity in welcoming the rebels. Since 2019, more than 600 FRs in the province received close to P30 million nancial in Enhanced Comprehensive Integraon Program (E-CLIP) assistance. Davao del Norte is among the very few provinces in the country that provide localized E-CLIP to FRs to help them start a new life. Upon their surrender, the Gov. Jubahib right there and then provides them cash, shelter and livelihood assistance. This act of kindness of governor in welcoming rebels, lured more rebels to surrender in Davao del Norte. The governor established the Balay Panaghiusa Halfway House to facilitate the deradicalizaon program for the FRs and prepare their reintegraon into the mainstream of society. For over two years, the facility has already provided 75 FRs with psychosocial, healing and reconciliaon intervenons, livelihood trainings and the likes. Gov. Jubahib shelled out over P10 million to start the tribal housing project for the lost tribe of Sio Tapayanon, which was totally isolated and deprived of government services for over ve decades since their old place was used by the CPP-NPA as their run-to ‘hideout’. The governor helped coordinate the delivery of essenal government services to their former obscure village by military helicopters, before nding a suitable and more accessible relocaon site in Sio Mondol, Barangay Gupitan, Kapalong Town. The governor’s peace eorts have transformed the former strongholds of communist terrorism into tourism sites. Tourism acvies started to ourish in the naturally-beauful highlands of Talaingod and Kapalong, with the help of Gov. Jubahib’s P200-million Provincial Eco-Tourism Development Program. Various awards and recognions that lent credence to the no-nonsense, honest-to-goodness leadership of Gov. Jubahib include, among others, the 2019 and 2022 Seals of Good Local Governance (SGLG), 2019 Most Business-Friendly (MBF) Province in the Philippines; 2022 Gawad Kalasag ‘Beyond Compliant’ Seal of Excellence in Disaster Risk Reducon and Management and Humanitarian Assistance; Overall 2nd Most Compeve Province in the Philippines in 2020 and 2021; and, consequently the Most Compeve Province in the Visayas and Mindanao Region in 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022, among other recognions. Jubahib further clinched the “8th Top Performing Governor” tle among the 81 governors in the country in 2022, based on the independent survey of the RP-Mission and Development Foundaon Inc. (RPMD). Governor Jubahib’s kindness, generosity and hard work is more than just fullling his avowed mandate to serve the best interest of his people.It blossomed from his passion, compassion and personal convicon to protect and improve the lot of the disadvantaged and vulnerable sectors. The Dabaonons cherish him for what he has become: from being an ordinary person into becoming the best governor who is working hard in alleviang his people and in bringing Davao del Norte into its zenith of success. Even before former President Rodrigo Duterte’s issued Execuve Order No. 70, Governor Jubahib has already earned a special niche in the local peace process. While sll a private cizen, Gov. Jubahib brokered the surrender of inuenal rebel leader Datu Guibang Apoga in June 2018, aer waging a rebellion for three decades. Kuya Gov was with former 1003rd Brigade Commander Ernesto Torres Jr., who is now the Execuve Director of the Naonal Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conict (NTF-ELCAC). With the governor’s special focus on peacebuilding as an essenal underpinning of sustainable development, Davao del Norte blazed the trail in pursuing local peace engagement to end the local communist armed conict. Through his Execuve Order No. 2, s. 2019, Davao del Norte was among the rst provinces in the country to localize Duterte’s EO 70. The governor’s hard work paid o when Davao del Norte was the rst province in the Davao Region to be declared in 2022 as an “Insurgency-Free Province”, ready for further development. More than 80,000 families from far-ung barangays beneed from the deluge of government services during the roll out of about two dozens of Oplan TABANG Service Caravans. Services include free health and social services, such as medical check-up, dental care, eye care, x-ray, minor operaons, circumcision, and the likes, legal services, haircut, feeding program, hygiene kits, and distribuon of high value crops seeds and seedlings, among many others. The GIDAs communies were priorized to facilitate fruiul dialogues with local NPA units and their mass base and sympathizers.TOWERING SUCCESS IN WINNING THE PEACEAwarded Honorary Governor of the Year62

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NATION BUILDERSThe Provincial Government of Capiz renders services to all Capisnons in gradually alleviang the dicules and hardships that they face in daily basis. Such services may be in providing livelihood, aiding nancial support and most notably, undertaking infrastructure projects that have long term benets for the local communies. Gov. Castro has keen understanding and perspecve towards the infrastructure sector of the province. It is with the vision of the Governor to improve the lives of Capisnons in any way he can. As the father of the province, it is imminent to his nature to help and address the needs of the people. One of his steps towards this goal is priorizing investments in infrastructure. He iniated various infrastructure projects to develop the province as a whole. With adequate road networks come with beer connecvity between the people, with sucient healthcare facilies result to healthy community and with adapve and resilient buildings ensure safety and security. Since Gov. Castro started his service for the Province of Capiz last July 2022, the province has started to carry out more or less 50 kilometers of road projects. These road projects are comprised of various road rehabilitaons, new opening of roads and ongoing road concreng of both Provincial Roads and Farm-to-Market Roads which are expected to be nished this 2023. Construcng these roads will enable faster and more convenient transportaon, facilitate the smooth and rapid transport of agricultural goods from, increase accessibility to educaon and healthcare services, and ensure unhindered rescue and relief operaons. In addion, these roads will provide access to various eco-tourism sites. Also, Governor Castro envisions sustainable healthcare infrastructure, reliable health facilies, and well-equipped healthcare spaces to ensure beer healthcare services for every Capisnon. Having one (1) Provincial Hospital and four (4) District Hospitals within the province is a great help and privilege for all Capisnons.AWARDED HONORARYGOVERNOROF THE YEARHON. FREDENIL H. CASTROPROVINCE OF CAPIZ63

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“Kabuhi mo gugma ko, ika-ayong lawas mo kalipay ko” Priorizing the lives, health, and well-being of every single constuent: these words from the Governor are the very foundaon of his banner. In 2022, it was expected that several diseases such as Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), Dengue, and Monkey Pox Virus among others will cause an outbreak. Through his proacve leadership, a direconal meeng was conducted with various partners and stakeholders which led to the rst Province-wide Health Forum, in which he visited 17 Local Government Units (LGUs). He presented his plans and direcons towards the above-menoned dreaded diseases and the Universal Health Care (UHC) implementaon. This resulted to increased health awareness among the public which prevented the outbreak of diseases. Since medical and dental services were temporarily suspended during the pandemic, Governor Castro directed the resumpon of the medical and dental outreach with the strategy of Reaching Every Barangay. This has led to the availability of medical and dental services among his constuents which they were deprived amidst the pandemic. In addion, he led the barangay to barangay Mobile COVID-19 Vaccinaon through acve parcipaon of the Capiz Provincial Health Oce achieving 96.89% of the target populaon, and currently has Zero Conrmed COVID-19 Acve Case in the Province based on the Department of Health Western Visayas Center for Health Development. In recognion of the eorts of the Healthcare Workers, Barangay Health Workers (BHWs), Barangay Nutrion Scholars (BNS), and Barangay Service Point Ocers, Governor Castro increased their incenves amounng to Php 20 to 35 million.It is expected that illnesses and injuries may not be prevented. Treatment and health management are needed to respond to these situaons. Thus, around Php 700 million from the general fund and Php 66 million from his 20% development fund have been allocated for enhancing the healthcare facilies in the ve government hospitals. These improvements brought more opportunies to the vulnerable sector to avail quality health services for free in all government hospitals under his administraon. With these accomplishments, he acknowledges support and commitment of the Capisnons towards the Provincial Government in achieving opmal health for the Province of Capiz!HEALTHAwarded Honorary Governor of the Year64

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EMPLOYMENTDISASTER RISK REDUCTION AND MANAGEMENTOne of the priories of Governor Castro’s administraon is poverty alleviaon. One of the idened ways to aain this aspiraon is through employment generaon, provision of emergency employment for the workers in the informal sector, and implementaon of youth employment bridging programs. This, can only be done, according to Governor Castro, by strengthening the employment facility of the Provincial Government. Barely ten months in oce, the Provincial Government has already implemented 10 Job Fairs in 10 dierent Local Government Units. These job fairs were parcipated by 118 employers that brought 22,223 job vacancies for both local and overseas employment. The same have provided employment to 110 hired-on-the-spot applicants. It is expected that the administraon will be implemenng more job fairs in dierent LGUs so that employment opportunies will be made available to the grassroots. The food packs were distributed to aected families, including those living in hard-to-reach areas, in just four days. The distribuon of food packs has helped ease the burden of those aected by the storm and provided them with essenal supplies to sustain their daily needs.In addion, the PDRRMO has also provided red de assistance for a total of 6,714 families on municipalies with coastal barangays:Pilar – 941 familiesIvisan – 707 familiesPanay – 2008 familiesRoxas City – 1258 familiesSapian – 1042 families Pontevedra – 163 familiesPresident Roxas – 595 families Red de is a natural phenomenon caused by the rapid growth of microscopic algae. The algae produce toxins that can be harmful to marine life and humans. Governor Castro, through the PDRRRMO, has implemented measures to migate the eects of red de on coastal communies, such as providing assistance to aected shermen and monitoring the quality of seafood products sold in local markets. Moreover, Governor Castro has priorized the transfer and transport of paents needing medical care and aenon. He has established a system that enables quick and ecient transfer of paents to medical facilies during emergencies through the Capiz Emergency Response Team (CERT). This system has helped ensure that paents receive mely and appropriate medical aenon, reducing the risk of complicaons or even fatalies. The CERT has also played a crical role in search and rescue operaons during calamies. He has organized and coordinated rescue teams to assist those who are stranded or trapped during oods or landslides. These rescue operaons have been crucial in saving lives and minimizing the damage caused by natural calamies. In response to the connued challenges brought about by the pandemic to the livelihood of the workers from the informal sector, the Provincial Government under his administraon has provided emergency employment to more than 9,000 Capisnons who were recipient of a total of Php 57.5 million in cash through the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ang Disadvantaged/ Displaced Workers or TUPAD Program. Similarly, through the Government Internship Program or GIP, the Provincial Government was able to provide a 66-day government internship to 358 fresh college graduates, whose employment opportunies are most aected by the pandemic, giving them the opportunity to join government service. Governor Fredenil H. Castro has achieved noteworthy accomplishments in disaster risk reducon and management within the Province of Capiz. The Provincial Disaster Risk Reducon and Management Oce (PDRRMO) has accomplished and implemented various measures to address the needs of the communies aected by natural calamies, including Tropical Storm Paeng. During Tropical Storm Paeng, the PDRRMO, under the leadership of Governor Castro, spearheaded the distribuon of more than 14,000 food packs to 16 municipalies in the Province of Capiz. Governor Fredenil H. Castro has also strengthened es with partner agencies and shareholders, namely the Oce of Civil Defense Region VI and the member agencies of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reducon and Management Council. Through projects aimed at progress, including the revising of the mul-million-peso project proposal on the Panay River Basin, and the dredging iniaves to municipalies along the Panay River Basin that are mostly aected by oods. Finally, the PDRRMO under Governor Castro has given much focus and support to training programs for local government units on the four pillars of disaster risk reducon and management. These pillars include prevenon, preparedness, response, and recovery.Awarded Honorary Governor of the Year65

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SOCIAL WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT Governor Castro is an epitome of a leader who has genuine empathy and concern for the Capisnons, parcularly for those who are less fortunate or underprivileged. His well-known slogan “SA GUGMA KAG ANGGA NI CASTRO MAY YUHOM KAG BALATYGAON” speaks volumes of his commitment to serve with love and compassion. He provides nancial assistance through the Aid to Individual in Crisis Situaon (AICS) program of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Oce (PSWDO), as a gap step to support the recovery of individuals and families from unexpected crisis such as illness or death of a family member, and other unexpected life events or crisis. Individuals or families who seek nancial help are assured that they are provided the kind of assistance that they need immediately. A Cafeteria was established to make clients comfortable while queueing/waing for their turn. A total of Php67,579,560.00 nancial assistance was provided to 11,830 individuals from July to December, 2022 and Php34,008,865.00 provided to 5,040 individuals from January to March, 2023. To address the mobility problem of Persons with Disabilies (PWDs) and Senior Cizens, Governor “Oto” Castro through the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Oce also distributed assisve device (wheelchair) to 67 (50 adult and 17 pedia) Persons with Disabilies (PWDs) and 50 wheelchairs and 85 quad canes to Senior Cizens. This project aims to help Persons with Disabilies (PWDs) grow their self-condence and be able to parcipate in family and community acvies and likewise, have the opportunity for an employment that would help overcome poverty situaon. Aside from its beauful places, the province prides itself for its heritage dishes and nave delicacies, aributable to the indigenous knowledge and skills of the Capisnons in preparing food in the table. Recognizing these natural and human resources as important sources of the province’s wealth, Governor Castro has iniated programs and devised mechanisms in order to comply in his obligaon to protect and safeguard these God-given resources, with the end goal of not only increased awareness and appreciaon of its people but also to enable others, such as tourists and visitors to enjoy these tourism assets, taste the result of the locals’ ability to prepare food and feel the warmth of the people. Seeing Sustainable Tourism as an engine for economic growth and development, Governor Castro priorized the conduct of trainings to the frontliners employed in the tourism-related establishments and other stakeholders which capacitated them in providing excellent customer service such as the training and seminar on food handling and presentaon, and training on processing, packaging, labelling and markeng of dried sh. He has acvely promoted “Street food” and “Night market” as ancillary aracon to enrich tourist experience. It has also supported the implementaon of Instute of Living Tradions which capacitated individuals coming from various sectors such as Capisnon women, out-of-school youths, Indigenous Peoples Group, Persons with Disabilies, Senior Cizens among many others. The trainings under the Instute of Living Tradions aorded the parcipants access to technical educaon and economic opportunies for sustainable livelihoods. The Province of Capiz is blessed with God-given natural resources with its diverse ecosystem; prisne waterfalls, magnicent caves, verdant forest and rich agricultural areas. Top it with its rich heritage and culture and the allure of the indigenous peoples. TOURISMAwarded Honorary Governor of the Year66

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NATION BUILDERSRamon Vicente Hernandez Bausta or more commonly known as “Ram Revilla” is a 24-year-old, youngest son of Senator Bong Revilla Jr. and Congw. Lani Mercado-Revilla of the 2nd District of the Province of Cavite. His two older brothers are Cong. Bryan Revilla of Agimat Partylist and 1st District Representave of the Province of Cavite, Cong. Ramon “Jolo” Revilla III and a brother to three sisters: Ay. Inah Bausta-Del Rosario, successful businesswoman Gianna Bausta-Patricio and future Dr. Loudee Bausta. Thus, he comes from a family of outstanding and disnguished public servants and a loving family established by the family Patriarch, the late former Senator Ramon B. Revilla Sr. his idol grandfather. BM Ram completed his primary educaon at The Learning Child School and his secondary educaon at De Lasalle Sanago Zobel. He earned his college diploma from the Hult Internaonal Business School in San Francisco, California, USA Major in Business Administraon and also nished the Introductory Course on Excellence in Local Legislaon (iExceLL) at UP-NCPAG and studied Execuve Educaon for Young Legislators at Naonal University of Singapore: Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy. Like most of his closest family members, he is desned to become a polical gure. Growing up he was exposed to the various acvies and missions of his parents and brother public servant, Cong. Jolo, thus he also developed a heart to help and serve others. As he grew up, he became a compassionate and loving soul to everyone. AWARDED HONORARYBOARD MEMBEROF THE YEAR67HON. RAMON VICENTE “RAM REVILLA” M. BAUTISTANATIONAL PRESIDENT, PROVINCIAL BOARD MEMBERS LEAGUE OF THE PHILIPPINES BOARD MEMBER-CAVITE

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At a tender age of twenty-four (24) years old and a polical novice, he was elected as the number one (1) Provincial Board Member in the lone district of the City of Bacoor. He was nominated and unanimously elected as the Chairman on the Commiee of Peace, Public Safety and Order of the 11th Congress of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Cavite which is a reminiscence of his then Governor-Father Ramon Bong Revilla, Jr., who under his administraon turned the province from the “Murder Capital of the Philippines” to one of the most peaceful provinces of the country that led to his chairmanship of the Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC). He was chosen to be a commiee member on seven vital commiees, namely: (1) Cooperaves & Development, (2) Educaon, (3) Ethics, (4) Land Use, Zoning, Urban Development & Housing, (5) Social Services, Family, Women, Children & Elderly, (6) Sports and Youth Development and (7) Tourism, Arts, Culture and Public Informaon. He gained the trust and condence of his colleagues despite his young age, due to his inherent intelligence, diligence, willingness to learn and accept criques and cricism. Two of his most ardent legislave agendas that he proposed during the Execuve & Legislave Agenda (ELA) CY 2022-2025 of the Province of Cavite; are the (1) “Peace, Public Safety and Order Code of the Province of Cavite” and (2) “An Ordinance Instung a Provincial Feeding Program for Undernourished Children in Public Daycare and Pre-elementary to Combat Hunger and Undernutrion among Children and Appropriang Funds, thereof”.Awarded Honorary Board Member of the Year68

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In addion, he is the main author of a provincial law on curfew ordinance entled “An Ordinance Seng Curfew Hours in the Province of Cavite for Minors from 10:00 pm to 4:00 am, Providing Penales for Parent/Guardian, for Violaons Thereof and for Other Purposes”. These top local priority policies of BM Ram on peace and order and addressing the alarming malnutrion concerns during the early years of our youth in the province are already in the commiee level. Further as the youngest member of the Sanggunian and a sports enthusiast and athlete himself, one of his legislave priories is recognizing home-grown local talents who have excelled and been awarded in their respecve sports eld. As such his Sanggunian Resoluon “Recognizing and Commending the Outstanding Performance of Professional Body Builder Joven M. Sagabain for Winning The 2022 Muscle Contest Philippines/Internaonal Federaon of Body Building and Fitness (IFBB) PRO League Men’s Physique Naonal Compeons”. On the naonal level, he ran and won unopposed as the Naonal President of the Provincial Board Members League of the Philippines (PBMLP) last February 28, 2023 at the Manila Hotel where the 31st Naonal Convenon and Elecon of Ocers of the PBMLP with his enre family in aendance. This was the highlight and validaon of the trust and condence of his fellow public servants in the Revilla leadership brand and to BM Ram Revilla himself, who has shown his dedicaon and brand of service among his fellow board members during his term as the Interim Vice President for Luzon, prior to his elecon as the Naonal President of the PBMLP. Only a few months into his Naonal Presidency, he has already established a unied Naonal Execuve Board (NEB) and delivered more than a million-peso worth of medical assistance to his fellow board members’ constuency. He started to work on several priority agendas namely, the capacity development partnership with University of the Philippines Naonal College of Public Administraon and Governance (UP-NCPAG), Naonal University of Singapore (NUS) Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy; in consonance to the capability building of his members.Awarded Honorary Board Member of the Year69

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“As Naonal President of PBMLP, I envision the provincial board members of government to build a community that is safe, prosperous, and inclusive for all. We envision a society where every cizen has access to quality educaon, healthcare, and other essenal services, and where businesses thrive in a supporve and conducive environment. We strive to create a government that is responsive to the needs of its cizens, respects diversity and inclusivity, and fosters a sense of belonging and civic engagement. Our ulmate goal is to leave a posive and lasng legacy for future generaons.” As for his legacy, Board Member Ram Revilla Bausta longs to become an environmental champion through an execuve and legislave policy making partnership with the University of the Philippines Research Instute (UPRI) and Local Climate Change Adaptaon for Development (LLCAD). The youngest and energec member of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Cavite, Board Member Ram Revilla Bausta prides himself with his work and regards for others embodying his polical tagline “Responsible at Akbong Maglilingkod Para sa Bayan” (RAM Para sa Bayan or RAM for the country). As a young man in his career as public ocial, he has already shown disncon and eagerness in his service to the people of Cavite and to his confederaon at PBMLP. Indeed, the true mirror of the Revilla brand of public service.Awarded Honorary Board Member of the Year70

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NATION BUILDERSBoard Member Dr. Maria Krista Asensta Piñol-Solis is the eldest daughter of former Agriculture Secretary and MINDA Chairman Emmanuel “Manny” F. Piñol. She is the rst woman in their clan to enter polics, following in the footsteps of her grandfather, father and ve uncles, who also served in the province of North Cotabato as vice governor, vice mayor, board member, councilor and congressman. Her priories geared towards health programs such as free medical and surgical missions, donaons of face masks, disinfectants and alcohols to barangay and hospital frontliners, and donaon of water, tents, rice and medicines to earthquake-aected constuents. During the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown, she iniated “Free Tele-Online Medical Check-Up” for all paents via Facebook and other social media plaorm, catering even those paents from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanaoans outside North Cotabato. Upon interview, she sent the paents free electronic prescripons, laboratory requests and other recommendaons. BM Dr. Krista’s experience in the medical eld as a physician and registered nurse, made her a member of the SP Commiee on Health and Sanitaon.AWARDED HONORARYBOARD MEMBEROF THE YEARHON. MARIA KRISTA A. PIÑOL-SOLIS, R.N., M.D.BOARD MEMBER, PROVINCE OF COTABATO“KALUSUGAN AT AGRIKULTURA NI BOARD MEMBER DOC KRISTA”THE PIÑOL LEGACYHEALTH (KALUSUGAN)71

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GENDER EQUALITY AND YOUTH EMPOWERMENT (KABABAIHAN AT KABATAAN)EDUCATION AND PUBLIC ACCESS TO INFORMATION (EDUKASYON AT KOMUNIKASYON)SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES AND ORGANIZATIONS (KATUTUBO AT KABUHAYAN)PEACE, ORDER AND PUBLIC SAFETY (KAPAYAPAAN AT KALIGTASAN) BM Dr. Krista joined the Bayi, Inc.’s Angat Bayi Polical Fellowship Program Batch 4 for women leaders who advocate gender equality and feminist leadership, and became a mentor to Young BARMM women leaders and a speaker supporng An-Street Harassment Week organized also by UP Center for Women and Gender Studies. Not only is she a member of SP Commiee on Youth and Sports, but also considered an Ally of the LGBTQIA assisng the LGBT Chamber of Commerce in assessing the North Cotabato LGUs preparedness for a gender inclusive type of governance. At the same me, BM Dr. Krista was also accepted to join the Young Leaders for Good Governance Fellowship Program Batch 5 (YLGG5) for incumbent young legislators by the Jesse M. Robredo Foundaon (JMRF) and the polical party of Kapunan ng Nagkakaisang Pilipino (KNP), which welcomes fresh and innovave young leaders towards a transformave polics that is inclusive and benecial for all Filipinos. Aside from serving the people as an elected ocial, BM Dr. Krista also serves the country by joining the Armed Forces of the Philippines Reserve Command (AFPRESCOM) and funconing as a Medical Corps reservist during the vaccinaon of AFP uniformed personnels, and giving lectures to CAFGU Acve Auxillary personnels who needed informaon on the benets of the COVID-19 vaccine. As a Vice-Chair of SP Commiee on Environment and Disaster Management and as a former medical ocer trained in Incident Command System and medical Rescue, she saw the importance of Basic First Aid and CPR and subsequently trained her sta to be able to respond to medical emergencies at home and in their communies. Last February 23, 2023, BM Dr. Krista, presented a project proposal entled, “Community-Based Training on the Idencaon and Use of Medicinal Plants and Preparaon into Herbal Decocon, Syrup, Soap, Ointment, Herbal Oil and Herbal Rub for Personal and Family Use or as a Livelihood Project for Indigenous People Communies at the Conference-Workshop on Indigenous Languages and the Sustainable Development Goals at University of the Philippines Visayas in Ilo-Ilo City, which was organized by the UNESCO, USAID, TEBTEBBA, TALAYTAYAN, ABC+, DepEd and WHO-UN in an eort to carry out the Global Acon Plan and the 2023 Agenda. In addion, she also coordinated with DILG-NBOO, DOH-PITAHC, UP Instute of Health, Instute of Herbal Medicine and IP communies regarding this project to help preserve Indigenous Knowledge System and Pracces (IKSP) and help provide livelihood opportunies for the non and low income earners in far-ung barangays. While teaching part-me at USM College of Medicine, BM Dr. Krista also made it a point to educate her constuents about current news and public aairs especially related to health and agriculture. She reaches out by radio program, textblast informaon disseminaon and yer distribuon at checkpoints and crowded locaons. During the implementaon of R.A. 11934, BM Dr. Krista coordinated with the LGUs, NTC, Globe, Smart and DITO Telecom to put up “Free SIM Registraon Assistance” booths in far-ung barangays to help those who have diculty doing self-registraon online or by QR codes, for senior cizens, for those with keypad phones, and in locaons with limited cellphone and internet signal.Awarded Honorary Board Member of the Year73

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FEATURED ORDINANCES: FEATURED RESOLUTIONS:- No. 2020-656: “Providing Measures for the Containment of African Swine Fever (ASF) in the Province of Cotabato and for other Purposes.- No. 2019-033: The Revised Rabies, Prevenon, Control and Eradicaon Ordinance of Cotabato Province, Repealing Ordinance No. 88 series of 1996, and for other Purposes- No. 2020-025: Creang the Cotabato Environment Management Oce (CEMO) and Providing for its Tasks, Funcons, Personnel and Appropriaon thereof and for other Purposes- No. 2023-136: Encouraging All Fellow Public Servants, Government Ocials and Private Companies to Conduct Free SIM Registraon Assistance in their Areas of Responsibilies before the deadline on April 26, 2023.- No. 2020-785: Support to Amend Proclamaon No. 486 and to Declare Every Year on 29th day of October, a non-working holiday as Naonal Thanksgiving Day for the Indigenous Cultural Communies (ICCs) to give due Recognion and Aenon to the Importance of this day among the Indigenous Peoples (IPs)- No. 2021-1110: Granng Financial Assistance to Hog Raisers whose Hogs were Aected due to African Swine Fever (ASF).- No. 2021-186: Adopng the Philippine Avian Inuenza Protecon Program Manual of Procedures (AIPP-MOP) 2020 and Memorandum Circular No. 5 by the Department of Agriculture for the Prevenon and Control of Highly Pathogenic Avian Inuenza (HPAI) in the country- No. 2020-784: Encouraging the LGUs of the Province of Cotabato, to Strengthen their Local Environment and Natural Resources Oce (ENRO) and to Look into the Increasing Flooding Incidents in the Province, the Emergence of Snakes and the Occurrences of Snake-Bite Related Deaths- No. 2019-618: “Requesng the Philippine Senate through the Hon. Senator Cynthia A. Villar, to priorize the passage and enactment of the Professional Agriculturists (PA) Act, House Bill No. 7246, entled, ‘An Act Regulang the Pracce of Agriculture Profession in the Philippines, creang for the purpose a Professional Regulatory Board for Agriculturist and Appropriang funds.’”- No. 2019-617: “Requesng the Philippine Senate through Hon. Senator Cynthia A. Villar, to priorize the passage of House Bill No. 6329, known as the ‘Magna Carta of Agricultural Development Workers (ADWs) to address underemployment in the Agricultural sector.No. 2020-765: “Encouraging Senate Commiee Chair on Environment, Senator Cynthia A. Villar, Basic Educaon Commiee Chair Senator Win Gatchalian, and Higher Educaon Commiee Chair Senator Joel Villanueva, to priorize and pass House Bill No. 8728, a.k.a. ‘Graduaon Legacy for the Environment Act’ requiring all elementary, high school, and college students to plant atleast 10 trees before graduang, which will serve as their living legacy to the environment and to the future generaon of Filipinos, and will address the increasing incidence of ooding, ash oods and landslide nowadays brought about by heavy rains and typhoons.”- No. 2020-764: Encouraging Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, to priorize and pass House Bill No. 7153 or the Philippine E-Health Systems and Services Act and House Bill No. 4577 or the Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Act, which would instuonalize telemedicine consultaons, whether non-urgent or emergent pre-hospital sengs, amidst the community quaranne of COVID-19 pandemic and in preparaon for the new normal community quaranne protocols.- No. 2020-644: Requesng the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Secretary Fortunato dela Peña, through Region XII Ocer-in-Charge Director Engr. Mahmud L. Kingking, to include the municipalies in the Province of North Cotabato in the Implementaon of their project entled, “Roll-Out of RxBOX 1000 Telehealth Devices in Selected Rural Health Centers in the Philippines.”Awarded Honorary Board Member of the Year74

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NATION BUILDERSUnselshness and resilience are two disnct traits that dene young Cebuano businessman and polician (a public servant to be precise) Glenn Anthony Ocampo Soco, popularly known simply as Glenn Soco of Mandaue City.Notwithstanding his being a scion of a family with humble beginnings, Glenn Soco’s rise to prominence was propelled by these personal traits to become his own man, exceponally good, in two plaorms of human endeavor: business and public service. His life of youth has been, unbelievably, a narrave of struggle, self-sacrice, and self-determinaon. He would oen narrate how he would walk 5 kilometers a day from his school to his residence to save money on transportaon. As a young boy, he would oen go with his parents vising their business clients as he witnessed the hardships that they have to go through to be able to provide a decent life for their family – his parent’s being a proverbial “rags-to-riches” story. Besides his being a brilliant guy, Glenn Soco is a combinaon of the typical boy-next-door image and the 6-foot 1 campus-hunk persona. Yet, he was oblivious to all these impressions; his mind was full of bigger dreams in business and his heart was replete with concerns for others, inclined to public service. Aer graduang with an Industrial Engineering degree at the University of San Carlos, Glenn sent applicaon leers with resumes to as many employers as possible then, like his fellow graduates, kept his ngers crossed for good luck to come his way. Aer having a short snt on employment, he later then decided to focus his skills and energy in helping the family business, which he later realized as one bigger challenge for him to prove his mele. AWARDED HONORARYBOARD MEMBEROF THE YEARHON. GLENN ANTHONY OCAMPO SOCOBOARD MEMBER, PROVINCE OF CEBUBEING HIS OWN MAN IN BUSINESS, POLITICSPOST-COLLEGE AND BUSINESS75

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Glenn---the eldest son of four children of Guillermo Soco and Adelina Ocampo---had his bapsm of re in business at the age of 21 when he decided to steer the family business instead of employment with other companies. In 1995, Glenn “re-engineered” the family business, Mandaue Integrated Janitorial Services, renamed it into Mandaue Integrated Manpower Services (MIMS), and expanded its services to cater to a broader spectrum of clientele. He then started a human resource soluons company, Powerline Human Resource Management, Inc.. He professionalized these companies, implemented new systems and technology, intensied markeng, enhanced the brand. Moreover, Glenn dely diversied the family business into other ventures such as cinema operaons, food and restaurant, books distribuon, and even rural banking (PR Bank, formerly Rural Bank of Argao). Under his stewardship, Glenn managed more than 8,000 employees who were directly and indirectly reporng to him assigned in his dierent companies, oces and clients spread althrough-out the country. Glenn said his MCCI presidency was in consonance with his passion for public service, as he implemented various programs to help budding entrepreneurs and collaboraons with government stakeholders in addressing grassroots and pressing concerns that would aect the economic development in the city and the Province. He instuted the “M Awards,” which acknowledged achievement of entrepreneurs, outstanding products and places, while he expanded sister-chamber relaons with Bacolod, Camarines, Minglanilla, Consolacion, and Liloan. During the administraon of President Rodrigo Duterte, Soco sat as a private sector representave to the Regional Development Council 7 and was elected to head the Infrastructure Development Commiee where he acvely parcipated in the infrastructure planning of the region. Glenn became instrumental for the inclusion of key infrastructure projects for Cebu under the “Build, Build, Build” program of the previous administraon like the Metro Cebu Expressway Project, a 73 kilometer alternave highway which will cut travel from north to south of Cebu by half. His business peers, even competors, know about what kind of a businessman Glenn was. In 2016, they elected him president of the Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI), the h and the youngest ever since it was revived in 2004. Glenn, who surprisingly took side jobs as news anchor of a local TV staon, became MCCI president with his advocacy of promong the advancement of the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), which he said comprised the majority of businesses in Mandaue City, which are even chamber members. MCCI, at the me of Glenn’s presidency, had nearly 300 members, which he targeted to increase within his term. He also carried out a working partnership between the organizaon and the Mandaue City LGU to tackle problems such as trac and planning concerns.PRIVATE SECTOR LIFEAwarded Honorary Board Member of the Year76

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Glenn at an earlier age also became acve in a several civic organizaons like the Rotary movement where he became charter president of the Rotary Club of Cebu Business District, a club he co-founded together with other civic-minded individuals.He helped organize the Cebu Volleyball Associaon (CEVA) and became its long-standing president as his way of giving back to the sport he once played. His leadership in CEVA has brought about remarkable successes to the organizaon and volleyball as a whole for the enre Province. Eventually, the successful engineer-businessman Glenn married Krizia Allyn Lim Nuñez, also an engineer. Aer hurdling the overwhelming challenges in business, Glenn was drawn into the din of polics. A number of polical leaders and their pares tried to urged him to run for an elected post. He was told that, aer etching his name in the worlds of business and sports, his popularity to the masses soared to heights ripe for polics. He knew fully well that public service is a sacrice, demanding a denial of oneself for the sake of others. But the spirit of unselshness in him triggered his passion to serve, and the decision that it was me already for him to have solid proofs of his advocacies. Glenn wanted the public to realize that there is always goodness amid the imperfect and confusing world of polics. So, he acceded to the oer to tandem with re-eleconist Governor Gwen Garcia and ran for vice governor against the incumbent Greg Sanchez. While Gwen won, the neophyte Glenn lost to Sanchez, the veteran polician in a very ghtly-contested race having have lost by 1% margin of the votes cast. In 1996, Glenn, staking a capitalizaon of only P30,000 from his personal savings, opened a small specialty coee kiosk outside the cinema in Ayala Center Cebu, oering aordable coee blends and pastries. The brand, Coee Dream, started out as a small homegrown concept, grew into 42 branches naonwide, across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. It was phenomenal considering the presence of highly established and more popular coee chains swarming the market all over the country. Earning the moniker as “Mr. Coee Dream,” Glenn remains an advocate of local products. He made Coee Dream a cut above the rest thru its loyalty and patronage to locally-produced coee. In fact, his is the only coee shop that is selling coee produced in his home province, Cebu. He came up with his own special blend which is a mixture of beans from Tuburan(a town in the southwestern part of Cebu). It is named, Kape Arcadio, in honor of Cebu’s rst governor, Arcadio Maxilom. It has been Glenn’s fervent wish to serve local coee to its customers believing that the market is best served by patronizing its very own. Back in 2007, Coee Dream was recognized by the naonally-circulated Entrepreneur Magazine as the best home-grown franchise. The same magazine, that year, named Glenn as “One of the 75 Most Admired Entrepreneurs of the Philippines.” He was also a nalist for the presgious Entrepreneur of the Year naonal award by the accounng rm, Ernst and Young.MR. COFFEE DREAMINTO PUBLIC SERVICEAwarded Honorary Board Member of the Year77

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In 2013, Glenn made another bid for vice-governorship this me as an independent candidate, but placed close second in a three-cornered ght for vice governor despite his logiscal challenges. In the 2016 elecons, Glenn decided to take a furlough from polics and focus again on his businesses. But in 2019, he was lured back to polics and ran for Provincial Board member (6th district, Cebu). This me, Glenn won overwhelmingly. At the PB, he racked up numerous accomplishments to benet the province and his constuents. As a legislator, he led his rst Ordinance which was the Barangay Workers Act 2019 to compliment the move of Governor Gwen Garcia to increase the incenves of Barangay frontliners (barangay health workers, day care workers, nutrion scholars, animal health aides and tanods). As Chairman on the Commiee on Budget and Appropriaons, he shepherd the approval of the 1st supplemental budget of the Cebu Provincial Government in a record-breaking 6 minutes heralding the developmental programs of the new administraon. This was complimented by his leadership in facilitang the approval of the historic annual budget in the amount of 12B in 2020. Currently, the Province’s annual budget stands at 20B which is the highest budget ever approved for a Provincial Government in the enre country. He pursued his advocacy on planning and development backed-up by his solid experience with the Regional Development Council (RDC) as Chairman of Infrastructure Development Commiee by ling several legislave acons in the Sangguniang Panlalawigan like his resoluon calling for a “Trac Crisis” in the Province of Cebu in 2019. He likewise authored related ordinances like the “Fender Bender Act of 2019” and the “Driver’s Due Diligence Act” making trac related measures more praccal, and to insll more discipline on our motorists. His personal advocacy, Trabaho ug Asenso” (work and progress) remained to this day his guiding principle in his numerous programs and legislave work where he desires to make jobs more available and accessible to the masses. He engages government and the dierent stakeholders in bridging the gap between the labor force and the job market. To him, it is important that people’s lives need to get beer by earning more income to live a beer life. He now maintains a Trabaho ug Asenso oce which is personally funded, and fully staed to assist job applicants in securing the right skills needed for their job preferences and linking them with the jobs available in the market. Since he started in oce, he runs an outreach program called Go Livelihood for Entrepreneurship, Nutrion and Nurturing (G.L.E.N.N.), an outreach program where he visits the dierent barangays of his district and bring medical services, a feeding program, a one-stop shop assistance desk and food packs to his constuents. The program since then expanded to include other services like free haircut, giving of free vitamins and medicines to the children and indigents. Glenn makes sure that he gets to understand the basic needs of his constuents and through his G.L.E.N.N. Program, he can bring government services closer to the people. Glenn has likewise eecvely implemented the several programs of the Provincial Government like the Sugbo Negosyo Program (a micro enterprise development program) and the Sugbo Kahanas (a skills development program). He has implemented to construcon of Mul-purpose Covered Courts, Day Care Centers, Solar Street Lighng and Road Concreng projects within his district under the Province’s infrastructure program. Due to his good performance as a legislator in the Provincial Board, Glenn got re-elected in the 2022 elecons as PB Member for the 6th district of Cebu, which now includes the Lone District of Mandaue City. It has been said that business and polics don’t mix; you either sacrice one for the other or you’ll ulmately fail in both ends. Glenn emphasizes on his sta his no-nonsense brand of leadership. He demands eciency from his oce sta and constantly reminds them that they are not accountable to him only as their head of oce, but they are also accountable to the people. In a published arcle, he was quoted: “Unl such me that I am given the mandate to serve the public, I will connue to give it my best, God will do the rest.” However, Glenn brushed this maer aside as one of the challenges he is going to tackle along the arbitrary path of polics. He pondered that if he was able to survive the more complex life of a businessman, he can survive the maddening world of polics, which he sees as a means of public service in line with his direcons in business. He just stuck to his character of unselshness and mele.BALANCING BUSINESS AND POLITICSAwarded Honorary Board Member of the Year78

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NATION BUILDERSAt the heart of Cotabato lies Kidapawan — a city tremendously blessed with natural beauty. Nestled at the foot of the majesc Mt. Apo, Kidapawan sits on ferle lands and is surrounded by lush forests that are energized by the abundant energy of the Mindanao sun. The prisne water that ows down from the mountains and trickles into rivers, springs, and lakes nourishes Kidapawan’s lands, its ora & fauna, and its people. If one were to encapsulate Kidapawan’s essence in a singular word, it would be LUNTIAN/GREEN. Lunan is more than just a color. It’s a philosophy, a way of living, a standard, a force and a movement all geared towards building our smart and sustainable future. This is the wisdom and the inspiraon behind LUNTIAN KIDAPAWAN, which is the brainchild of the man who’s leading the charge and steering this transformaon for Kidapawan. He is the Captain of Lunan Kidapawan — our Mayor Ay. Jose Paolo Evangelista. Mayor Ay. Jose Paolo M. Evangelista, who’s fondly called “Ay. Pao” in Kidapawan City, is a rst-term city mayor brimming with idealism and enthusiasm. Ay. Pao’s primary advocacies are good governance and environmental preservaon and protecon so one could say that his core is as clean and green as the city he leads and lives in. He shares the same birth month as Kidapawan and at 33 years old, Ay. Pao is one of the youngest local chief execuves in the country. AWARDED HONORARYLOCAL CHIEF EXECUTIVEOF THE YEARATTY. JOSE PAOLO M. EVANGELISTAMAYOR, CITY GOVERNMENT OF KIDAPAWAN79

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4. Execuve Order No. 014 is an order direcng the Digitalizaon of the City Government’s Fuel Use through the installaon of Global Posion System (GPS) and Fuel-Saving Devices on all heavy equipment and machineries owned and operated by the City Government of Kidapawan, declaring a policy of transparency in the use of the people’s fuel, and providing monitoring mechanisms. With Ay. Pao’s strong leadership, the Local Energy Eciency and Conservaon Plan was craed in collaboraon with the leaders and members of the Kidapawan City Energy Eciency and Conservaon Oce. The LEECP is a collaborave and mul-stakeholder comprehensive framework or governance structure, which outlines the programs prepared by the LGU for local energy eciency and conservaon, and denes targets, feasible strategies, and establishes the conduct of regular monitoring and evaluaon acvies. The LEECP also denes the judicious and ecient ulizaon of energy resources through the adopon of cost-eecve opons such as ecient operaons and maintenance pracces, the introducon of green technologies, and the idencaon of a comprehensive approach through educaon to modify employees’ behavior, among others. Furthermore, the LEECP also aims to address the three core dimensions of the energy “trilemma”: energy aordability and access, energy security, and environmental sustainability. The measures outlined in the LEECP are divided into three categories: Immediate, Mid-Range, and Long-Range measures which are all acve and in various stages of implementaon. These policies and measures enable the sharing and reinforcement of best pracces to meet the energy eciency and conservaon goals of Kidapawan City. And in the short me since the start of implementaon of the Plan, Kidapawan City has already been recognized by the Department of Energy. Unbeknownst to many, Ay. Pao studied nursing as his undergraduate degree before studying law and obtaining his Juris Doctor diploma at the Ateneo de Davao University. Aer successfully passing the bar exam and taking his oath as a lawyer, he joined the Ateneo de Davao University College of Law faculty and taught several law subjects such as Constuonal Law and Criminal Law from June 2014 unl May 2019. Ay. Pao’s innate passion for educaon and his professional experience as an educator has greatly inuenced his brand of governance and public service — smart, innovave, collaborave and inclusive. This brand of governance and service is clearly evident in the transformave changes he has implemented since the day he took his oath of oce. In his rst few months as Mayor of Kidapawan, Ay. Pao has already made brave and transformave decisions, such as: prohibing the use of policians’ faces and names on government-iniated projects and acvies; shung down illegal cockpits; declaring war against illegal gambling; creang a gratuity fund for rerement pay of all job order workers; digitalizing access to emergency health services; strengthening people’s organizaons in governance through grassroots development; promong sustainable agricultural pracces, such as beekeeping and the use of organic ferlizers; democrazing the budgeng process; establishing the rst-ever plasc recycling plant in the enre Province of Cotabato; installing GPS and fuel-monitoring devices on all heavy equipment and machinery used by the City saving 60% on fuel costs, and other ongoing iniaves and projects. LUNTIAN KIDAPAWAN is the banner program which encapsulates all of these iniaves and projects that are primarily anchored in his core advocacies of good governance and environmental preservaon and protecon.ENERGY EFFICIENCY Ay. Pao has issued the following policies pursuant to The Energy Eciency and Conservaon Act in order to bolster the city’s eciency and sustainability campaign: 1. Execuve Order No. 027 is an order establishing the Kidapawan City Energy Eciency and Conservaon Oce, designang the Energy Eciency and Conservaon Ocer and Energy Eciency and Conservaon Focal Persons, and providing for their dues and responsibilies; 2. Memorandum No. 1989 is a memorandum direcng all Department Managers to submit through the City Administrator the Weekly Fuel Consumpon Ledger;3. Administrave Order No. 03 is an order instuonalizing a Car Pool System in all City Government Oces, providing for a mechanism to save on fuel, and other related purposes; Awarded Honorary Local Chief Executive of the Year80

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Kidapawan City was conferred with the honor of winning the 2022 Energy Eciency Excellence Awards for Government: Local Government Units Category — the only city LGU awardee. The DOE highlighted the City’s energy eciency eorts and best pracces such as the ecient use of air-condioning units, computers, lighng, and refrigeraon equipment, installaon of LED light bulbs and solar street lights and the use of GPS trackers to monitor public vehicle trip routes and fuel consumpon which enabled the City to achieve 17,805.86 kWh electricity consumpon savings and 56,822.03 liters of fuel consumpon savings in 2022. The latest available DOE Energy Audit Report in December 2022 also cered that the City Government of Kidapawan was able to achieve a 93.8% compliance rang with the Government Energy Management Program. We’re already winning on energy savings and it’s only the beginning! In August of 2022, Ay. Pao inaugurated Kidapawan City’s own “waste-to-bricks” recycling facility to boost its solid waste management program. This plasc recycling facility located in Barangay Magsaysay is managed by the City Environment and Natural Resources Oce (CENRO) and is also the rst of its kind in the Province of Cotabato. Under Kidapawan City’s solid waste recycling program, the local government will buy recyclable waste such as plasc boles, paper, polystyrene containers, and the like from its partner establishments and local enes. The collected waste will then be sorted and prepared for processing in the facility. The recycling process involves the crushing and melng of these waste materials which will be mixed with gravel to produce bricks. These bricks can then be used for the city’s construcon projects. Ay. Pao believes that this process of successfully turning waste into bricks is a clear demonstraon of how recycling can help us build circular systems and infrastructures that reduce and eliminate waste which are necessary in building our sustainable communies. 2023 marks Kidapawan City’s 25th Charter Day Anniversary and to commemorate this milestone in the City’s history, Ay. Pao and the City Government of Kidapawan launched the CANOPY ’25 Forest-Growing Project which aims to plant 2.5 million trees within the next 1-2 years. This project is both historic and symbolic as it united and galvanized all stakeholders and sectors in the city — leaders and members of government agencies, the academe, church and religious organizaons, business enes, people’s organizaons, environmental protecon groups and advocates and other NGOs and private cizens — to the cause of protecng the environment and saving future generaons. This is a cause Ay. Pao fully supports and wholeheartedly believes in.SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENTCANOPY ’25Awarded Honorary Local Chief Executive of the Year81

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APOKIDS PROGRAMTHE DREAM Advancing the People’s Organizaons of Kidapawan through Innovaons and Development of Social Capital. APOKIDS is a program focused on the empowerment of people’s organizaons that was instuonalized into the Civil Society Development Unit of Kidapawan under the visionary leadership of Mayor Ay. Jose Paolo Evangelista. APOKIDS was born out of Ay. Pao’s belief that the main and primary task of government is to give the people the best ghng chance to realize their dreams and aspiraons in life. But this, he says, does not mean that the government will realize their dreams for them. Ay. Pao emphasizes, “Being the dreamers themselves, our people are more than capable of realizing their dreams if given the proper environment to thrive in. This is where we come in. This is why the process of empowerment is important because it ensures sustainability and self-reliance. It ensures independence and freedom, not only from the shackles of poverty, but more importantly, from the persistent inuence of tradional polics and patronage.” Ay. Pao believes that we should empower our people to chart their own desnies and enable them to journey towards their aspiraons. This is the inspiraon behind the APOKIDS Program. The APOKIDS Program is divided into 3 strategic phases. Phase 1 involves organizaonal assessment and diagnosis. Phase 2 focuses on the formulaon and formaon of organizaonal strategies. Finally, Phase 3 centers on livelihood development planning and community savings mobilizaon. Our trained facilitators guide the parcipants in each phase of the Program. The Program recognizes the crucial role of people’s organizaons in community and naon-building. It aims to strengthen these people’s organizaons as acve partners for sustainable development by forfying their organizaonal structure, facilitang requisite skills training, providing access to support services and nancial resources from local, naonal, and internaonal agencies and instuons, and establishing market linkages. Through these intervenons, the Program aims to support these people’s organizaons to become nancially stable, self-sucient, resilient, and sustainable. Last December 10, 2022, Ay. Pao along with the APOKIDS team successfully hosted the PAKIGLAMBIGIT 2022: People’s Organizaon Livelihood Summit in Kidapawan City. During the summit, our current 23 partner people’s organizaons were able to connect with leaders and representaves from mulple local, regional, and naonal government agencies to discuss and explore future synergies that may boost and benet their organizaons and their members. When asked about his dream for Kidapawan, Ay Pao. sincerely reiterates: With brave and visionary leaders like our Captain, Ay. Paolo Evangelista, we have absolute condence that for Kidapawan and our people, and for everyone — the future is sustainable and LUNTIAN. “My dream for Kidapawan is to give our people — the Kidapaweños — the best opportunities and the best Fighting chance in achieving their dreams and aspirations in life and to build a clean, green and sustainable Kidapawan.”Awarded Honorary Local Chief Executive of the Year82

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NATION BUILDERSBeing in public service wasn’t really in Mayor John Dalipe’s cards at rst. In fact, he was reluctant to pursue a career in public service say for the persuasion of his older brother Mark Dalipe. This was in a bid to run as Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Chairman for Tetuan, their barangay where the Dalipes also reside in. John was 17 years old. John was a Nursing student in the Ateneo de Zamboanga University (ADZU). And, according to his Kuya Mark, being a public servant can be learned through experience and by fully immersing in the whole process. Aer all, the Dalipes already have a stellar record in public service. Their father served as City Mayor from November 14, 1984 unl February 25, 1986. Eventually, he gave in to his older brother’s wishes. Thus, John won as SK Chairman for Tetuan and was elected as SK Federaon President and ex-ocio Councilor. He served for a term from 2002-2007, a total of ve years. The term was extended during then-President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s administraon. During this me, he was also SK Vice President for the enre Mindanao. The experience was both fun and challenging. Despite these successes, with good me management, he priorized what was important in order to graduate with BS in Nursing at ADZU. Aer this, he nally passed the Nursing Board and became a full-edged registered nurse. Once his term ended, he gave it a shot as a Barangay Kagawad in 2007-2010. He also became an ocer in the Federaon of Barangay Kagawads of Zamboanga City (FEBARKAZA). He was so young then. Here, John was very supporve of other SK Chairmen, he was encouraging them to spread their wings. To those who knew him then, he was a very supporve leader.AWARDED HONORARYLOCAL CHIEF EXECUTIVEOF THE YEARHON. JOHN M. DALIPEMAYOR, ZAMBOANGA CITYOF FIRSTS AND OF FATE 83

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In 2013, he ran as City Councilor while he was Kagawad in the Local Elecons. Registered voters chose the elecve local posts: the Mayor, Vice-Mayor, and eight Councilors each for Districts One and Two. He didn’t make it as he only ranked 9th in the votes for Second District Councilor. He was quite downhearted with the loss and was set on leaving for abroad to nally work as a nurse. However, desny had another route for John. Barangay Captain Felipe “Nonong” Locson Navidad passed away in July 2013. It was insncve that he assumed oce by chance as Number 1 Kagawad in Barangay Tetuan, by virtue of the victory in the local elecons. Lile did he know that his mele will be tested due to the infamous Zamboanga Siege. On September 9, 2013, rebels from the Moro Naonal Liberaon Front (MNLF) Nur Missuari facon aempted to occupy several coastal communies in Zamboanga City in protest of the Philippine Government’s failure to implement the 1996 nal peace agreement with the MNLF. The siege lasted 21 days, ending on September 28, 2013. The Zamboanga Siege made headlines all over the country, being the rst urban warfare in the history of Zamboanga City. The whole city was in crisis. Establishments within ground zero’s diameter were closed down. Not a lot of people know that during the Siege, Kapitan John was spending all of his nights and days in the Barangay Hall of Tetuan making sure that the displaced people were not le behind. He made it a point to ensure safety for all Tetuanos, leading rescue operaons and addressing displacement for people whose homes were near the site of conict. Although everyone else’s peace and safety were at risk, he made sure that people had the basic necessies as much as possible. Tetuan was just beside Sta. Catalina and Kasanyangan.LESSONS ON LEADERSHIP TheDestined Journey Public Serviceof ainYoung ManJOHN DALIPEAwarded Honorary Local Chief Executive of the Year84

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The assistance he extended wasn’t just for the Tetuanos. Other barangays aected were Tugbungan, Talon-Talon, Rio Hondo, Kasanyangan, and Sta. Catalina. Kapitan John was a regular sight among displaced families in the assigned evacuaon centers. This has earned him the love of those who saw his sincerest intenons. In the 2016 Elecons, he secured his place as the Barangay Captain for his beloved Tetuan. In 2019, he led for candidacy as Councilor and won, garnering the slot as the Number 1 Councilor. Nobody could have predicted what would happen in 2020. As a neophyte Councilor, it was mely that he was heading the Health Commiee, given his profession. The COVID-19 Virus further proved his spirit and dedicaon to serving the public. Councilor John was spoed operang a spray machine by himself. This act even courted cricism from other local leaders, although constuents praised his iniave, idenfying measures to bale the virus. His thinking was quite advanced during the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis in Zamboanga. The city back then did not have a disinfecng team. His background as a nurse allowed him to understand the threat, enabling him to be on the ground doing the disinfecon on his own, to the extent of personally spending for a disinfecng machine. It was a simple pressure pump, but this act displayed his iniave as someone concerned for the health of others. The Zamboangueños’ love for him will come to the surface in the 2022 Naonal Elecons where he would defeat his rivals: a former mayor and incumbent congressman of the second district, the incumbent vice-mayor, and the incumbent congressman of the rst district. Dalipe gathered 129,140 votes, while the next candidate, a veteran polician received 91,905. The rst district congressman ranked third at 55,808 while the last vice-mayor ranked last at 31,635. It’s not a coincidence that he happens to be the 6th child of former City Mayor, Manuel Dalipe and that his eldest brother was making waves in the House of Representaves. This lineage brings to the front a dierent kind of leadership that values ecient performance and transparency. During his rst few months in oce, the Bids and Awards Commiee (BAC) meengs were made accessible and live for the benet of all involved. No wonder his campaign features Progreso y Desarollo, Servicio Sincero (Progress and Development, Sincere Service), seng the tone for immediate acon today and not tomorrow. Like his family in local public service, he believes in less talk and more acon. His brand of leadership values hands-on management. It is said that the young mayor steps up when he is needed because he believes that the Zamboangueno deserves transparent and quick services. There is a tendency for people to look at things dierently. But for Mayor John, he envisions Zamboanga City to be a highly-developed city. Which is why together with older brother Second District Representave and House Majority Leader Manuel Jose “Mannix” Dalipe, they are lobbying for the materializaon of the New Zamboanga Internaonal Airport. Php 720 million addional budget allocaon for the project’s land acquision has been released on May 6, 2023, by the Naonal Government through the Department of Transportaon to the Zamboanga City Local Government under Mayor John Dalipe’s leadership. One of his goals is the transfer of the Zamboanga City Hall, which is a long-standing proposal. The mayor seeks for the relocaon to occur within his term, pushing the local government oces to operate outside of the Central Business District. This move shall decongest the city center, addressing trac issues and smulang development in City Hall’s future locaon.BEYOND THE FAMILY NAME A VISION FOR THE CITY AND FOR THE ZAMBOANGUEÑOS Awarded Honorary Local Chief Executive of the Year85

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Zamboanga’s posion is unique, being the gateway to Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area. The mayor believes in the City’s potenal for this ASEAN region as a feeder city for trade and tourism. As for the Zamboangueno, one needs to take a closer look at how Mayor John interacts with the locals. The concern for people is intrinsic. What he wants is for every Zamboangueno to have food on the table, to have decent jobs that provide for each family, and for the preservaon of dignity. In his interacon with the people, he somemes forgets that he is the Local Chief Execuve. It is easy for him to become comfortable with any person on the street. Thus, the JD programs were conceived. Although the acronym can be associated with the Mayor’s inials, they stand for Justo y Decente Ayuda na Barangay which reects on the kind of assistance his administraon is able to extend. The Mayor’s Oce oers hospital and burial assistance all-year round to those in need, as long as the requirements are complete. This stems from the mindset that the government’s money is the people’s money. Mayor John was able to bring the services closer to the people in both districts of the city such as free legal counseling, medical, dental, free civil registrar assistance, free booster shots with free 5 kilos rice, free haircut, blood donaon, and other forms of social services such as burial, medical and nancial assistance. Dalipe was chosen from the list of nominees that also included Zamboanga del Sur Governor Victor Yu, Pagadian City Mayor Samuel Co, and Dapitan City Mayor Seth Jalosjos. He also chairs the Regional Development Commiee -Mindanao Area Commiee. In the city, Mayor John was able to strategize on the ooding issue by championing the drainage project and proposing the conduct of a feasibility study to address the threat that may occur in the future. Within City Hall, he personally veried that salaries were disbursed on me especially among rank-and-le employees to ensure that those who worked for the city government were able to reciprocate quality services to the public. Mayor John is the rst to be against red tape, which is why he also pursued the ISO Quality Management System 9001:2015 implementaon. Through the program, the local government unit’s processes will be accredited to be standardized and at par with global standards. This complements the digitalizaon of the other exisng systems such as document tracking, Finance Kiosk, payroll, and HRIS, and soon to be rolled out Digital Business One Stop Shop System. When it comes to polical aspiraons, it’s too early to say. Here is a person who gave hope that change is coming, and that change started with him. Even though his rst year was quite evenul, he is enjoying his days as Mayor. There is a dierent sense of fulllment in serving his fellow Zamboangueños. He has come a long way from being a hesitant young man to being the Local Chief Execuve of his very own hometown, La Bella Ciudad de Zamboanga. Not bad for someone who was reluctant at the beginning to be in public service, eh? Each mayoral term is dierent. These are the milestones and achievements that describe his rst year in oce. On April 19, 2023, the Malacanang Palace ordered a moratorium on the transfer of naonal government oces from Zamboanga City to Pagadian City through Memorandum Circular No. 18 signed by Execuve Secretary Lucas Bersamin upon the authority of the President. The temporary suspension of the transfer provided an opportunity for aected agencies to re-assess the juscaons for, as well as the implicaons of the transfer of the regional oces to Pagadian City. The moratorium is a result of the eorts of the Dalipe brothers who personally visited Sec. Bersamin’s oce to convey the clamor of the city’s residents. Employees from the agencies’ pending transfer expressed their relief and gratude to the mayor in his oce shortly aer announcements were made. Although a rst-termer, he was appointed by President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. as the Regional Development Council IX’s (RDC 9) Chairman. The RDC is the highest policy-making body of the Zamboanga Peninsula region.HIGHLIGHTS OF THE FIRST TERMWHAT’S NEXT FOR MAYOR JOHN DALIPE? Awarded Honorary Local Chief Executive of the Year86

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NATION BUILDERSEvery leader swears to thousands of people to give the utmost services they can oer—good governance, safety and security, reliable food systems, etc.—but here in the city of Toledo, Mayor Marjorie Piczon Perales does not only priorize handing out assistance; she also focuses on progress.Transforming the city is a great task. When great concepts are etched into steel or cement, they change the course of cies all the me. Given that a city is home to a huge number of people, they ought to be adequately taken care of by providing the most eecve amenies that ocials can provide. Not to queson how forward-thinking Toledo City has become nowadays. She has the utmost slate serving as a habit: pouring non-stop projects. Two thousand nineteen to two thousand twenty - two was her rst term as the mother to more than 200,000 cizens of Toledo. She was swimming deep in the water at the beginning of her leadership. From all types of catastrophes—disasters and a pandemic—with her provision, everything was well-handled.Her administraon never wastes a second on planning for the beerment of the city and its people. With several free public programs such as Halad Alagad, Water Services, Burial Assistance, Senior Cizens and PWD Financial Assistance, Free Joyful Civil Wedding, Alagad Services, and more to menon.AWARDED HONORARYLOCAL CHIEF EXECUTIVEOF THE YEARHON. MARJORIE P. PERALESTOLEDO CITY, PROVINCE OF CEBUTHE MAYOR WHO PAINTED THE TOWN REDMAYOR JOIE AS A MOTHER TO A HUNDRED THOUSAND87

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Knowingly Mayor Marjorie Perales has surpassed the rst three years of dwelling in dierent circumstances, both posive and negave. The mayor is more vigilant about what is needed to add up in Toledo. As she went to numerous towns, municipalies, and cies in the Philippines, addional concepts and ideas came across her mind, which she discussed with the slate. Trade is enabled by infrastructure, which also fuels rms, connects people to lots of jobs, gives breaks to impoverished populaons, and protects the city from a more volale natural environment. Infrastructure is the bedrock of a thriving economy, and it comprises both public and private investments in roads, water systems, bridges, telephones, waste management, and recreaon facilies. Aside from the recently built rms in the city, there are sll lots on the way. The expansion of Toledo Sports Center, which consists of top-er beer and skiles areas, namely the tennis court, badminton court, grandstand, sports oval, and Olympic-size swimming pool, is being awaited for. The administraon, under the leadership of City Mayor Marjorie Perales, backed the project and deemed it essenal because they sought to boost tourism in the city, parcularly sports tourism. While the dream to host several naonal and internaonal events is about to be realized, the economic development of the city will also be enhanced.BEAUTIFY THE CITY, MAKING IT MORE JOYFULAwarded Honorary Local Chief Executive of the Year88

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Public buildings occur in a variety of shapes and serve many purposes, from hospitals to town halls, schools, and administrave facilies. Many of these structures, however, need substanal expenditures to adapt to new economic, ecological, and sociological issues because they are meant to survive for a long period of me. The fact that a city should always meet the current demands of its people, providing comfort through innovaon is the best soluon for this problem. Straightly looking at the side of modern designs and year-on-year improvements, it will surely aract thousands of investors. There are mulple projects in Toledo City about to embark like the Toledo Public Market, wherein it has its own aesthecally made designs, tapping into the modern tastes of the people nowadays, Land Transportaon Terminal, which will be transferred to another locaon fronng the soon to rise Cebu Technological University, the Senior Cizens and Children’s Park, which will surely make an everlasng impact, not just on the residents of Toledo but on all tourists; and the restoraon of the Toledo Garden City Hall, ensuring energy and comfort zones for all the people transacng around.TIGHT BONDS WITH THE CITY’S PARTNERS MANGROVE RIVER TOUR ECO-TOURISM PROJECT (in partnership with Global Business Power Inc.) Will be soon placed at Brgy. Ibo, Toledo City.TOLEDO CITY SANITARY LANDFILL, METHANE RECOVERY AND POWER GENERATION FACILITY (in partnership with Far East Fuel Corporation) Will be soon placed at Brgy. Sam-ang, Toledo City Cies are becoming increasingly essenal to business and more intertwined with it as urbanizaon grows to drive worldwide prosperity. Relaonships between cies and businesses oer the possibility of major success in advancing connuous revenue growth, perseverance, and overall quality of life. In this administraon, the mayor is also open to partnerships, especially when the city and its people can benet from them. Yet, in order to have prodigious bonds among Toledo City and exisng companies inside, it is signicant to listen, analyze, and understand. It is her desire to develop the city’s eco-tourism goal. One of these is the Mangrove River in Brgy. Ibo, Toledo City. The emergence of structures such as a boardwalk will undoubtedly transform the nature of the site by embellishing it more. Moreover, the project is a public-private partnership (PPP) where both pares have the same goal—beerment of the City of Toledo. Mayor Marjorie Perales, along with the City Vice Mayor and Councilors, wants a Zero Waste Soluon in the waste management program of the City of Toledo, the Province of Cebu and neighboring local government units to eradicate all types of waste through the integraon of compable waste management and waste processing/treatment technology. This will also promote the use of Renewable Energy by converng collected and processed waste into a clean Electrical Energy project and help achieve a sustainable approach in the migaon of the eects of climate change and for global environmental preservaon. This will house facilies like Leachate Pond, Bioremediaon Pond, Treatment Pond, Sanitary Landlls Thermal Waste Treatment Machinery and Power Plant Building, Waste Rubber Pyrolysis and Used Oil Renery Building and Truck Weigh Scale Bridge.Awarded Honorary Local Chief Executive of the Year89

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NATION BUILDERSThe commitment of Mayor Arturo B. Robes to the advocacies of “Agarang Tugon sa Progreso” and “Dobleng Aksyon ang Solusyon” is evident as the City of San Jose del Monte was recognized again by the Department of the Interior and Local Government. The Seal of Good Local Governance (2022) was awarded to the city as it reects the massive development and excellent improvement in terms of the quality of government service that transforms San Jose del Monte into a Rising City. With his signature brand of public service, he performed with the highest degree of excellence, professionalism, intelligence, and skill. The City Mayor of San Jose del Monte— Mayor Arturo B. Robes ranked as the 7th top City Mayor in the Philippines with an 82% Job Performance Rang for the year 2022. RP - Mission and Development Foundaons Inc. (RPMD). The said advocacies of the Local Chief Execuve are evident to the immense development and improvement in the quality of government service, transforming San Jose del Monte from a relocaon site into a new investment and tourist-friendly desnaon. The City Mayor is focus on invesng in human resources spearheading the transformaon of the Human Resource and Management Oce to become a PRIME- HRM and aained the presgious 2022 PRIME HRM Bronze Award. During his term, there were a total of 400 newly hired and 104 newly promoted city government employees, one of the records high in the country. Also, in line with the infrastructure projects that is a vision of the city’s rise into progress, the Mayor Robes’ Administraon is also known for its best pracces in delivering sustainable programs.AWARDED HONORARYLOCAL CHIEF EXECUTIVEOF THE YEARHON. ARTURO B. ROBESMAYOR, CITY OF SAN JOSE DEL MONTE, BULACANCHAMPIONING PEOPLE - CENTERED GOVERNMENT FOR TRANSFORMATIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY91

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CITY OF SAN JOSE DEL MONTE BUSINESS ONE-STOP-SHOP (BOSS) Mayor Arthur Robes always make sure that the City Government of San Jose del Monte connues its path to establish digital-driven development to deliver fast-tracked, ecient and eecve government services, invesng in digizaon to boost the business sector in a comprehensive approach to strengthening local economic growth. The further development of BPLTAS on November 2019 that introduces the web applicaon feature, resulted to increase of business registraon and a rapid rise of 20.65% in Business Tax Collecon reaching PHP 247,959,267.98 in just a year. And, another 7.87% increase in 2020 leads to the all-me record-high of PHP 267,488,744.38 collecon. The staggering increase in business tax collecon translates into sucient funding of wide range social services and infrastructure projects for the upliment of the quality of lives of San Joseños. In addion, he priorizes innovaons that simplies procedures and pushes the automaon for faster customer service became the signicant factors to gain the condence of all sorts of business enterprise to invest in the Rising City of San Jose del Monte. The 45-minute easy transacon of SUBMIT – PAY – CLAIM to obtain business permit ulizing the CSJDM Business Permit and Licensing Tax Administraon System (BPLTAS) is a testament of the commitment of the Robes’ Administraon to City Government of San Jose del Monte to fully empower and create greater opportunies for the business community.A PIECE OF THE CITY OF SAN JOSE DEL MONTE As it was established on December 20, 2017, with an inial of six (6) exhibitors from the manufacturing industry, the CSJDM’s Pasalubong Center now has a total of 25 exhibitors displaying their products at the pasalubong center. Moreover, with his unqualied support in all history, culture, arts and tourism programs, The City of San Jose Del Monte Tourism Oce was recognized by the Department of Tourism Region 3 as the Top Performing Tourism Oce in Region 3. Mayor Arthur Robes empowers the City of San Jose del Monte Pasalubong Center n to show his support for dierent organizaons and cooperaves in the city.Awarded Honorary Local Chief Executive of the Year92

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PUBLIC HEALTH Part of improving the services in the city is the commitment of Robes’ Administraon to develop the quality of life of the people in relaon to have a beer healthcare system.For Mayor Robes, having a beer public hospital is an investment that symbolizes a beer health care system, which then mirrors a dedicaon to saving lives and improving the health of the people in a city with a growing populaon. So, Mayor Robes priorizes the rehabilitaon and renovaon of the Ospital ng Lungsod ng San Jose del Monte, which started in 2018, with the connuous support of the local government for the beerment of the medical services in the city.Along with the physical improvements, increase in bed capacity, and procurement of modern medical equipment, the public hospital’s administraon is reorganized and reviewed to improve hospital procedures. Also, addional manpower complement, and increase in salary of job order employees from PHP 8,000 to PHP 15,000 were implemented. To further deliver quality and accessible healthcare services, Mayor Robes together with DOH are now in the process of launching the Super Health Center, which oers services such as laboratory facilies, pharmacies, birthing facilies, an out-paent department, dental services, a comprehensive PhilHealth out-paent department, and other minor services.In terms of having an aainable health care service for everyone, the opening of St. Bernadee Mul-Specialty and Primary Care Health Facility in 2022 also serves San Joseños to have proper medical services. Mayor Arthur and the City Health Oce strengthen the program of providing free local public health services to San Joseños which cover a wide range of acvies including health promoon, disease prevenon, diagnosis and treatment, and rehabilitaon. This is to bring health services closer to San Joseños who live in remote areas and also the local medical frontliners also ensure the conduct of community outreach programs. The local government holds the health of San Joseños as a priority as they also partake in building San Jose del Monte as a Rising City.Awarded Honorary Local Chief Executive of the Year93

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THE A.L.A.R.M. PROMISECITY OF SAN JOSE DEL MONTE VETERINARY HOSPITAL FREE SERVICES FOR THE WELL-BEING OF OUR ANIMAL FRIENDSPLASTIC WASTES - TURNED FUEL - KAPALIT AY SEMENTO (IN EXCHANGE OF CEMENTS)AN LCE FOR TRANSFORMATIONAL DEVELOPMENT TO SUSTAIN GREEN PRACTICESNO TIME IS WASTED IN THE CITY OF SAN JOSE DEL MONTE NOW IS THE TIME TO PRACTICE PROPER WASTE MANAGEMENT Mayor Robes sustains its programs for the San Jose del Monte City Disaster Risk Reducon and Management Oce (CDRRMO) that upholds the security of everyone in terms of dierent emergencies so they develop their service called “Agarang Lingap at Responde sa Mamamayan (ALARM),” which promotes a disaster-resilient community for the people of San Jose del Monte. To signify an unrelenng relay of “Agarang Lingap at Responde”, the Command Center is equipped with the latest 24/7 monitoring facility that can track upcoming natural disasters and a dispatch center that broadcasts informaon to responding emergency vehicles of the city, which ensures a coordinated response to emergencies. To further support the residents’ needs for an immediate and reliable emergency unit, improving the state of the ambulances in our city using the latest medical and trauma equipment has also been a primary concern. To ensure that the local government is ready for any emergency, Mayor Robes priories the acquision of the City’s Mobile Emergency Operaon Center (MEOC). The vehicle acts as a mobile clinic and has since been providing resources, and its praccal brilliance is intended for emergency communicaons, which manages incidents in satellite environments. Being the rst of its kind in the Province of Bulacan, the city has been pushing to lend the eciency of its service to provincial events and respond to the needs of other neighboring provinces. Mayor Robes always aim to have an environment-friendly city in compliance with the Philippine Ecological Solid Waste Management Act along with the strict implementaon of its local comprehensive solid waste management ordinance.So, in the City of San Jose del Monte, the Local Chief Execuve supports the advocacies of waste segregaon and waste conversion through its pioneer programs such as Plasc Mo Kapalit ay Semento and From Bubog to Non-Skid Tiles Conversion, the City Environmental and Natural Resources Oce (CENRO) also ventures in the implementaon of PCB Programs for Electric Cooperaves and Safe E-Wastes Management. The purpose of this program is to guarantee the safety and protecon of every San Joseños in terms of the underlying danger regarding the improper way of disposing of waste. These innovaons in proper waste management became possible through a systemac operaon of the CSJDM Central Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) which is supervised by the City Environmental and Natural Resources Oce (CENRO). Although the connuity of the project lies with the public’s parcipaon and behavioral changes among San Joseños towards a day-to-day green pracce. Tons of plasc garbage accumulates as an outcome of household segregaon, frequent collecon of the Barangay MRF, and ltering and shredding at the Central MRF. These qualifying leover plasc wastes were transferred to Republic Cement to be used as an alternave fuel for cement kiln co-processing. The local government receives 8 bags of cement for every ton of eligible residual plasc waste, which is used for dierent local development iniaves such as the renovaon and building of more Materials Recovery Facilies for barangays. Because of the availability of the cement, the Central MRF makes its own alternave to sand derived from bubog of old glass boles. These glass shards are pulverized, mixed with cement and water, and then placed in a molder to manufacture non-skid les for city route walks and eco-park development projects. Meanwhile, alongside residenal garbage, Mayor Robes improves the Central MRF to gathers waste from markets to generate vermicompost, coco dust, and coco coir, which are supplied for free to support our local farmers and backyard and community garden adopters. A city with rich cultural heritage and diverse people contribung in building a progressive community. An emerging center of development with its doors widely open for investors to rapidly increase business and generate employment for San Joseños. His extraordinary and exceponal best pracces in leading the local government have made the City of San Jose Del Monte one of the award-winning cies in the Philippines with his more than three decades of experience as public servant. He received the respect and full support of San Joseños parcularly the LGU employees with his consistent display of exemplary ethical behavior being an example of a true public servant that leads to an ecient, eecve, and responsive local governance. Moreover, under Mayor Arturo B. Robes as the City’s Local Chief Execuve, the City of San Jose del Monte became a livable city embracing progress and sustainability. With the virtue of valuing every life and love for aninmals, Mayor Arthur urges the City Veterinary Oce to cater the needs of the animals and priorize its welfare. So on his second term, Mayor Arthur as the Local Chief Execuve , the City Government established the rst City Veterinary Hospital in the Philippines that is under the maangement of the local government to meet the medical needs of the animals and shape San Jose del Monte into an animal-friendly city. As part of spreading awareness regarding rabies and teaching every San Joseños how to be responsible pet owners, Mayor Robes pushes the City Veterinary Oce to oer Mass Dog and Cat An-Rabies Vaccinaon in every barangay in our city. The City Mayor shows his support for the veterinary oce to ensure that every barangay supervises the populaon of stray dogs in the city through orientaons. Each barangay dog pound team has since learned the importance of how to properly catch and take care of all the stray dogs in their area. Here in the animal-friendly City of San Jose del Monte, every life maers.Awarded Honorary Local Chief Executive of the Year94

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NATION BUILDERSIt was in the year 2020 that the most challenging event in the history of the Republic of the Philippines as a naon took place. President Rodrigo Roa Duterte signed Proclamaon 922 declaring the enre Philippines under a State of Public Health Emergency in light of conrmed local transmission cases of COVID-19. Immediately thereaer, the City Government of Laoag iniated measures to address this unprecedented situaon baling an unseen enemy that threatened to claim lives and made people suer from a then unknown disease. Available resources of the city government were funneled purposely to establish isolaon facilies to contain posive cases idened by constant contact tracing procedures. Government facilies such as the ABC Building and the City Library were transformed into isolaon facilies. Some local hotels were commissioned also as isolaon facilies through the execuon of a Memorandum of Agreement for the said purpose. Medicines were purchased to cure the u-like symptoms as there was no pharmaceucal preparaon that could eradicate the disease at the moment of its emergence. The City of Laoag was quite fortunate as there was no single casualty in the year 2020 during the inial onslaught of COVID-19. This was due to the uncondional cooperaon of all sectors of society, both public and private, and the immediate response of frontliners who risked their well-being even at the risk of geng infected by the disease.AWARDED HONORARYLOCAL CHIEF EXECUTIVEOF THE YEARHON. MICHAEL MARCOS KEONMAYOR, CITY GOVERNMENT OF LAOAG, ILOCOS NORTE95

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Fortunately, no single life of a frontliner was compromised since frontliners were well protected through the use of Personal Protecve Equipment (PPE) purchased by the city government as well as donaons from government oces and non-government organizaons. Supporng the policies and guidelines of DOH concerning COVID 19, the city government procured supplies and materials used at vaccinaon areas, quaranne facilies, and for the Contact Tracing Team such as COVID 19 Angen Rapid Test Kit, Vaccine Card and others. Through these eorts, the City Government was a Regional Awardee for the Bannuar i Salun-at Award 2022 as Best COVID-19 Vaccinaon Implementaon given by the Department of Health, Region 1. The years that followed saw the connuaon of the measures to contain the spread of this dreadful disease. To further stem its transmission, city government employees were given the opon to work away from the oce through the Alternave Work Arrangement (AWA) craed through the collaboraon of the dierent agencies of the naonal government. The AWA was created to provide government employees with the opportunity to work away from the oce to lessen physical contact and work within the connes of their homes, however, the quality of work was not sacriced. To complement this, the City Government of Laoag implemented the “NO-MOVEMENT DAY” during Sundays wherein cizens were disallowed to go out from their residences except for emergency cases, responses to life-threatening cases and Covid-19 related acvies. It was in March 2021 that the vaccinaon against COVID-19 started in the Philippines through RESBAKUNA. The populace was classied into dierent categories to predetermine the order of vaccinaon with the frontliners given the priority to receive the vaccine. The vaccinaon program was further strengthened by the Pinaslakas Campaign which was ocially launched last July 26, 2022, otherwise known as the COVID-19 Booster Vaccinaon Campaign of the Department of Health, whose main objecve was to cover 90% senior cizens (A2) and the provision of booster shots to 50% of the populaon within the rst 100 days in the administraon of Pres. Ferdinand R. Marcos. Awarded Honorary Local Chief Executive of the Year96

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The city government encouraged all sectors of society to parcipate and support this campaign as this was part of our recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic through a rejuvenated vaccinaon program in order to maintain a strong wall of immunity against COVID-19. “Mens sana in corpore sano”, which means a healthy mind in a healthy body, was the moo of the late President, H.E. Ferdinand Edralin Marcos when he was in college. This guiding principle catapulted him to championships in boxing, swimming and wrestling teams. The Provincial Inter-Agency Monitoring Team (PIMT) consisng of representaves from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Provincial Welfare and Development Oce (PSWDO), Provincial Health Oce (PHO) Provincial Planning and Development Oce (PPDO) Department of Educaon (DepEd) and partner Civil Society Organizaon (CSO) conducted the City and Municipality (C/MCPC) Funconality Assessment for the Year 2022 last March 20, 2023 at the DILG Provincial Oce wherein the Local Council for the Protecon of Children of Laoag City obtained a total score of 94.36 and the corresponding Level of Funconality as “IDEAL” with a grade of 94.86%, the highest rang in the Province of Ilocos Norte. The Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP) 2020-2029 was approved and adopted through City Resoluon No. 2022-021 and was subsequently declared valid by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan through Resoluon No. R2022-0244. Prior to its approval and adopon, the then exisng CLUP of the city was last approved and adopted in 2003 which was long overdue for updang. It was only under this administraon that the CLUP was updated and now ready for implementaon. The CLUP was formulated to respond to the need to manage urban growth, sustain economic development and compeveness, increase agricultural income and producvity, enhance access to basic services and build livable, safe and resilient communies in consonance with the Vision Statement of the City which states, “The City of Laoag shall be the “BARO A LAOAG” that empowers its people through inclusive governance to sustain economic growth and vibrant culture while preserving the environment and moving towards resilience”. In this period of recovery from this worldwide crisis, the eld of sports is a way for our people, especially the younger generaon, of overcoming the weight of the pandemic. The rigors of isolaon and inacvity during the period of pandemic created a lot of stress both mentally and physically and in this context, physical exercise is an important and essenal part of mental and psychological well-being. Compeve sports enhance character-building and it is during training programs that one will learn about will-power, endurance, reaching for a goal and fullling one’s dreams. Studies show that young people who undergo a rigorous training program tend to mature quicker, understand life beer and develop a strong sense of responsibility. The “Gintong Alay” Program and the Philippine Olympic Commiee laid a solid foundaon in sports. It was during this me that the Philippines ruled the Track and Field events in internaonal compeons, the record consistently held by Lydia de Vega, who was known then as Asia’s Sprint Queen. At present, the City Government of Laoag plans to create a Sports Development Council, a somewhat downsized version of the “Gintong Alay” Program, to oversee the implementaon of training programs for every individual sport event. There shall be a Sports Coordinator for every sport event who shall be responsible in the overall well-being of the athletes. The Council shall be tasked to purchase equipment, expose athletes to compeons, build facilies and ensure that the health of the athletes is being taken care of through the provision of vitamins, massage and the services of a chiropractor.Awarded Honorary Local Chief Executive of the Year97

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In order to address the abovemenoned needs, the CLUP 2020-2029 outlines ve (5) growth nodes which shall funcon to spread the economic acvies, facilies and services to equalize development in key secons of the city, serving their own areas of inuence and capturing their own market. These growth nodes are located in the north, west, east, south of the city, as well as southeast, across the Laoag river. They are as follows:1. Central Growth Node: The Heritage Core, Buer Zone and Central Business DistrictIt serves as the site of the Provincial Government center as well as the commercial, instuonal, educaonal, recreaonal and communicaons center. The Central Business District (CBD), city public market, major sports center, playground, historical landmarks, clinics and hospitals are also located in this area.2. West Growth Node: The New Government CityIt shall be the “new government city” which shall host the new City Hall of Laoag, provincial branches of naonal agencies and related and support land uses, nucleated by the intersecon of the Laoag By-pass Road and extension of GomBurZa Street. It is also the proposed relocaon site of the Laoag City Public Market and Commercial Complex for to its accessibility purposes.3. East Growth Node: Ermita Hill Tradional VillageIt shall be based on the development of the Ermita Hill Tradional Village partly as a reconstructed naïve selement to become a cultural tourist aracon, and the rest of the area as reforested hill with tourism amenies.4. Southeast Growth Node: The Mall and Commercial StripIt shall cover the development of the whole stretch of Laoag Airport Road and the Manila North Road Nangalisan Secon up before the Laoag Bridge. 5. South Growth Node: PEZA-registered Eco-Tourism ZoneIt shall encompass the proposed PEZA-registered Eco-Tourism Zone, with the Fort Ilocandia Resort Hotel, Plaza del Norte Convenon Center, Calayab Sand Dunes and Laoag Internaonal Airport as support amenies.Awarded Honorary Local Chief Executive of the Year98

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The Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP) 2020-2029 guides the city towards its future physical, social and economic development and to hasten the city’s role as the commercial and tourism center of the North. It provides a framework for the objecves and strategies that need to be implemented to achieve the goals and realize the visions of BARO A LAOAG. A relevant aspect that requires equal aenon is the obligaon of the Local Government Unit to share with the naonal government the responsibility in the management and maintenance of ecological balance within its territorial jurisdicon. Pursuant to the Joint Memorandum Circular No. 98-01 of the Department of the Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), this administraon issued Execuve Order No. MMK-004 creang the City Technical Working Group (CTWG) for the Forest Land Use Plan (FLUP) Formulaon of the City of Laoag, Ilocos Norte with its main funcon to collaborate with the DENR in the collecon of data needed, themac mapping, community meeng and consultaon, data analysis and interpretaon, preparaon and nalizaon of the FLUP. Republic Act 7918 also known as “The Special Economic Zone Act of 1995” provides, among others, the establishment of special economic zones in suitable and strategic locaons in order to improve the level and quality of the living condion to people, especially in the rural areas, as well as to eecvely aract legimate and producve foreign investments. Pursuant to this Act, City Resoluon No. 2022-061 was enacted which granted the authority to the City Mayor to negoate for the acquision of parcels of land located in Brgy. 37 Calayab, this city, for the establishment of the Laoag City Economic Zone. An equally important tool for the implementaon of the approved Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP) 2020-2029 is the Integrated Zoning Ordinance of the City of Laoag which is a regulatory measure enacted through City Ordinance No. 2022-006. Local Government Units are mandated to mainstream disaster risk reducon and climate change adaptaon in development processes such as policy formulaon, socio-economic development planning, budgeng and governance, parcularly in the areas of environment, agriculture, water, energy, health, educaon, poverty reducon, land use and urban planning, and public infrastructure and housing. To strengthen the capacity of the City Government of Laoag together with partner stakeholders to build the disaster resilience of communies and to instuonalize arrangements and measures for reducing disaster risks, including projected climate risks and enhancing disaster preparedness and response capabilies at all levels, the City Disaster Risk Reducon and Management Council (CDRRMC) passed CDRRMC Resoluon No. 1, Series of 2022, entled “A Resoluon Adopng and Approving the 2022-2027 Local Disaster Risk and Reducon Management Plan and Favorably Endorsing the Same to the Sangguniang Panlungsod for Approval”, which was subsequently approved by the Sangguniang Panlungsod through City Resoluon No. 2022-113, Series of 2022. Republic Act No. 9003, or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2002 mandates, among others, the proper segregaon, collecon, transport, storage, treatment and disposal of solid waste through the formulaon and adopon of the best environmental pracce in ecological waste management excluding incineraon. During the past administraon, the DENR issued a “Cease and Desist Order” (CDO) to the City Government of Laoag pertaining to its supposed Sanitary Landll located in Brgy. 54-A Lagui-Sail, Laoag City, which upon vericaon was actually an open dumpsite. The City Government of Laoag, through this administraon, was le with no choice but to look for a more suitable area to contain a legimate and funconing Sanitary Landll for proper waste management. Through the collaborave eort of the Execuve and Legislave branches of the City Government of Laoag, the Laoag City Sanitary Landll was established in Brgy. 40 Balatong, Laoag City. The area was acquired through City Resoluon No. 2020-037 by the 11th Sangguniang Panlungsod giving authority to the City Mayor to negoate with the owners of the lots. City Ordinance No. 2021-025 was approved which appropriated an amount represenng the city’s share of the R.A. 7171 Excise Tax to nance the construcon of farm-to-market roads in seventeen (17) barangays in the city. These farm-to-market roads connect agricultural and shery areas to market which will allow our farmers and sherfolks to transport their goods with relave ease. In the year 2022, City Ordinance No. 2022-032 which appropriated funds from the city’s share in the R.A 7171 Excise Tax for the implementaon of the Priority Projects of the City Government of Laoag was approved.Awarded Honorary Local Chief Executive of the Year99

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Included in the Priority Projects is the Provision/ Installaon of eight (8) solar-powered irrigaon system (SPIS) in the dierent farming barangays in Laoag City. This is an irrigaon system powered by a renewable energy which is a useful implement for farmers to water their farmlands. With this irrigaon system, farmers in rain-fed areas will be able to produce o-season fruits and vegetables. To further enhance the capability of the city government in harnessing the power of renewable energy, the Project “LAWAG” for the City of Laoag (Solar Streetlighng) was conceived which aims to establish a lighng network in the major thoroughfares in this city through the use of solar energy. This project will not only carry the name of Laoag as “LAWAG” which means light, but also to lengthen the social and economic acvies of the people which eventually will enhance their quality of life. On the aspect of peace and order, the city government acvely implements plans and programs geared towards the upkeep of safety and security of the people in the city. To put an end to dynamite shing, the Oce of the City Mayor, the PNP Marime Group, the Philippine Coast Guard, the Oce of the City Agriculturist and the City Disaster Risk Reducon and Management Oce conducted a covert operaon resulng in the apprehension of the perpetrators of dynamite shing in the coastal waters of Brgy. La Paz, this city, pung an end to the deliberate destrucon of the marine ecosystem on that poron of the western seaboard. A monthly meeng of the City Peace and Order Commiee (CPOC) and the City An-Drug Abuse Council (CADAC) is being conducted that is aended by the Heads of Oces of the city government as well as representaves of naonal government agencies that hold oce in the city and other stakeholders to share updates on the peace and order situaon of the city. Police visibility is a paramount consideraon to deter commission of crimes and to strengthen community relaons. PNP checkpoints are being conducted regularly to enforce circulaon control measures and other laws, orders and/or regulaons. A Deed of Usufruct entered into by and between the City Government of Laoag and the Philippine Coast Guard provided the laer with a government lot situated in Brgy. 32-B La Paz West, this city, where the laer will establish its base of operaon. It is strategically located at the very center of the seaside barangays for faster response to eventualies needing their service. The illegal drugs problem in the city is at its low due to the apprehension of idened drug personalies in the city. Most of the barangays have been cleared of illegal drugs due to the joint eort of the Philippine Naonal Police (PNP) and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA). With the establishment of the “Balay Silangan”, the City Government will now have a place for the rehabilitaon of drug oenders. Acceding to the request of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), the city government of Laoag is presently looking for a government lot for the relocaon of the BJMP. In light of the conduct of the “Balikatan” Military Exercises, LtCol Anna Marie Holmes of the United States Marine Corp visited the Oce of the City Mayor for a courtesy call and gave updates on the ongoing joint military exercises between the Philippines and the United States of America. As the “Ama  Ciudad” (Father of the City), it is incumbent upon Mayor Keon’s administraon to ensure that the essenal services are delivered to the people and that their basic needs are fully addressed. For the full term of his incumbency, it is his hopes and wishes to see this city as a place where people of this generaon and future generaons can live in peace, prosperity and dignity in relaon to the full commitment to the 17 Sustainable Development Goals set by the United Naons.Awarded Honorary Local Chief Executive of the Year100

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NATION BUILDERSHe was already safely ensconced in a job he had grown to love. It was a job for which he came well prepared. Ay. Carlo Jose Marnez was a praccing lawyer in a prominent law rm in Manila before accepng the posion of Deputy Commissioner at the Naonal Telecommunicaons Commission (NTC) in Metro Manila. Work at the NTC was quite challenging but predictable. He was already in his comfort zone. Thus, when his father who was already in his last term as mayor of the City of Bogo, Cebu asked him to come home to take his soon-to-be vacated shoes and follow in his footsteps, his heart grew heavy. For why should he leave a career anchored on solid ground and trade it for a life of service oang on the shiing sands of polics? But public service ran deep in the family bloodline. The family of her grandmother had dominated Masbate polics. His father, Celesno Marnez, Jr., was mayor of Bogo for more than 14 straight years and congressman for 11 years where he authored RA 7160, or the Local Government Code of 1991. His mother was member of the Cebu provincial board and, later, became a member of the Philippine Congress. There was no way the lawyer could escape his desny in becoming the Mayor of the City of Bogo in 2016. Having seen the poverty of people in the countryside his rst impulse was to give preferenal aenon to social services. But as Bogo was then a young city when he took the reins from his father, he also saw the real need to make the city look like a real city through infrastructure and local economic development. His snt at the NTC has also made him aware that smart cies are the logical wave of the future for local government units. Thus, begun his personal journey of making sure the local budget is judiciously apporoned on the priories he has set for the City of Bogo.AWARDED HONORARYLOCAL CHIEF EXECUTIVEOF THE YEARATTY. CARLO JOSE A. MARTINEZMAYOR, CITY OF BOGO DESTINED MAYOR OF THE CITY OF BOGO AND THE FRUITS OF HIS LABOR THAT WILL LAST GENERATIONS101

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REALIZATION OF THE DREAM - MAKING THE CITYOF BOGO A SMART CITY Through his leadership with the support of his City Council led by Vice Mayor Maria Cielo Marnez, the City of Bogo is now home to a 50-kilometer industry grade 48-core ber opc network infrastructure a rst of its kind in the country. This is acng as a digital superhighway connecng 17 barangays, 17 public schools, government facilies, and private service ulies and enterprises for a seamless management and monitoring that powers the city’s 169 HD CCTV Cameras, Trac Lights System, Emergency and Alarm System, over 60 VOIP Telephony System, four Digital LED Informaon Billboards, Public Address Systems, Internet Access Points and various other internet of things (IOT) devices and soware all integrated and kept running by city’s Command Center. The city now enjoys an organized trac ow parcularly along the main thoroughfares with an intelligent trac system. Emergency response through the Command Center translates to rapid and mely emergency medical response by the city’s Emergency Operaons Center. The city’s public safety program is fored by real-me camera system which are also tucked with air polluon censors capable of determining air quality for gauging air polluon levels. Furthermore, rain gauges are also installed which determine amounts of rainfall to ancipate ooding in localized sites, a valuable data for managing risks along ood-prone barangays. Bogo City is among the few to ulize voice over internet protocol (VOIP)-based telephone system. With his forward thinking, and big dreams for the City of Bogo, Mayor Marnez see it t that the City invest in ber opc connecvity owing to its wide range of support to increase economic development such as improved internet speeds than tradional copper networks for the needs of remote workers, students, and teachers who access large amounts of data or use bandwidth-intensive applicaons, businesses needing constant and reliable connecon with customers and partners aracng new investments that lead to creaon of jobs. High speed internet helps bridge the digital divide and provide more access to government services, educaon, and health care.Awarded Honorary Local Chief Executive of the Year102

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Social services were among his top concerns upon assumpon to oce. But he also realized that if Bogo must earn respect when she takes her seat among the table of cies then she must look respectable. With some of his chosen personnel, he personally inspected all the roads in the city, including those in the highest mountains and farthest barangays. No road was ever too far or too bad for their dirt bikes. He would come home full of dirt and many who knew of the adventures and misadventures, just passed it o as one of the typical hobbies of “those rich kids.” They thought that like typical brats he would soon grow bored with it. Lile did they know that while it seemed the group was only having fun, he was actually taking note of roads that need to be concreted, new ones to be opened, schools needing repairs or needing decent toilets, schools needing new classrooms; even places that have the potenal of being economic growth points. His budget ocer who was forced to tag along, did not even know of the real move why he always had to go with the mayor. It was only much later that he realized the real reason: so that he would be able to appreciate the importance of roads and, thus, be more open to resort to radical budget measures that would redirect local funds according to his new priories. His hands-on management style and adeptness at crunching and remembering numbers were a great advantage to his being an eecve chief execuve. His ability too to work with those in the legislave department helped a lot in geng his iniaves gain immediate tracon. Thus, during his rst term as mayor, he was able to concrete 27,773 kilometers of roads, rehabilitated another almost 50 kilometers. He was also able to accomplish during his term the repair of classrooms and build new ones. This aenon to educaon was on top of the 1,239 scholars his administraon was able to send to schools. The scholarship program was actually an iniave started by his father but he increased the allocaons in order to accommodate more students and bigger allowances to enable students keep up with the escalang costs of educaon. CITY ROADS AND SCHOOLSAwarded Honorary Local Chief Executive of the Year103

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HEALTH AND OTHER SOCIAL SERVICES Under his leadership, quality healthcare services are not only aorded by the wealthy and able. Through the City Health Oce, connued availability of health programs for the community in whatever age and status is ensured through the free consultaon and free maintenance medicine program especially for the senior cizens and those with diabetes and hypertension. On top of this, Vital services such as Medical, Dental, Agricultural, Veterinary, Beauty Care and Wellness, Informaon Disseminaon on Responsible Parenthood and Family Planning among other services have never been closer to the people in the grassroots because of the connued implementaon of the Serbisyo sa Barangay Program a brainchild of the young Mayor Marnez which he calls service to all wherever in Bogo the Bogohanons may be. In 2013, the City of Bogo is among the localies badly struck by Super typhoon Yolanda. Heavy lessons were learned. It is among the priority of Ay. Carlo Jose Marnez to ensure that the City entrusted to him is resilient and will always be ready in the unfortunate event of calamies. Through the City of Bogo Disaster Risk Reducon and Management Oce, in partnership with NGOs like the Philippine Red Cross, Barangay ocials, every Bogohanon household is equipped with Emergency Response tools through the Family Based BDRRM. As a young city, funds are limited but through intelligent nancing and spending, the Mayor was able to make do with what the City has. The City of Bogo now houses 4 Ambulances, 2 Fire Trucks, 2 Water Tanker that is also used for re response, 4 Rescue Motorcycles, 1 Pick Hilux RV 1 with extricaon equipment and 2 Rescue boat used and turned over to Bantay Dagat. The City’s Emergency Operaons Center is home to a number of innovave equipment and systems to ensure that emergency response is done eecvely and eciently. Under Mayor Carlo’s care, the City of Bogo becomes one of the most innovave and ecient LGUs in terms of Responsiveness, Resiliency, and Disaster management thus making it a Gawad Kalasag Awardee in 2022.GOING THE EXTRA MILE FOR DISASTER RISK REDUCTION AND MANAGEMENT RESILIENCY AND RESPONSIVENESSAwarded Honorary Local Chief Executive of the Year104

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NATION BUILDERSSalvador G. Escalante Jr. was elected as mayor of Cadiz City in 2019. Before becoming mayor, he served as a Punong Barangay and also held various posions in the government such as Board Member for the 2nd District of Negros Occidental.Like most of the newly elected ocials of this Cadiz City, Mayor Escalante believes that he has been re-elected for a purpose. The people who have chosen him have ordained him for this not to do something spectacular or to do something dramac but because of his consistency. The mayor strongly believes that it is our people’s birthright to demand to give them a government that they can believe in, a government that they can truly rely on…a government that is consistent. This is what he connually proves as he leads Cadiz City. Once considered a “No Man’s Land”, the Dalayapan Eco Park used to be a rebel’s nest. Located at Sio Aluyan, a remote and rural area in Brgy. Caduhaan, Cadiz City, the locals were no strangers to arms struggle and violence. Poverty and social inequality served as the seedbed of the communist ideology and like moths to ames, the locals were gradually drawn into the communist movement. True to the promise of Mayor Salvador “Bading” G. Escalante, Jr. to ‘bring the government closer to the people’, a farm-to-market road project was realized. Through these, the city has opened opportunies, a public-school building was rehabilitated, and agricultural enhancements were done.AWARDED HONORARYLOCAL CHIEF EXECUTIVEOF THE YEARHON. SALVADOR G. ESCALANTE, JR.MAYOR, CITY GOVERNMENT OF CADIZ, NEGROS OCCIDENTALFROM GUNS TO PENS105

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STRENGTHENING SOCIAL PROGRAMS The mayor has implemented various social programs to support vulnerable groups, including women, children, and the elderly. The City Government of Cadiz, headed by Mayor Escalante has turned over LGU-funded ulity vehicles, farm machinery, and equipment to 32 farmers’ associaons. These machines are the next step in farm modernizaon which will help the local farmers as they aim to increase the quanty and improve the quality of rice producon which will boost agriculture in the city. The City connues to provide the farmers with various farm implements and equipment to lessen their producon costs and make their products marketable despite the rising cost to do business. The administraon is willing to take and absorb the brunt of inaon to protect the farmers and inspire them to connue their farming acvies. It will construct greenhouses for our vegetable farmers, rice mills, dryers and warehouses for our rice farmers, and more inputs for our sherfolks to ensure that the City is food sucient and secure at all mes. This is not an empty promise, but one that is already being done even as he speaks. For ve years, the Cadiz City Health Oce has been doing a project called PROJECT BADING or “BUSONG ATON DEPENSAHAN, IKAAYONG LAWAS SANG NANAY GINATIPIGAN” by distribung to pregnant and lactang mothers from the 22 barangays. This is a program to help mothers in Cadiz. In addion, there are a total of 869 beneciaries who received groceries and food. The distribuon is led by Mayor Escalante whose one of the priories is to deliver the best nutrion programs and improve the nutrional status of every Cadiznon. Because of this and many other projects, the Regional Nutrion Oce VI with the conferment of the Naonal Nutrion Council awarded the Green Banner Seal of Compliance to Cadiz City for its exemplary performance in the implementaon of nutrion programs that is aligned with the Philippine Plan of Acon for Nutrion.HEALTH FOR ALLAwarded Honorary Local Chief Executive of the Year107

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ENHANCING PUBLIC SAFETYPROMOTING TOURISMSUPPORTING LOCAL BUSINESSESGENDER EQUALITYKEEPING HIS WORD AT WORKSWIFT AND DECISIVE GOVERNANCE The mayor has increased police presence in the city and implemented a system to improve safety. From the start of his oce, he inslls in constuents that there is more to it than just mere compliance with our laws by spearheading advocacy campaigns in our communies. Aer all, genuine peace and order come from the strength of character and not from fear of the law. In his leadership, the city has received recognion as a naonal awardee for An-drug abuse performance. The city is one of the LGUs in Western Visayas which have been recognized as the best performing and most eecve An-Drug Abuse Councils in this year’s ADAC Awards. He made his promise public on his rst day of oce: “To all of you my beloved Cadiznons, this I promise: I shall remain true and consistent to the Cadiznon ideals. I shall create more employment opportunies. I shall aract more businesses to invest in our City. I shall champion the protecon of our environment, I shall promote food security and suciency, I shall open more avenues for public and private sector collaboraon during my tenure and I shall promote eciency in government service. I shall do this with a steady hand. I may cause inconvenience, and somemes, damage to some, but I shall do this truthfully, faithfully, and with utmost loyalty to our City.” Cadiz City is blessed to have a city mayor and a public servant that gives importance to the arts. Mayor Escalante is a leader that is concerned with the lives of the youthful souls in his City. It might seem rare, but it is enlivening to have one very sincere person embrace the world of arts for his people. Mayor Salvador Escalante Jr., an art enthusiast himself, is parcularly proud of the many young and up-and-coming local arsts in Cadiz. As he connues to provide a venue to improve their cra, the good mayor upholds that if we spend money on basketball, badminton, and fun runs, we should also invest in our local arsts and give them livelihood. The mayor has launched programs to support small and medium-sized businesses in the city and aract new investment. His administraon connues to open new opportunies for investments and create more incenve packages, parcularly for the MSMEs and the transportaon sector. Mayor Escalante is beginning to instuonalize common-use facilies and will extend government grants for those who are willing to adapt to environment-friendly and energy-ecient modes of public transportaon, such as the E-Tricycle. The ongoing eorts and backing from the local government for gender equality include a variety of acvies, including tackling cultural and social standards that perpetuate gender stereotypes, ensuring access to healthcare, and developing laws that guarantee women’s rights were upheld.Regardless of their sexual orientaon or gender identy, all people were treated with respect and dignity in Cadiz, which promotes a culture of inclusion. With this goal in mind, the Cadiz government, under the direcon of Mayor Escalante, successfully carried out various acvies, such as the Symposium on An-Bastos Law & HIV Awareness: A Symposium on the Safe Spaces Act, which ensures a person’s sense of personal space and public safety. The government of Cadiz also extended its care to its neighboring cies with a Free HIV Tesng and Counseling program. The provincial launch of Internaonal Women’s Month, which drew more than 800 aendees, was a signicant phenomenon that the city organized and sponsored. For being the most recepve and well-aended program, the city and Mayor Escalante were recognized. With his advocacy for women’s rights, support for women-led groups, and amplicaon of the voices of women and marginalized genders, Mayor Escalante demonstrates his support for the empowerment of women. The mayor plays a crical role in the city’s governance and development. Swi and decisive governance can be benecial for a city’s progress and success, especially in mes of crisis or emergencies. He has been able to address urgent issues eecvely and eciently, leading to posive outcomes for the city and its residents.Awarded Honorary Local Chief Executive of the Year108

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NATION BUILDERSThe Local Government Unit (LGU) of Silay City is currently in the process of nalizing its Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP). It seeks to materialize the LGU’s vision for its land resources, and it allocates available land resources for dierent sectors of the populaon. Through the City Planning and Development Oce (CPDO) headed by Arch. Giovanni Guzon, the LGU of Silay is also preparing the needed maps, and documents to update our zoning ordinance. The Project Development Division, Administrave Division, and Planning Division of the CPDO are connually gathering data from various government oces to complete our CLUP. Simultaneously, we have also nished preparing our City Development Plan (CDP) for 2017-2022, Execuve-Legislave Agenda (ELA) for 2023-2025, and Annual Investment Plan (AIP) for 2023. Our very ecient DRRM oce headed by Ret. P/SUPT. Alexander Muñoz has shown professionalism and commitment from the very start of my administraon. Our DRRM personnel are anchored with their core principles of prevenon & migaon, preparedness, response, and rehabilitaon & recovery. For our DRRMO to funcon eecvely throughout a 24-hour operaon, we provided them with addional transport vehicles and other emergency response resources. We have also increased the manpower of this oce to cater the needs of all Silaynons. Emergency response training has also been intensied, addional protecve gear and accessories were given to protect all responders and keep them safe at all mes. AWARDED HONORARYLOCAL CHIEF EXECUTIVEOF THE YEARHON. JOEDITH C. GALLEGOMAYOR, CITY GOVERNMENT OF SILAY, NEGROS OCCIDENTAL109

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Our DRRMO also works closely with our City Planning & Development Oce to nalize our Climate and Disaster Risk Assessment (CDRA) which provides the necessary planning informaon to supplement our CLUP process. It also enforces the process of developing a Comprehensive Development Plan (CDP) by idenfying priority decision areas that must be addressed Besides linking or connecng to various government oces, our DRRMO also reaches out to dierent sub-sectors of our community. An inventory of Disaster Preparedness Capacity was conducted throughout all 16 Barangays of Silay City. We have also conducted First Aid & Basic Life Support as well as Water Emergencies Training for the barangay tanods, rescue volunteers, and sta of various barangays. These acvies are all in consonance with our Disaster Preparedness programs. In mes of calamity and disaster, our DRRMO is always quick to respond to the weather forecast. We see to it that every Silaynons are safe and well-protected. All forces and teams are always ready to provide great service. Our evacuaon sites and command centers are also operaonal and acve 24/7. Operaonal brieng, assessment of possible risks & impacts, and public advisory acvies are executed eecvely to ensure the protecon of our constuents. Through the various seminars and training that responders have gone through, they are already equipped with the right knowledge of what they need to do. To ensure that the streets of the City are clean, hazard-free, and safe aer every calamity, our DRRMO conducts clearing operaons to restore normal road access. Damage reports and project proposals are formulated for the rehabilitaon and improvement of any damaged structures to reduce their impacts on the aected communies and to improve economic/livelihood access. During the celebraon of Naonal Disaster Resilience Month, our DRRMO conducted Informaon Educaon Campaign on Disaster Preparedness and Awareness among selected community responders, volunteers, and DRRM Personnel. The topics include an introducon to Disaster Risk Reducon Management, Common Hazards, and Securing Families. Last November 23, 2023, Silay City DRRM Oce headed by our Disaster Chairman (DRRMC) Mayor Joedith C. Gallego received the 22nd Gawad Kalasag Naonal Excellence Award at Diversion 21 Hotel, Iloilo City. The City of Silay was awarded as “Fully Compliant” with the standards set by the OCD-NDRRMC. The City was represented by our LDRRM Ocer Ret. P/SUPT. Alexander A. Muñoz.DISASTER PREPAREDNESS, RISK REDUCTION, CRISIS MANAGEMENT, AND RESILIENCYAwarded Honorary Local Chief Executive of the Year110

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INFRASTRUCTURE AND SERVICE CONNECTIVITY TO THE PUBLIC (ACCESS ROADS) One of my priority projects in Silay City is to provide the needed access roads to our constuents especially those who reside in remote and far-ung areas. I strongly believe that these enhanced access roads will open more prospects for new and long-term establishments, healthcare facilies, educaonal instuons, public transit, and public ulies. With the support of the City Engineer’s Oce under the supervision of Engr. Elmer Kent Torres, we have formulated Program of Works (POWs) for the repair and/or construcon of access roads all over the City. Access roads are parcularly vital in the connuous development of a city. For instance, it is necessary in supporng agricultural development. A good network of access or rural roads can help agricultural acvies by ensuring that water, seeds, and other agricultural raw materials reach farmers on me. The presence of roads in rural areas increases labor and material mobility, expanding the realm of rural livelihood beyond the rural producon limit. Rural roads typically result in lower travel mes, and the me saved allows those who are indigent to be more producve and earn more money. Furthermore, increased road connecvity can help improve rural masses’ access to educaon services. People can travel to nearby towns and cies to obtain beer and higher educaon, which may lead to beer job prospects. Our highways cannot connect every area of our city. There are areas like industrial zones, business hubs, commercial places, and residenal areas that remain cut o from our main highways. Nonetheless, the access roads we will build will link those localies with the highways. We intend to connect isolated locaons to major highways so we can signicantly reduce trac on our highways by ulizing our local expressways.Awarded Honorary Local Chief Executive of the Year111

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MOBILITY FOR AFFORDABLE, ACCESSIBLE, AND SAFE TRANSPORT SYSTEM FOR ALLPUBLIC PROTECTION AND SAFETY (PEACE AND ORDER) Situated in the heart of the 3rd district, Silay City is the bridge between various cies and municipalies. With this, we have strategized an accessible and safe transport system for all with the assistance of our Silay City Trac Division headed by PEMS Joemarie D. Lachica. In addion, we have provided our personnel in the Trac Division with the needed resources for their work to be easy and ecient. We have also turned over new uniforms, gear, and ponchos to our trac enforcers. To connually address the transportaon concerns in our city, we regularly conduct inspecons and assessments of proposed tricycle routes for drop-o or pickup. We also conduct constant meengs with the elected ocers of the Silay City Jeepney Operator and Drivers Associaon. The Silay City Trac Division also supports the various events of the city that needs trac management. Among the events or acvies that they have assisted are the following: 1st Mayor Joedith C Gallego & Vice Mayor Tom Ledesma Speed Fesval, 1st Abang Lingkod Masskara Cycling Road Race, 1st Lantawan Endurance Run, 3rd Silay Cops Fun Run, Mental Health Run; Run for a Healthy Mind, and SRACC Halloween Fun Run. Every month, PLTCOL Mark Anthony D. Darroca and PEMS Joemarie D. Lachica recognize the Top Performing Trac Enforcers that did the extra mile to serve our constuents. Currently, we are also draing and nalizing an ordinance designang the Local Public Transportaon Route Plan (LPTRP) within the territorial jurisdicon of Silay City and providing penales and appropriang funds for the purpose. The purpose of this ordinance is to establish a transportaon route plan for road safety purposes, specically to give soluons to the prevalent problems of vehicular-related accidents in the City; to ensure the safety of motorists and pedestrians as well as the convenience of the riding public, and to aain the smooth and orderly ow of trac along naonal roads. Every week, PLTCOL Mark Anthony Darroca conducts regular sta conferences and Enhanced Managing Police Operaons (EMPO) to improve the services of our Police Ocers. One of the ongoing programs of our Police Staon is the Community Based Drug Rehabilitaon Program (CBDRP) led by PMAJ Rhea Sarah A. Villanueva, DCOP. The rehabilitaon program is assisted by the City Health Oce and dierent Barangay Councils. Last February 15, we conducted the Groundbreaking Ceremony for the Construcon of the New Silay Component City Police Staon. We are grateful for the support of the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Oce, Police Regional Oce, and Police Community Aairs and Development Group (PCADG) Western Visayas. Among the other acvies of our Silay City Police Staon are the following: Informaon Drive to the passersby along San Diego Parish Church and Silay City Public Plaza. This iniave was spearheaded by the Women and Children’s Protecon Desk (WCPD) team headed by Ms. Pat Marjorie Manlangit. We also have our “Armas Baylo Bugas” project. This project aims to recover all loose rearms and explosives within the area of responsibility to lessen incidents involving loose rearms. Last February 11, we also conducted a “Love Run” for all running enthusiasts to promote a healthy lifestyle. Last January 28, our police staon together with the AVSEGroup of Silay headed by PMAJ Deejay Domingo, Chief BSAPS, and in coordinaon with Ptr. Rolly Cadahing conducted an outreach program at Hacienda Gina, Brgy. Guimbala-on, Silay City. The WCPD and Police Community Aairs and Development (PCAD) team distributed about 70 pairs of slippers to the residents along with the best pracce of this staon; “Pa-Ice Cream ni Chief”. The said acvity had a total of 100 beneciaries. Next month, our Police Staon will conduct a bloodleng acvity with the theme “Dugong Pulis, Dugong Bigay, Sagip Buhay” at Silay Component City Police Staon. As the Local Chief Execuve of Silay City, it is my responsibility to ensure the safety, protecon, and general welfare of all Silaynons. Thus, peace and order play an important role in my administraon. To ensure the public of local police presence, we have increased our police force’s resources and mobility with new equipment and standardized vehicles. Under the supervision of PLTCOL Mark Anthony D. Daroca, our Silay City PNP received various achievements on Illegal Gambling Operaons, Drug Operaons, and was even awarded as “Top Performing Component City Police Staon” with an accumulated rang of 90.83 in the Province-Wide Unit Performance Rang (UPER). Last year, we conducted a simultaneous Oath-Taking, Donning, and Pinning of Ranks of 2nd Level Uniformed Personnel (PCPL-PMAJ) under CY 2022 Regular Promoon Program. Nineteen (19) of our Silay City Police Staon personnel were promoted. Recently, seventy-ve (75) of our police ocers graduated the Special Weapons and Taccs (SWAT) Training. They were presented with cercates and were pinned with SWAT Badge aer compleng a grueling three-month training held at Brgy. E. Lopez, Silay City. The closing ceremony was held last February 21, 2023, at the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Oce (NOCPPO) Camp. Chiefs of Police, Local Government Heads, Public Ocials, Stakeholders, and loved ones of the graduates gathered to witness the said ceremony.Awarded Honorary Local Chief Executive of the Year112

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NATION BUILDERSCity Mayor Jose Carlos L. Cari, also known as “Mayor Boeing” to his constuents, epitomizes an outstanding public servant who has dedicated his life to serving his constuents. City Mayor Cari himself has made signicant contribuons to the development of Baybay City. His visionary leadership, unyielding commitment to public service, and passion to beer the lives of his constuents, especially the underprivileged communies, have earned him the respect and admiraon of Baybayanons. For over a decade, he has held various posions in the government, including being a barangay captain and president of the Liga ng Barangay, a municipal councilor, a municipal mayor, a congressman, and now a city mayor. Mayor Cari’s leadership skills and passion for service have made him one of the most admired leaders in the region. Mayor Cari’s accomplishments as a public servant are numerous and far-reaching. One of his most notable achievements are his eorts to enhance the city’s infrastructure, such as roads, bridges, barangay facilies, and other public buildings. In his term as city mayor, he has pushed for the establishment of bantay-dagat outposts, one of the signicant eorts to ensure the undisturbed improvement of marine sanctuaries. Other major infrastructure projects include the establishment of the Philippine Naonal Police (PNP) and the Bureau of Fire Protecon (BFP) sub-staons in strategic locaons around the city, the rehabilitaon of the city’s terminal and public market, the rehabilitaon of the water system in the city, the installaon of a water system in areas where access to drinking water has been dicult, and the establishment of mul-purpose buildings in several barangays.AWARDED HONORARYLOCAL CHIEF EXECUTIVEOF THE YEARHON. JOSE CARLOS L. CARIMAYOR, CITY GOVERNMENT OF BAYBAY, LEYTE113On Establishing Climate-Resilient Infrastructures

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Another noteworthy project of Mayor Cari is the ongoing construcon of addional health facilies. These include facilies such as the Blood Collecng Unit and the Super Health Center, including the procurement of diagnosc equipment such as MRI and CT Scan now installed at the new Immaculate Concepon Hospital (ICH), the establishment of which shall ensure that Baybayons, as well as people from the neighboring towns, will soon have access to adequate primary healthcare services. Throughout his leadership, the city has undergone signicant development which has improved the lives of its residents. This development is especially reected in the establishment of several recreaonal parks around the city alone which has prompted the sproung of various small food businesses, and the burgeoning number of local tourists, resulng in a thriving economic acvity. Right aer Tropical Storm Megi (also known as Tropical Storm Agaton), Mayor Cari himself reached out to dierent agencies in an eort of ensuring the rehabilitaon and reselement of the families displaced in the aermath of the disaster. Months aer the onslaught of TS Agaton, the city government, with the aid of agencies such as the Oce of the Civil Defense (OCD) and the Internaonal Organizaon for Migraon (IOM), funded by the United States Agency for Internaonal Development (USAID), was able to provide forty (40) permanent housing units and one hundred y-ve (155) temporary shelters to the vulnerable households of Barangay Mailhi and Barangay Kantagnos, respecvely. Furthermore, to ensure that families currently residing in temporary shelters are not le behind, the City Mayor entered into agreements with private corporaons such as San Miguel Corporaon for addional permanent housing units on parcels of land purchased by the city government for the purpose.ON ENSURING HIGH-QUALITY SHELTERS FOR DISPLACED FAMILIESAwarded Honorary Local Chief Executive of the Year114

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Awarded Honorary Local Chief Executive of the Year115 As a champion and advocate of the agricultural sector, one of his key priories has been to guarantee the implementaon of sustainable agrarian programs in upland and rural areas of Baybay City. This led to various programs such as the following: 1. Climate-Resilient Integrated Crop Management Project (CRICM), where vegetable farmers received training and other tools to ensure their crops will not be suscepble to climate changes; 2. Cercaon of Good Agricultural Pracces (GAP) farms; 3. Rehabilitaon and enhancement of marine sanctuaries; 4. Creaon of lapia farms in various upland barangays and establishment of lapia breeding farms; and 5. Creaon of the Root Crop Processing Center to encourage and support the local root crop farmers. These are but a few of the programs that, according to the city mayor, will help promote food security and ensure sucient availability of fresh and nutrious food in Baybay City.ON ADVOCATING FOR SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE Baybay City has always been known as a major producer of copra and its industry is one of the mayor producers of virgin coconut oil. Copra is a major livelihood for coconut farmers in the city. In order to guarantee that local “copra” farmers have alternate sources of livelihood, such as root crop farming, Mayor Boeing himself highly encouraged the development of various high-value food products sourced from the sweet potato crop. This iniave is targeted not only to increase the local crop producon to help root crop farmers, but is also aimed to address malnourishment among children aged 0-59 months old. This led to the creaon of baby food and milk for lactang mothers made from sweet potato puree. Developing these aordable and nutrious food and milk products has indeed helped to increase the demand for sweet potato as a raw material for these products, and ensuring a steady market for the city’s local root crop farmers.

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To further strengthen and promote the city’s local tourism, aside from establishing recreaonal parks and preserving natural sites, Mayor Cari has also consistently advocated the preservaon of cultural heritage sites in the city. The Local Government Unit is working hand in hand with the Diocese of Maasin and the University of Santo Tomas to restore and preserve the Church of San Isidro Labrador, built between 1634-1650, and the 18th century Immaculate Concepon Parish Church of Baybay City. These eorts of the city government are reected in the rising demand for pilgrimage tours from local and foreign tourists alike. In 2022, the rst School for the Arts in Region 8 was established in Baybay City. This special program is the brainchild of the City Mayor himself, in partnership with the Visayas State University (VSU) and the Department of Educaon (DepEd). Mayor Cari wanted to provide a space for Baybayanons of all ages to hone their talents and skills, whether it be in visual arts or music, or even dance. The objecve is for the city to produce world-class arsts and talents who will represent Baybay City in numerous art shows and compeons. Mayor Cari’s many visions for the city are gradually coming to fruion. His utmost support towards strengthening the local tourism industry is rooted in his goals of not only promong the city as an aracve tourist desnaon, but also in bringing signicant economic benets and creang livelihoods for the locals. Various tourism infrastructures have been built, such as pasalubong centers, recreaonal parks, and shrines, and these have been improved over the years to ensure the industry’s sustainability for the benet of tourists and most especially of Baybayanons. Throughout his me as the City Mayor of Baybay, Mayor Boeing has always shown a hands-on approach to governance, which involves being acvely involved in the day-to-day operaons of the city. He is oen seen personally inspecng nished and on-going projects, vising dierent barangays, listening to the concerns of residents, and implemenng soluons to their problems. His leadership style has earned him the respect and admiraon of his constuents, who view him as a caring and dedicated public servant. Mayor Cari’s leadership style has always encouraged inclusivity. He believes that everyone has a role to play in the development of the city and that everyone’s voice should be heard. He has implemented various programs involving dierent societal sectors, such as the youth, women, and senior cizens. He believes that involving dierent sectors can make the city’s development more inclusive and sustainable. Mayor Boeing’s brand of leadership, his far-reaching vision for the city, and his passion to beer the lives of his constuents, is undoubtedly the engine that drives the progress and development of Baybay City.ON PRESERVING CULTURAL HERITAGE SITES, SUPPORTING THE ARTS, AND STRENGTHENING THE LOCAL TOURISM INDUSTRYON MAYOR BOEING’S LEADERSHIPAwarded Honorary Local Chief Executive of the Year116

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NATION BUILDERSMayor Caesar S. Dy, Jr. is the newly-elected City Mayor of Cauayan City, Province of Isabela. Mayor “Jaycee” or “JC”, as he is fondly called, assumed public oce in 2017 as the Sectoral Representave of Agriculture of the City Council, with signicant accomplishments that aimed to strengthen the backbone of Cauayan City, the agriculture sector, by advocang iniaves to promote smart and sustainable agriculture. Such accomplishments made him as one of the recipients of the Outstanding Councilor of the Year award in 2022. As he ladders up in his polical journey, with so much energy and passion, it is his aim to give all sectors of the community equal access to the services of the government. Living up to his tagline “Serbisyong Laging ReaDY” and promote good governance at the grassroot level, while connuously bringing Cauayan City at the limelight as an ICON in the Philippines, as the Innovave City of the North. Above all, in his snt as the new Local Chief Execuve, it is his advocacy to insll not only among the cizens of Cauayan but anyone who visits the city, the City of Cauayan will always be by the people and for the people. In his pursuit of public service, while the city connues to progress, he will always carry with him the promise of “Una Ka Dito,” where each person is given priority and where each Proud Cauayeño is valued. AWARDED HONORARYLOCAL CHIEF EXECUTIVEOF THE YEARHON. CAESAR “JC” S. DY, JR.MAYOR, CAUAYAN CITY“Serbisyong Laging ReaDY”117

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Serbisyong Laging ReaDYPara sa Agrikultura Simula noong ako’y umupo sa konseho taong 2017, ang prayoridad at pangunahing proyekto nan ay ang pagpapalakas ng sektor ng agrikultura upang maiangat ang antas at kabuhayan ng mga kasamahan nang magsasaka. Tayo ay nagbigay ng iba’t-ibang tulong at suporta sa ang mga magsasaka gaya ng Portasol mul-purpose solar drying trays at assorted vegetable seeds, farm inputs at nancial assistance bilang tulong sa mga magsasakang nasalanta ng bagyo. Nakapag-abot din tayo ng livelihood assistance sa 77 magsasakang naapektuhan ng African Swine Fever sa ilalim ng Integrated Naonal Swine Producon Iniave for Recovery and Expansion o INSPIRE Program. Upang palakasin ang ang adbokasiyang ipalaganap ang Smart Farming o Smart Agriculture sa lungsod, isinagawa nan ang technology demonstraon upang maturuan ang ang magsasaka sa paggamit ng agricultural drone sprayer sa iba’t-ibang baranggay. Pinasinayaan din nan ang groundbreaking ceremony ng itatayo nang New Smart Agriculture Building sa Barangay Tagaran. Layunin ng proyektong ito na makapagbigay ng modernong teknolohiya at imprastraktura para matulungan ang ang mga magsasaka na mapalago ang kanilang ani upang maipagpatuloy nang maiangat ang antas ng sektor ng agrikultura.Awarded Honorary Local Chief Executive of the Year118

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Serbisyong Laging ReaDY Para sa KalusuganSerbisyong Laging ReaDY Para sa EdukasyonSerbisyong Laging ReaDY Para sa Kaayusan Isa sa mga pangunahing prayoridad ng pamahalaang lungsod ang protektahan ang kalusugan ng bawat Cauayeño. Kaagapay ang Rotary Club of Cauayan at Philippine Red Cross, nagkaroon tayo ng so inauguraon ng kauna-unahang Cauayan City Blood Bank na itatayo sa Central Terminal sa Barangay Cabaruan. Layunin ng programang ito na magkaroon ng readily-available, accessible at sapat na magpagkukuhanan ng supply ng dugo, tulong hindi lamang para sa mga residente ng lungsod kundi pa na rin ang mga naninirahan sa karag bayan. Ang pamahalaang lungsod ay nagsagawa ng Opcal Mission for Visual Healthcare kung saan 200 beneciaries ang nabigyan ng free eye consultaon, laboratory services at free eyeglasses. Tayo rin ay nakiisa sa Rotary Club of Cauayan sa pamimigay ng mga libreng bitamina para sa higit-kumulang 2,500 mga estudyante ng Cauayan North Central School sa Barangay Turayong. Ngayong 2023 ay matagumpay din nang inilunsad ang kauna-unahang Digital Healthcare Management System at Digital X-ray. Ito ay all-in-one portable diagnosc device na magagamit sa pagkuha ng ECG, blood pressure, pulse, at blood sugar. It has a management system that will create the database containing the medical prole of the residents of Cauayan, that can be useful in order to help the LGU in idenfying the priority health needs of our constuents through data analycs. This project will supplement our Mobile Clinic which will soon operate so that health assistance can be further extended to the remote barangays. Ipinatupad din nan ang Expanded Scholarship Program kung saan tayo ay nakapagbigay ng educaonal assistance sa 35,497 elementary, junior high school at senior high school students ng Department of Educaon-Schools Division Oce. Through the iniave of the Schools Division of Cauayan City, we ocially launched the Project Caesar-JC which stands for Calibrated, Advanced and Enhanced Support to Accelerate Reading Journey of Every Cauayeño. This program aims to increase and achieve 100% literacy rate in the City of Cauayan by addressing the gaps in the reading capacity of our learners. This is in line with the Every Child a Reader and Bawat Bata Bumabasa iniaves of the Department of Educaon in lling up learning gaps to enrich the learning gains of the readers. The City Government also acvely involves our youth in the eld of public service. Last 2022, in partnership with the Provincial Government of Isabela, we took part in the 13th Naonal Youth Parliament Region 2 Assembly where youth leaders all-over Cagayan Valley convened with the main goal to discuss relevant issues and formulate policies to address youth-related issues. These policy recommendaons are big help to guide the government in idenfying key programs for youth development. Nakiisa rin tayo sa selebrasyon ng Gabi ng Kabataang Cauayeño kung saan kinilala nan ang mga katangi-tanging kontribusyon ng ang mga kabataan sa pagpapaunlad ng ang lungsod. Kaugnay ng selebrasyon ng Naonal Disaster Resilience Month, isinagawa nan ang 1st Mayor Jaycee Dy Invitaonal Barangay, Inter-Agency First Aid Olympics at 1st Inter-Agency Responders on Disasters Challenge kung saan ang mga barangay at ibang ahensya ng gobyerno ay nabigyan ng kaalaman tungkol sa basic rst aid at emergency response and management. Layunin ng lokal na pamahalaan na gawing laging handa at ligtas ang bawat Cauayeño tuwing oras ng anumang sakuna. Pinangunahan din ng lungsod ang pagsagawa ng Cagayan Valley Rescue Jamboree na may temang “Nine Two Two Rescue Jamboree One Region, One Mission, No Boundaries.. 1 Cagayan Valley,” kung saan 46 parcipants mula sa iba’t-ibang siyudad at lugar sa Cagayan Valley ang nakiisa, kasama ang puwersa at suporta ng Lakas Cauayan, Department of Naonal Defense, Oce of Civil Defense at Federaon of Cagayan Valley Rescue Groups. Malaking karangalan po ang maibahagi sa ibang lugar ang kagalingan at lakas ng Lungsod ng Cauayan pagdang sa paghahanda, pagtugon at pagbangon mula sa anumang kalamidad. Layunin nang mabigyan ng kalidad na edukasyon ang bawat mag-aaral sa lungsod ng Cauayan. Ngayong 2023, may kabuuang 2,857 estudyante mula rst year college hanggang 4th year college ang sinusuportahan ng lokal na pamahalaan sa ilalim ng City Government Scholarship Program.Awarded Honorary Local Chief Executive of the Year119

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The City Government of Cauayan also entered into a Memorandum of Agreement with Cauayan City Police Staon, 4th Platoon, 2nd Isabela Provincial Mobile Force Company, Liga ng mga Barangay and Chrisan Ministers Associaon for the establishment of the KASIMBAYANAN (Kapulisan, Simbahan, at Pamayanan) Hall. Pursuant to the PNP Organizaon Plan “SAMBAYAN”, KASIMBAYANAN will host various programs, projects and acvies that improve peace and order, encourage morale recovery and promote a God-fearing community. As we connue in localizing the 17 UNSDG’s, the City Government of Cauayan ocially launched its projects under SDG-1 to promote Sustainable Cies and Communies. We sealed partnership with the Department of Science and Technology, Isabela State University, Department of Informaon and Communicaons Technology, United Cies, and barangays San Fermin, District 2, and Cabaruan for the transfer and pilot tesng of Project CDEWS or Community Dengue Early Warning System and the Barangay ODeSSEE for Flood and Covid-19 Monitoring System. Project CDEWS aims to address the increasing number of recorded dengue cases in the city through data-driven decision support system for early warning whereas Barangay ODeSSEE will enable the barangay disaster response teams to be more proacve and alert in idenfying alternate evacuaon areas which are safe both from ood and Covid-19. In partnership with Mulsys Technologies Corporaon, we also ocially launched the Cauayan City Connect, the city’s new One-Stop Mobile App that will enable the cashless, contactless and paperless transacons in the City of Cauayan. One of the highlights this year was the rst Internaonal Smart City Exposion and Networking Engagement (iSCENE) held last March 23-25, 2023. This is the rst internaonal event aended by about 1,000 city leaders, internaonal speakers and experts, business partners and dierent government agencies and private sector, who gathered together for knowledge-sharing, collaboraon and partnership for the promoon of the smart and sustainable cies framework. Moving forward, it is the direcon of the City of Cauayan to make use of its experience and best pracces as a blueprint and a model of good digital governance in order to inspire other cies transform as smart and sustainable communies, with the end view of improving the quality of life of the people.Serbisyong Laging ReaDY Bilang Smart at Sustainable CityAwarded Honorary Local Chief Executive of the Year120

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NATION BUILDERSIt takes a lot of paence, dedicaon, and hard work to reach the top of one’s profession, and as hard to keep that posion. Take, for instance, entrepreneur Marilou F. Morillo, who has been in the business industry for over 25 years. Marilou F. Morillo, widely known as Malou, a successful self-made businesswoman, is one of many people posively impacng the causes she is passionate about. She understands that wealth comes with a measure of responsibility to give back. Thus, she makes an acve eort to promote human welfare. Aside from being known for her leadership skills in business and economic development and her interest in the general welfare, Malou is also described as a loving and devoted mother, an inspiring woman leader, and a dynamic public servant now shining as a guiding light of Calapeños as the rst female City Mayor of Calapan. Mayor Malou received her high school educaon at Naujan Academy in Oriental Mindoro. She graduated in 1975 and then enrolled at Mindoro College, later renamed Divine Word College of Calapan. She showed great diligence in pursuit of a degree in accounng and graduated from college in 1980. Her work in the construcon industry began as something other than a general contractor. While working in United Coconut Planters Bank (UCPB), Mayor Malou, with her husband, ventured to several businesses. The couple started with raan, vines, and bamboo handicras. They were also engaged in buying and selling rice grants. With their revenue, they invested in the gravel and sand business.EDUCATION & CAREERAWARDED HONORARYLOCAL CHIEF EXECUTIVEOF THE YEARHON. MARILOU F. MORILLOMAYOR, GOVERNMENT OF CALAPAN CITY, ORIENTAL MINDOROTHE BIRTH OF THE GUIDING LIGHT121

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Mayor Malou knew the importance of commitment and me; handling a job while aending to their businesses. She is skilled and a parcular person who can carry two major life undertakings simultaneously. In 2019, Mayor Malou has pushed herself into the spotlight of polics by running for Congresswoman in the 1st District of Oriental Mindoro. Amid her defeat in the congressional race, she connues her passion for liing the poor and helping the less privileged. She established the Morillo Foundaon in the same year. Through the foundaon, scholarship grants and livelihood programs have been distributed to dierent municipalies in Oriental Mindoro. It has also brought relief operaons to the communies aected by the Taal Volcano erupon in 2020. Calapan was converted from a municipality into a component city in 1998. It had only had a female City Mayor when businesswoman Marilou F. Morillo was proclaimed the new City Mayor in 2022. Mayor Malou connues to be mindful of the opportunity and responsibility to serve her advancement by serving others. She envisions herself creang a sustainable impact and inuence in Calapan City. Working towards sustainable development, Mayor Malou’s administraon iniated the Serbisyong Taumbayan ang Masusunod or TaMa and “The Green City of Calapan” programs.KALINGA AT MALASAKITTHE FIRST FEMALE CITY MAYOR OF CALAPANAwarded Honorary Local Chief Executive of the Year122

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SERBISYONG TAMALAUNCHING OF THE SERBISYONG TAUMBAYANANG MASUSUNOD PROGRAMFLAG RAISING CEREMONY AND SECTORAL CONSULTATION IN BARANGAYS By virtue of Execuve Order No. 001, Series of 2022 or “AN EXECUTIVE ORDER ESTABLISHING THE SERBISYONG TaMa (TAUMBAYAN ANG MASUSUNOD) PROGRAM AND CREATING THE SERBISYONG TaMa CENTER, PRESCRIBING ITS FUNCTIONS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES,” the Serbisyong TaMa Center was formally created on July 1, 2022. Pursuant to the 1987 Philippine Constuon and the Local Government Code of 1991, which mandates local government units to, among other things, promote health and safety, enhance economic prosperity and social jusce, and preserve the comfort and convenience of their inhabitants, the City Government of Calapan (CGC) through the Serbisyong Taumbayan ang Masusunod Center (STC) created under the Oce of the City Mayor, implemented the Serbisyong TaMa Program, an integrated system of project implementaon where programs, projects, services and acvies of the City Government idened by the City Mayor shall be supervised, monitored and evaluated; and are eortlessly made accessible and promptly delivered to the people and communies. Driven by eagerness and willingness to serve, innovate and implement new programs and projects, the STC was able to carry out its fresh and determinedly polished mandates with great hope, unity, and collaboraon from its sta. The following were achieved by the STC in 2022: The Serbisyong TaMa Program was launched on August 10, 2022 at Barangay Buhuan, Calapan City. It was a collaborave basic-service-delivery acvity wherein people from Barangay Buhuan, Panggalaan, and Sta. Cruz received services from CGC departments, oces, and other government and non-government agencies. Around 1,000 Calapeños aended the grand event, and 611 individuals beneed from the vast array of services. A total of 16 CGC Departments and Oces delivered their services, and seven (7) Naonal Government Agencies, parcularly the Philippine Stascs Authority; Philippine Idencaon System; Land Transportaon Oce; Department of Social Welfare and Development; Philippine Overseas Employment Agency; Department of Trade and Industry; and Department of Agriculture also supported the program launch. To provide an accessible venue for people in the barangays, where they could also readily avail of the basic social services being oered by the CGC, and other government and non-government agencies, the “Serbisyong TaMa para sa Barangay Caravan” was launched in 2022. From August 10 to December 31, 2022, the STC was able to serve around 10,000 Calapeños who availed of dierent free services from various providers. Among others, these include the issuance and renewal of PWD IDs and Purchase Booklets; processing of applicaons for new senior cizens and distribuon of Purchase Booklets; dental service; COVID-19 vaccinaon; blood typing; medical consultaon and distribuon of free medicines; nutri-counselling; family planning; processing of applicaons for Socialized Medical Health Care Card; distribuon of free eyeglasses and maintenance medicines for senior cizens; and the like. As part of the new intervenon of the CGC to bring its services closer to the people; and to open an informal yet aable and in-depth venue to discuss maers that need immediate aenon, eecve September 2022, Mayor Malou iniated the conduct of Flag Raising Ceremonies with CGC Department Heads and City Councilors on selected Mondays, in barangays where the Serbisyong TaMa para sa Barangay Caravan is scheduled to be held. The STC facilitated four (4) Flag Raising Ceremonies and Sectoral Consultaons in 2022, held at Barangay Canubing II, Balingayan, Camansihan, and Baruyan. Mayor Malou, the Department Heads, and the City Councilors sat with concerned barangay ocials and sectoral representaves to discuss maers mainly intended to smoothen out governance policies, solve problems, provide soluons, and address other queries that were deemed necessary in public service. Some of the issues raised during the consultaons were road concreng/construcon, installaon of street lights, provision of farm inputs to farmers, pricing of agricultural products/farm produce in markets, construcon of rice warehouses, garbage collecon, vegetable producon, internaonal e-up projects, internet connecon in schools, implementaon of city ordinances, request for addional budget for barangay projects, provision of health services, ensuring peace and order in barangays, tax collecon, etc.SERBISYONG TAMA PARA SA BARANGAY CARAVANAwarded Honorary Local Chief Executive of the Year123

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TAMANG SCHOOL SUPPLIES PARA SA CHIKITINGS PROJECTSERBISYONG TAMA CALAPAN CITY HELP DESK AT THE ORIENTAL MINDORO PROVINCIAL HOSPITALTULONG ALALAY SA MASIGLANG ADHIKAIN (TAMA) PARA KINA LOLO AT LOLAVISION To inspire, movate, and prepare to learn and succeed in school and help parents overcome dicules in the back-to-school situaon under the new normal system of educaon, the “TaMang School Supplies para sa Chikings Project” was launched on September 26, 2022. The 17,921 kinder and elementary pupils from public elementary schools in Calapan City received bags, pencils, ball pens, pad papers, notebooks, and crayons on September 26 to October 3, 2022. The “Serbisyong TaMa Calapan City Help Desk” was launched on October 4, 2022, to assist Calapeño-paents at the Oriental Mindoro Provincial Hospital. But even before the formal launching of the project, the unit has already been serving clients since September 14, 2022, specically in (1) their admission unl discharge from the hospital; (2) processing of documents that pertain to payment of hospital bills, laboratory examinaons, purchase/availing of medicines; (3) and securing nancial support from various government agencies and instuons. The project was iniated by the Liga ng mga Barangay in Calapan City and implemented through the Oce of the City Mayor under the STC. Manned by three (3) non-permanent sta, the help center assisted 61 barangays with 920 clients from September 14 - December 31, 2022. A joint project among the City Social Welfare and Development Department (CSWD), the STC, and the City Community Aairs Oce (CCAO) tled “Tulong Alalay Tungo sa Masiglang Adhikain (Tama) Para Kina Lolo At Lola” was formally launched citywide on September to October 2022. This project intends explicitly to provide essenal goods such as milk to the Senior Cizens of Calapan City that are essenal to boost their immune system, maintain healthy bones, and promote muscle strength. In 2022, 6,131 Senior Cizens aged 70 years and above received 600 grams of adult milk. Also included are all Senior Cizens aged 60 and above from some remote barangays, namely Gutad, Maidlang, Nag-iba I, and Nag-iba II. The STC and CCAO performed signicant roles in conceptualizing, planning, and distribung milk products among the qualied beneciaries in the City’s 62 barangays. Since 2010, urban sustainability has advanced to focus on climate change resilience. The ability of cies to expand and redevelop in a way that minimizes the impact of natural hazards and climate change risks has dominated sustainability iniaves and projects in Asia and around the world. In the absence of naonal policies on green urbanizaon in most countries in the world, iniaves by the local governments to instute green development in their localies are a welcome development. These green city development frameworks vary depending on the specic condions and needs of the localies.The development of “The Green City of Calapan” is one of Mayor Malou’s iniaves. As a comprehensive and integrated green city development, it is the rst to be implemented by a local government in the Philippines, and will join a few green city development iniaves in Asia and the Pacic. “A highly urbanized Green City where the cizens are economically empowered and acve partners in governance, development, and environment harmoniously co-exist, climate change resilient, celebrang rich history and culture, with the belief in God and in the capacity of the people to eect meaningful change.” “The Green City of Calapan” program focuses on the three (3) pillars (3 Es) – providing Equitable social services, revitalizing the local Economy, and promong Environmental sustainability. With her strong commitment to public service, Mayor Malou was elected 2022 Focal Mayor for the Public-Private Partnership of the League of Cies of the Philippines. And just a few months into her tenure, Mayor Malou received the Gawad Pilipino Awards - Hero of the Year 2022 for launching various programs catering to her constuents’ livelihood, educaon, and health.Awarded Honorary Local Chief Executive of the Year124

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NATION BUILDERSEnthusiasc, passionate, charismac, and energec — these aptly describe the rst female elected municipal mayor of Guiguinto, Bulacan. As a leader, she inspires, empowers and brings people together by movang and listening to them. She solves problems by nding soluons, sharing her vision with others, and delivering signicant changes in the communies she serves. Ay. Agatha Paula “Agay” Aguilar Cruz has successfully started her journey of a long-lived hope to feed her community a savory dish called ‘Kaagapay ng Bawat Guiguinteño’, where she dreams to li the burden in the life of every Guiguinteño, to bring relief to their struggles and ll them with the sweetness of purpose. As the rst female Guiguinto municipal mayor, she is oen considered a polical neophyte but she is not new in the eld of public service. She served as a municipal administrator from April 2016 unl February 2018. In her heart is the pounding itch to touch the soest points of the people, accompany them to a connuous progress, and aid them through the hardships of real life. In her years as the municipal administrator, the Municipality of Guiguinto obtained, for the rst me ever, the Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG), a strong testament to her passion to put people’s needs above everything else. Since then, the local government of Guiguinto has been upholding the standards of transparency, accountability, and service delivery. Mayor Agay became an icon in the Province of Bulacan as a “millennial leader” who exemplies a new breed of leadership. In the garden capital of the Philippines, she has this vision to plant the seeds of good governance so people can work together and reap the harvests of an excellently led community.AWARDED HONORARYLOCAL CHIEF EXECUTIVEOF THE YEARATTY. AGATHA PAULA AGUILAR CRUZMAYOR, GOVERNMENT OF GUIGUINTO, BULACANFROM ACCIDENTAL TO INSPIRATIONAL: THE STORY OF A TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADER125

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LEADERSHIP AND SERVICE RUNIN THE BLOODCREATING VALUE THROUGHGOOD GOVERNANCE Mayor Agay grew up in an environment where helping people is top of mind in her family. She’s the daughter of former Mayor Ambrosio C. Cruz, Jr. who is now the representave of the 5th district of Bulacan, and Mrs. Prescila A. Cruz who has also served the masses as a public nurse at the Philippine General Hospital. Mayor Agay is not a rookie in the eld of this duty. She is even known as the ‘child of public service’ — as inspired by the years of her parents’ experience in the road where she is now walking. She earned her Juris Doctor degree from the Ateneo de Manila School of Law, graduang second honors, and her Bachelor of Science in Commerce Major in Markeng Management from the De La Salle University with gold medal under her belt. She formally became a lawyer in 2009. She is also part of mulple organizaons, such as the Bulacan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Integrated Bar of the Philippines (Bulacan Chapter), and Rotary Club of Guiguinto Bloomingdales. It’s in Guiguinto where her hopes and dreams reside, the town at the top of her priories. Slowly, she dresses the place into a scene where bumps are easily resolved, resulng in the comfort of the people, and the beerment of the municipality. Mayor Agay connues the trend of good governance set by her father. Guided by the principles of SGLG, Municipality of Guiguinto connues to work with community partners and stakeholders, by taking proacve acons to ensure local delivery of services such as nancial administraon; disaster preparedness; social protecon; health compliance and responsiveness; sustainable educaon; business friendliness and compeveness; environmental management; safety and peace and order; tourism, heritage development, culture and the arts; and youth and development. “Mabung Pamamahala” promotes public parcipaon in local governance as a form of empowerment. Mayor Agay believes that members of a society share power with public ocials in making substanve decisions and for people to feel a sense of commitment to improve the quality of life. One thing about Mayor Agay is her unending care for the people. Together with the leaders of the dierent sectors of community, they molded and formed an associaon called “Kaagapay sa Buhay Movement,” which believes that the implementaon of change will be birthed from a relaonship and interconnecvity with one another, pung the people’s voices at the core of solving problems, and serving the needs of every cizen. In the high roads where expectaons and dreams coexist, she carries the ambion of AGAYSENSONG PAMUMUHAY, introducing the pillars for the improvement of quality of life through good governance: “Kaagapay sa Patuloy na Kaunlaran,” “Kaagapay sa Mapagkalingang Serbisyong Panlipunan,”“Kaagapay sa Ligtas na Pamayanan,” and “Kaagapay sa Mabilis at Epekbong Serbisyo ng Barangay at Pamahalaang Bayan.”Awarded Honorary Local Chief Executive of the Year126

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FIRST 100 DAYS: MORE THAN 100 LIVES TOUCHED “Kapag po may isang buhay akong nabago, pakiramdam ko po na mission accomplished na po ako (If I was able to change one life, I’d feel accomplished),” said by a 41-year old local execuve during her oath-taking ceremony last July 1 at Guiguinto Municipal, Athlec and Cultural Center. But during her ‘First 100 Day-Report’ as a municipal mayor, she’s also surprised with the overwhelming responses from more than 100 Guiguinteños whom she has touched during her rst 100 days. Eyes were full of tears from those who shared their tesmonies, and from those who learned about the report of the progress so far of their new municipal mayor. • With less than four months in the oce, 1,490 scholars already received educaonal assistance every semester with an amount of almost Php 6million.• 336 Guiguinteños were reached out through Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situaon with a total amount of Php1.45 million.• 836 people received nancial assistance under Kaagapay Payout Cash Outright Program.• 335 individuals were able to get Php1 million-worth of food assistance from the local government.• In addion, 82 students graduated from the Alternave Learning System – Educaon & Skills Training.• Around 1,295 bone crypts and 628 niches were constructed at Guiguinto’s public cemetery.• Furthermore, 225 farmers received cered seeds for rice producon, including 108 ferlizer beneciaries.• Last August, 159 Guiguinteños were hired on the spot during the rst Agaysenso Jobs Fair.• Twenty (20) gardeners completed their landscapes installaon & maintenance NC II training.• 387 individuals became part of the TUPAD program and 293 households were given seeds to start their agriculture business.• In September, 124 people graduated from dierent livelihood training programs facilitated by TESDA.• 20 families who were aected by the road widening project were given house and lot materials.• 153 individuals were given Php10,000 each through the livelihood assistance grant.• 20 families who were aected by the road widening project were given house and lot materials.• 153 individuals were given Php10,000 each through the livelihood assistance grant.• The Municipality also opened the rst and nest animal crematorium in Central Luzon.• To protect the students and teachers, 12,000 students and 1,000 teachers were given Kaagapay kits that contain face masks and alcohol boles.• Also, 195 Guiguinteños were given free hospital consultaon• Last October, 130 micro, small and medium entrepreneurs gained support through Mercato Di Guiguinto, a night market that provides assistance to businesses displaced by the pandemic.• 225 senior cizens receive monthly allowances• Seven garbage trucks were delivered to seven barangays to help them manage their wastes.• 2,250 tricycle drivers received Php1,000 fuel subsidy• 13 families were given new houses.• 2,345 daycare pupils received learning kits and vitamin C, and 59 people with special needs were given assisve devices.• 10,254 wi units were distributed to junior and senior high school students for online classes.Awarded Honorary Local Chief Executive of the Year128

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FIRST 100 DAYS: MORE THAN 100 LIVES TOUCHED In the ‘Ulat sa Bayan 2023’ that highlighted the Municipality’s 25th year celebraon of Halamanan Fesval, she laid out many plans for Guiguinto. Here she described how the shimmers of Guiguinto’s garden reect the bright future that awaits the land. She also dreams of Guiguinto as the ‘happiest place for a child to live in”, a town that delivers signicant programs for the beerment of children’s lives. She believes that the best resource a place can oer is the people — and nurturing them with sustainable programs will prepare them to become the best manpower in the future. One by one, she presented the municipality’s achievement and plans to the world. To connuously push forward the status of the municipality, she will broaden the programs such as job fairs, sustainable livelihood programs, skills enhancement, and entrepreneurship training through the Public Employment Service Oce or PESO Caravan for the people. Guiguinto’s micro, small and medium enterprises or MSMEs will regularly be supported by Mercato Di Guiguinto for the livelihood of those who are yet to fully recover from the eect of the pandemic. Meanwhile, Php43.94 million is allocated for the development of the garden showcase area, a two-hectare one-stop-shop for all landscaping and ornamental products and services. It will also be a market facility for the Guiguinto iLAB. Moreover, Php45.21 million will be reserved for the construcon of iLAB, located at Guiguinto Garden City. It is the rst-ever ssue culture laboratory for ornamental plants in the Philippines. A new public market that will also serve as “Bagsakan” will be built to enable access to less expensive products for every Guiguinteño. To achieve this, Php20 million from the Naonal Government will be reserved for this mulpurpose building public market, together with upcoming Double-AA cered slaughterhouse. Because of the iniaves in the eld of livelihood and employment, there are Guiguinteño families that are now receiving an addional amount of Php2,000 to Php6,000 pesos on their monthly income. Other families are also receiving an addional Php16,000 from those who already started employment from the job fairs. Agaysenso Job Portal will also remain open for a wider service of a more convenient job hunt in Guiguinto.Awarded Honorary Local Chief Executive of the Year129

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Guiguinto Municipal Arena or the oval is planned to be completed by 2024 for a more convenient gathering. To complete this facility is to also oer a place for the youth and athletes to hone their skills. There will also Php20 millions from the local budget for the construcon of public roads. Around Php250 million pesos is also allocated by the Naonal Government for the construcon of MacArthur Road from Barangay Tabang to Waltermart, and some parts of the Municipality.● 2022 Seal of Good Local Governance● ISO 9001:2015 Recercaon (TUV Rheinland)● 2019 Seal of Child-Friendly Local Governance● 2022 Regional An-Drug Abuse Council High Funconal Performance● Gawad Edukampyon for Early Childhood Care and Development (Municipalies Category)● Most Outstanding Community Relaon Class A Police Staon (Guiguinto Municipal Police Staon)● Natatanging Bayan sa Nutrisyon● Natatanging Bayan sa Sining at Kultura● Most Innovave Local Civil Registrar’s Oce● Most Outstanding LGU for Sustainable Program on Waste Reducon● Successful Implementaon of the Rice Compeveness Enhancement Fund - Seed and Extension Programs for 2023 Dry Season● Invaluable Contribuon and Unwavering Support on the Progress of the Tech4ED Project of the Department of Informaon and Communicaons Technology Regional Oce● Top Performing Tech4ED Center ● Top Performer in Supplementary Feeding Program For the youth, consistent planning on ways to improve child development centers will be done. This will happen together with the planning of a Youth Development Center where one can build their talents and skills. The Special Educaon Center will also target people with special needs. For senior cizens, the goal is to be able to give them monthly maintenance medicines. Distribuon of care kits and RT-PCR tesngs will also be regularly managed. To also keep Mayor Isagani Pascual Memorial Hospital in check, an amount of Php10 million subsidy from the Municipal Government and Php10million from the Provincial Government will be reserved. To start in the fourth quarter of 2023 is the 1.6 land hectare bought, where 752 new housing units will be built, in cooperaon with the Naonal Government. In this same year, the safety of the community is to be priorized. Code 911, an emergency hotline for faster response from the police, reghters, and medical personnel will be implemented. The Php5 million incenve fund from the Seal of Good Local Governance will also be used for the lighng of the roads and streets all throughout the town. For the lighng at MacArthur Highway and Cagayan Valley Road, Php13 million from the local fund and Php25 million from the Naonal Government will be given. With all these best-laid plans, Mayor Agay is just geng started. With her sharp focus on public service, she vows to make an indelible change in the lives of Guiguinteños. Truly, ‘Kaagapay ng Bawat Guiguinteño’ describes her purpose-driven leadership. Yes, she regards herself as an “accidental public servant” but she embraces her new role as a transformaonal leader while unifying her people, sharing her vision with all Guiguinteños, and empowering both public and private sectors to achieve extraordinary results. Every day, her passion to serve people grows and shines through, always inspiring hope and posive change for the Guiguinto of today, and the next generaons. AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONSAwarded Honorary Local Chief Executive of the Year130

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NATION BUILDERSTo make a real impact, “Madir” as many Arayateños call her dearly, Maria Lourdes Mamawan Alejandrino, Mayor of the Municipality of Arayat, from me to me shows her physical presence in all the 30 barangays of Arayat. During the 9-year term of her husband, former Mayor Emmanuel “Bon” M. Alejandrino (now the incumbent Vice Mayor of Arayat) her fervent desire to be a Mayor kept burning in all her senses so that, she could make a dierence in governing the people of Arayat should God permied her to win in the May 2022 Elecons. She won with ying colors in the mayoralty elecon and her assistance religiously served during the term of former Mayor Bon became the eecve movaon for Mayor Madir to fulll her dream that change can happen through good and producve leadership. Mayor “Madir” Alejandrino has consistently exhibited a deep sense of care and concern for her constuents, even during challenging periods such as natural disasters and public safety risks. With her passion for public service and the right tools at her disposal, she makes it a point to be visible and responsive to the needs of her constuents. Her open-hearted, prayerful, paent, and persevering nature enables her to provide unwavering support and aecon to her constuents. Through her leadership, she has made it possible to show that true leadership is demonstrated not just during good mes, but also during mes of adversity. Despite the intricate nature of dening the public good, Mayor “Madir” is well aware that it can be a subjecve and dynamic concept.AWARDED HONORARYLOCAL CHIEF EXECUTIVEOF THE YEARHON. MARIA LOURDES M. ALEJANDRINOMUNICIPALITY OF ARAYAT, PROVINCE OF PAMPANGA131

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With people holding diverse and somemes conicng views on what constutes the public good, it can be a challenge to provide governance that is fair, transparent, and geared towards improving the lives of her constuents. Nevertheless, she remains dedicated to this mission. She works relessly to provide high-quality services, with a focus on innovaon and collaboraon, to build a society where everyone can thrive. Mayor “Madir” shares her husband’s passion for public service, and this movaon connues to fuel her work. The Arayat Local Government Unit (LGU) has been the recipient of numerous awards in recognion of its outstanding governance and accountability. Mayor “Madir’s” leadership has been instrumental in achieving these accolades. With a focus on praccal soluons to the most pressing issues facing the community, the Municipal Government is commied to ensuring that every taxpayer’s penny is spent wisely. They have been recognized for their eorts, receiving the most presgious Seal of Good Local Governance three mes, in 2017, 2019, and 2022, by the DILG. Mayor “Madir’s” commitment to serving her constuents is unwavering. She acknowledges that dening the public good is not a straighorward task. Dierent individuals may hold varying and somemes conicng views on what constutes the public good, and these views may evolve over me. However, she believes that by working collaboravely and sharing ideas, it is possible to provide eecve governance that priorizes the public good. She recognizes that praccally implemenng the concept of the public good can pose a signicant challenge, but she is commied to nding soluons that work for everyone. Through her dedicaon and perseverance, she connues to provide leadership that makes a real dierence in the lives of her constuents. During mes of trials and dicules, and challenging moments in the lives of the Arayateños, Mayor Madir maintains a message of unwavering hope for the future as she works to improve her beloved Arayat town. Some people may neglect her, but she remains persevering with her tangible ideas towards development. She will certainly adhere to and fulll her Administraon Slogan:‘KUNG MAG-UUMPISA TAYO NG TAMA,MAGTATAPOS TAYO NG TAMA.”Awarded Honorary Local Chief Executive of the Year132

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• Capacity Building for 418 Barangay Health Workers (BHW) and Barangay Nutrion Scholars;• Feeding Program for the more than 4,000 children enrolled in 39 Child Development Centers in 30 barangays;• Supplemental Feeding to indigent, severe and moderate 215 malnourish children in 30 barangays;• Livelihood Program for newly graduate 150 People Who Use Drugs (PWUD) to bring them back into the mainstream society;• Parent-Child Counselling Program in funconal Drop-in Center for Children in Conict with the Law (CICL) - Center to serve as temporary shelter and custody for CICL;• Provision of recommended and standard height and weight assessment tools to all 30 barangays;• Rehabilitated Municipal Evacuaon Center and due to COVID-19, it was converted into a 50-Bed Isolaon Facility – During calamies, Mayor Madir joins the MDRRMO, MHO, and MSWDO in feeding the evacuees and providing them other materials needed in the evacuaon center.• Educaonal Services Improvement – Mayor “Madir” monitors the Municipal Scholarship Program.- 2,502 Total Maria Sinukuan Scholars- Livelihood Project from DOLE with over 16 beneciaries of Cellphones and Bicycles with Helmet.- Financial Assistance for 43 Scavenger Beneciaries (Mayor Madir assisted in the distribuon);- Tulong Panghanapbuhay for 614 Disadvantaged Displaced Workers (Mayor Madir assisted in the distribuon). - 109 Special Program for Employment of Students (SPES)- 11 Beneciaries of Government Internship Program (GIP)• Agricultural Projects – Mayor Madir managed the screening, monitoring, and evaluaon with the Agriculture Head.- Distribuon of Ferlizer for 200 Farmers (March 15, 2023)- Distribuon of Ferlizer for 356 Beneciaries (February 15, 2023)- Distribuon of Bio N Ferlizer – Barangay Matamo (February 08, 2023)- Cash Assistance for Farmers (30 Barangays)- Value Crops/Seedlings and Ferlizers to Farmers Associaon and Agricultural Cooperaves• More Improved System on Health Services and Development – Madir conducts BHW conference-seminar on a semi-annual basis at the Pavilion of Mt. Arayat Naonal Park or in the Municipal Funcon Hall.- Voluntary Blood Donaon Acvity “Share life, Give Blood”- Breast & Cervical Screening test and Prevenon for women – Rotary Club of Maka Circle of friend and Philippine Cancer Society funded.- Medical Mission Opcal checkup & free eyeglasses funded by Pineda Family- Mulvitamins Distribuon for children (30 Barangays)- Medical Assistance for 150 registered Solo Parents- Dental Mission with the help of Gov. Dennis “Delta” Pineda and Vice Governor Lilia “Nanay” Pineda- Mass Blood Leng Acvity- Tubal Ligaon in collaboraon with MHO- Capability Building for the more than 400 Barangay Health Workers.- “Puhunan para sa mga Kababaihan 2022-2023” on-going livelihood project for indigent women (Madir Funded).• Assistance to Senior Cizen – Programs sponsored and parcipated by Mayor Madir- Awarding of “Ten BHW Senior Cizens 2022” (Mayor Madir sponsored);- Awarding of assistance for the Sickly, Frail & Bedridden Senior Cizens. - SOCPEN Distribuon for Arayat Senior Cizens- Php10,000.00 Cash Gi (one-me) to all Senior Cizens 85 years old and above (Mayor Madir sponsored);- Php 100,000.00 Cash Gi (one me) to Centenarian Senior Cizens 100 years old.- Gi-giving project for poorest of the poor senior cizens (Mayor Madir handles the solicitaon, preparaon, and distribuon).• Public Employment Services – Mayor Madir managed the screening, monitoring, and evaluaon with the PESO Head.- Tupad Payout for Toda Drivers thru the iniave of Sen. Risa Honveros• Mt. Arayat Protected Area (Ongoing) – To be able to protect the Arayateños who lived around the Mr. Arayat, monthly inspecon has been connuously conducted in partnership with DENR.• Full Rehabilitaon of Mt. Arayat Naonal Park (Ongoing) - The protecon, conservaon, and preservaon of Mt. Arayat Naonal Park is also providing employment in the tourism industry. More residents are able to get jobs, create livelihood projects and businesses with the reopening of the Mt. Arayat Naonal Park. This reects the policy of localism and showing a gradual improvement of living standards. Free training in Tour Guiding for out-of-school youth, unemployed parents, and tricycle drivers is a part of the Municipal Tourism Oce. Madir handles a great part in the planning and improvement of MANP.• Annual Tree Planng – More concerned cizens within the municipality have been parcipang in the Tree Planng Project in line with the restoraon of Mt. Arayat Forest within the protected areas. Mayor Madir has been a key player in the coordinaon of the program and incharge of the meals aer every Tree Planng acvity.• Monthly and Yearly Town Clean-up drive - In response to the Manila Bay rehabilitaon program, Mayor Madir has been a consistent parcipant and leader of several clean-up drives to ensure that the town of Arayat stays clean and green. BASIC SOCIAL SERVICES PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS 2022-2023:ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENTAwarded Honorary Local Chief Executive of the Year133

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• Drainage Canal Project –from SGLG Incenve fund• Financial/Medical Assistance – Indigent People “Alagang Madir Project”• Superhealth Center Project funded by Sen. Bong Go• Trac Enforcer Seminar – providing addional equipment to them while they are on duty.• Awarding of Assisve Devices for PWD.• Barangay Peace and Order Acon Team – Skill Enhancement Training• Pamaskong Handog for BPATS (30 Barangays)• Pamaskong Handog for Barangay Council (30 Barangays)• Cash and Rice Assistance for BPATS (30 Barangays)• Financial and Supply Assistance for LCAT-VAWC 2022 (500 Beneciaries)• Gulayan sa Bakuran Project• Go-bags Project in Barangay San Juan Baño• Restoraon of Fountain (Arayat Sports Complex)• AICS Disribuon – 150 Tricycle Beneciaries funded by Sen. Loren Legarda• 3K Fun Run, Walk and Zumba Marathon Acvity – Diabetes Awareness Month• Nutribun Feeding Program and AICS distribuon – funded by Sen. Imee Marcos• Educaonal and Grocery assistance to over 233 PWD’s of Arayat – amounng to Php2,500.• New Barangay Service Vehicles• Led Lights Post for 30 Barangays – in support of Mr. & Mrs. Tamura • Financial and Supply assistance from Sen. Bong Go with assistance from Naonal Housing Authority• “Pasulo” – Christmas Tree and Lanterns Lighng within the Municipal Compound (Madir sponsored project every Christmas season).• “Arayat Town Fiesta” Celebraon - Mayor Madir conducng the solicitaon to fund the annual celebraon).• 56 million 4-Storey Arayat Mul-Purpose Building (PAGCOR)• Php2Million New Ambulance Unit for MDRRMO• Php1.5Million Rubber/Fiber Boat with outboard motor water safety rescue equipment • Php10K Cash Incenve per barangay for the Ideal Funconality Assessment of BCPC/LCAT s BANC;• Php998K Handwashing equipment distributed to 39 ECCDs;• Php180K Financial Assistance to PWD, Senior Cizens, Solo Parent, Child Representave, VAW Desk Ocer and Youth.• Provision of MSWDO Mobile Vehicle• Php3Million Financial Assistance to 1,000 TODA Drivers sponsored by Sen. Bong Go;• Annual Alejandrino Day Celebraon, Arayat Town Fiesta and Mutya ning Arayat 2023 conducted;• An-Drug Abuse Council Performance Award 2022• DILG Kwentong LFP Year-end Award for Best Locally Funded Project 2022.• Gawad Timpukan Awardee• SGLG Incenve Fund Awardee – P5,000,000.– Mayor Maria Lourdes “Madir” M. AlejandrinoOTHER COMPLETED PROJECTS FOR 2022-2023:ACHIEVEMENTS:“LET US BEGIN WITH DOING WHAT IS RIGHT, SO THAT WE MAY END WITH PRIDE AND A SENSE OF ACCOMPLISHMENT.” Awarded Honorary Local Chief Executive of the Year134

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NATION BUILDERSSome were born to impress others, while others were born to inspire. Mayor Rajiv Varron Enad, however, in his selessness, sincere service, and humility, seemed to have been born to be as impressive as he is inspiring, as his leadership led to the meteoric rise of what has been an obscure Municipality of Minglanilla, southern Cebu. Elected as mayor in 2022 at the age of 37, Mayor Rajiv Enad prods the imaginaon of his townspeople with visions of what the Municipality of Minglanilla can be, re-imagining its future, one legacy project at a me. This young lawyer and mayor of Minglanilla, southern Cebu, had 18 years to prove his worth in public service. He started as chairman of the Sangguniang Kabataan in his home barangay of Vito, and elected as president of the municipality’s SK Federaon, then several terms as town councilor before emerging victorious in a hotly contested mayoral race in 2022. With less than one year in oce, Mayor Rajiv has surprised everyone by pung Minglanilla on the spotlight for its upbeat economy, the strength and vitality of its public services, and the established trademark of excellence of Minglanillahanons who earn recognions one victory aer another in whatever eld of endeavor be it sports, academe, beauty and brains, or cultural presentaons, among others. A banner project approved during his administraon is one that would sustain livelihoods and the economy for generaons to come: a 100-hectare reclamaon project that can generate jobs, open up space in the already congested municipality, and place the town at the center of Cebu’s global compeveness. The Cebu Provincial Government, through the Cebu Provincial Board, already gave the go-signal for the gargantuan undertaking.AWARDED HONORARYLOCAL CHIEF EXECUTIVEOF THE YEARHON. ATTY. RAJIV V. ENADMAYOR, MUNICIPALITY OF MINGLANILLA, CEBUVISIONARY AND RAPID ACTION MAYOR OF MINGLANILLA, CEBU135

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With this, plus the new Minglanilla Government Center that can accommodate the growing number of Minglanillahanons, are seen to change the physical landscape of the rst-class municipality. Named aer Indian prime minister Rajiv Gandhi, Mayor Rajiv’s mother, Vickie Varron, was a high school teacher while his father, Engr. Sandy Enad, was a government employee. With his enduring hard work and persistence, he clinched several academic achievements: a degree in Management Accounng at the University of San Carlos, Bachelor of Laws at the University of San Jose Recoletos, Masters in Development Management and Governance at the University of Maka, Masters in Public Administraon at the Naonal Graduate Instute of Japan where he was a Young Leaders Program Scholar, and juris doctor. His life is a reecon of the saying “Walay imposible basta magkugi” (There’s nothing impossible with hard work), a personal mantra that became his polical group’s campaign bale cry in the 2022 elecons that catapulted him in the mayoral oce. Mayor Rajiv Enad’s assumpon in oce as mayor at noonme of June 30, 2022 paved the way for a new era for Minglanilla, an era marked with foresight and rapid acon on people’s concerns. He intends to steer Minglanilla to greater heights, with a vision to transform it into a magnet for industrial, residenal, and commercial development. Mayor Rajiv introduces new work ethic, new work culture, extraordinary visions, and reforms that will bring his people into the Golden Age of Minglanilla. Barely one year in oce and yet, Mayor Rajiv Enad has already shown that truly, he is one of Cebu’s top guns in the realm of public service in terms of ability, intellect, vision, and speed by which he makes things done. Awarded Honorary Local Chief Executive of the Year136

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So far, he already achieved so much as mayor of his hometown, notably, the unquanable accomplishment of bringing back his people’s sense of pride by quickly nding soluons to their endless problems. First and foremost, he was able to transform the work ethic among town government workers and zoomed in against tardiness by coming in at 7:00 AM himself, to be a role model for them. Government workers in Minglanilla now wear a badge of politeness, humility and respect for all Minglanillahanons. He has made compulsory the trainings for Arnis and Basic Maral Arts for all personnel of the Minglanilla Trac Commission and Task Force to pracce discipline and self-defense. For decades, Minglanilla had struggled against trac congeson that it had earned the tag as the trac capital of Cebu. With Mayor Rajiv Enad, however, this was immediately overturned by upgrading the Minglanilla Trac Command Center with state-of-the-art cameras, installing new trac lights, overhauling the enre trac ow, and approving ordinances aimed at addressing the causes of congeson. Beyond band-aid soluons, and to sustain the improvement, he is acvely pushing to open up diversion roads in the municipality. Whenever it rains, several barangays in Minglanilla becomes ooded, haunng the residents who have become fearful of the dark clouds. Even at midnights, Mayor Rajiv personally supervises rescue and relief operaons, giving immediate aid to aected families. Evenings and weekends, Mayor Rajiv made sure that the town’s Engineering Oce fast track the declogging, dredging and cleanup of waterways. Within his rst 100 days he widened the rivers and waterways. Floodwaters are promptly pumped out of houses and streets. Thinking beyond the now, Mayor Rajiv has drawn up long-term soluons like overhauling the enre drainage system in the municipality so that his people could nally be able to sleep soundly at nights even during downpours. Since there is also a need for facilies to protect his people during disasters like the typhoons that regularly visit our country, Mayor Rajiv will build 10 evacuaon centers equipped with modern cooking and washing areas as well as decent comfort rooms for evacuees. On his rst day as mayor, free mobile diagnoscs and medical mission was conducted to bring the strong message that he takes seriously his role of safeguarding his people’s health and well-being. Minglanilla is one of the few LGUs in Cebu that has a Cancer Program where cancer screening and diagnosc assistance are regularly conducted. Unl now, medical missions are being sustained in the barangays. While pushing for more developments in his town, sustainability is also foremost in Mayor Rajiv’s mind. Aside from improving the eciency of garbage collecon, Mayor Rajiv pushed for the approval of crucial legislaon on solid waste: imposing the non-use of plascs and Styrofoam on certain days, providing penalty for improper disposal of garbage and other acts of uncleanliness, and implemenng solid waste segregaon. Reports of polluon from industries are promptly invesgated, a ban on extracon of sand and gravel from the rivers is implemented, and regular planng of trees of all kinds have since been conducted. Only recently, Mayor Rajiv signed an agreement with a nongovernment organizaon for the planng of at least 30,000 nave and fruit bearing trees in Minglanilla with the help of farmers’ organizaons. His vision for a beer and brighter Minglanilla is not just rhetorics, as Mayor Rajiv will put in place renewable street lights in a bid to light up Minglanilla’s main roads, from boundary to boundary.FLOOD CONTROL AND RISK REDUCTIONHEALTHSUSTAINABILITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL PRESERVATIONAwarded Honorary Local Chief Executive of the Year137

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Mayor Rajiv has been supporve of small and medium enterprises by promong their products through the wide reach of social media, and by providing venues to display their products to assist them in sustaining their livelihood. Local food vendors are given spaces at the Abante Minglanilla Food Park whenever there are huge events that are crowd-drawers. Aside from this, food places in the town are being promoted by the mayor himself in his social media pages, and through a municipal government-curated promoonal segment, “Flavors of Minglanilla.” With Mayor Rajiv’s transformaonal leadership, Minglanilla is at the cusp of rapid and radical change in its physical, polical, and economic landscape. A spacious, modern, and spanking new Minglanilla Government Center will soon replace the congested old municipal hall, to give Minglanillahanons ease during transacon, and a landmark that will reect Minglanilla as a rst-class municipality. The youth sector is a top priority, being the future leaders who will connue and sustain development and preservaon eorts. The Local Youth Development Oce is acvely organizing events where the youth converge to celebrate local culture, pursue sports events, and the arts. Upon orders of Mayor Rajiv, the Municipal Youth Development Oce is acvely celebrang the annual municipal-wide Linggo ng Kabataan, serving as a venue for the youth to showcase their talents. On top of that, there are basketball clinics in the barangays on weekends, while distribuon of basketball goals were completed in all barangays. Aside from his immense contribuon to the development of sports in the grassroots, Mayor Rajiv also revived in Minglanilla the love for Arnis, our naonal maral arts. In fact, with the residents’ apparent love for sports, the upcoming Minglanilla Government Center Compound will have facilies for sports and recreaon to realize Mayor Rajiv’s goal of making Minglanilla a beer place to live, work and play in. Included in the projects are the renovaon of the sports complex, a tennis court, badminton court, and a rubberized oval and football eld. The municipal plaza is also up for renovaon as one of Mayor Rajiv’s agship projects. Being the most prominent place in any locality, the mayor thinks it is me for Minglanilla to have a proper plaza that will be delighul to Minglanillahanons and which people can use as space to eat with family and friends, have leisurely walks, or just spend quiet mes. Mayor Rajiv is thankful to the Municipal Council headed by Vice Mayor Elanito Peña for their unequivocal support, and for the industry of all department heads and Naonal Agency ocials assigned in his town. Together, they brought back the people’s trust and pride in Minglanilla’s municipal government, as can be seen from the people’s words of gratefulness, admiraon, support, and enthusiasm expressed in the various social media plaorms. He lls Minglanillahanons with high opmism and much hope, not just through his words and vision but through veriable, tangible and immediate results. With his remarkable performance, Mayor Rajiv has fast become the gold standard for local governance in this part of the country. His assumpon in oce last June 30, 2022 was a gamechanger for Minglanilla for the beer, ushering in the golden era for his town for introducing unparalleled, fast-paced development. If there is such a thing as a poster boy for Minglanilla’s progress, that would undoubtedly be its young leader, Mayor Rajiv Enad. SUPPORT FOR SMALL BUSINESSES, YOUTHAwarded Honorary Local Chief Executive of the Year138

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NATION BUILDERSService is his business! Inspired by the plight of the people, he understands his cra, he performs his assignment and he engages in service that is anchored in love, hope and care. Under the leadership of Hon. DARWIN E. BAJADA, the Mayor of the Municipality of San Dionisio, pieces, phases and faces emerged and contributed to the dawning of progress in the municipality. Pieces of leaves of stories opened opportunies. Phases of events addressed concerns about people, the environment and the welfare of the people. Faces of commied and dedicated individuals worked with the same goal – the holisc development of the people, the environment, the community and the leaders. Mayor JonJon as he is fondly called by the San Dionisians, rose from the ranks. He served as one of the Sangguniang Bayan members of the municipality from 2010-2016. He served as the Municipal Vice Mayor from July 2010 to September 27, 2020. Due to the loss of the municipal mayor, he assumed oce as municipal mayor from September 28 unl the present because he won the elecon of the following year in the mayoralty posion. Many dreadful events happened during his term as mayor. The worst is the presence of the COVID 19 pandemic which caused fear to the populace. This experience did not deter the mayor to connue working and serving the people. He went out of his comfort zone and inspired the people to go on and have no fear. Proofs of these are the acons like giving food provision to the people, providing proper medical and health intervenon and the rigid and fearless monitoring of situaon which he himself personally did.AWARDED HONORARYLOCAL CHIEF EXECUTIVEOF THE YEARHON. DARWIN ‘JONJON’ E. BAJADAMAYOR, MUNICIPALITY OF SAN DIONISIO, ILOILO139

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PIECES The resourcefulness of the mayor earned the Local Government Unit pieces of projects that benet the people. Roads, infrastructure, livelihood projects, food assistance, health and sanitaon programs, etc. are just a few of these notable pieces. They came both from the government and non-government organizaons through the eorts of the Local Chief Execuve. These pieces gave, opportunies to the people to nd decent sources of livelihood. These pieces reduced worries, problems and stress of people in crisis situaon. These pieces helped a lot in promong healthy living and lifestyle and lessened problems on cleanliness and sanitaon. These pieces provided the LGU workers a beer environment which resulted to beer services to the environment and the people regardless of status, belief, references, educaon, etc.PHASES The inspiraon and leadership of the mayor created phases of periods of transparency, accountability and integrity in local governance. Many craed execuve orders on the following opened phases of transparency on all government transacons like: the Bids and awards Commiee (BAC); the Project Monitoring Commiee; the Municipal Inspecon Team, the Local drinking Water Quality Monitoring Commiee, and the parcipaon of Civil Society Organizaons (CSOs). All these were made proacve, more vigilant and given more opportunity to parcipate in the decision-making process in all LGU acvies and transacons. With them there is an assurance that acve parcipaon is present and check-and-balance is assured. The publicaon of orders, ordinances and advisories opened the LGU to the people; thus, making all funcons parcipatory where cizens can have an immediate grasp of what sancons the LGU have made for the people to be aware of. With these the people can air their suggesons, their comments, their cricisms, and their concerns. All these are considered especially during public hearings and the like.Awarded Honorary Local Chief Executive of the Year140

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The opening of the LGU Website that publishes in the social media the aairs, achievements, concerns, announcements and other important maers and informaon that need to be known by the people, has become a reliable source of informaon and has an important phase in the goal of the LGU to inform and to make the people aware of how the LGU serves and addresses the concerns of the people. All these are manifestaons of accountability (parcular persons and ocers can be directly referred to) and, integrity where the meaning of service, commitment, dedicaon and the right work ethic is clearly dened. The craing of the Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP) under the leadership of Mayor Bajada paved the way towards the passing of the Municipal Zoning Ordinance that opened a new phase in environmental preservaon and protecon and the wise use of resources so as to fully benet the people. CLUP also dened fully the 10-year municipal plan and serves as the blueprint for development and progress. Another wonderful phase focused on protecon and security of the people and the environment. Just recently, the LGU was able to acquire a new Philippine Naonal Police (PNP) oce situated at the back of the municipal hall, on a lot owned by the municipality. This phase made it easy for police ocers to have a place where they can have a proper base and where they can comfortably plan on maers of peace and order. With the acquision of a donated lot in a barangay near Poblacion, the center of the municipal government, the LGU nds a place where the Municipal re staon can have their permanent base. At present the municipality expects to have a building and other amenies built in the said donated lot for arrangements with the naonal government and higher naonal oces have been full planned and agreed. In the aspect of culture and sports, Mayor JonJon gives all out support. When he assumed oce as the municipal mayor, the municipality was able to have a municipal hymn, a long-awaited event that manifests the naonalisc spirit of the people and the feeling of pride of their town and their identy as San Dionisians. Sports became one of the main focus of his administraon. With the return of sporng acvies when the pandemic started to decline, he was the rst to inspire the people to join, and reap awards for the municipality and for the schools where they came from.Awarded Honorary Local Chief Executive of the Year141

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PHASES Idenfying the right persons for the right jobs is one great skill of a transformaonal leader. Producvity, client sasfacon, fruiulness, and conduciveness of workplaces are the most salient results of this parcular skill that is fully manifested by the Local Chief Execuve. This also resulted to more vibrant oces, stress-free environment, beer service and wholesome relaonships among employees and heads of oces. Funcons became fast and the dened cizen’s charter for the fast ow of transacons is achieved to the fullest. The local chief execuve hired, appointed, designated, assigned and detailed people who manifest the right work ethic. These people are chosen for their integrity aside from being really qualied for the job. Trust is acquired and in return these people work to really serve, to inspire, to movate, to fully engage and to protect the environment and the people. These faces surround the Local Chief Execuve and connue to inspire him through their achievements, work accomplishments, and sasfacon they gave to the clients. Others on the other hand give the right inspiraon and movaon that give enough opportunity for the Local Chief Execuve to give the right judgment, sound decision, rm belief, and workable soluons geared towards progress, development, unity, peace and sasfacon.Awarded Honorary Local Chief Executive of the Year142

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NATION BUILDERSMayor Elizabeth T. Matugas was formerly the Deputy Collector of Custom for Assessment, Port of Mactan, Cebu and former Board Member of the Province of Surigao del Norte. She was an Awardee as the Outstanding Alumni of Colegio de La Immaculada Concepcion in 1979, Cebu City. She is at the forefront of Dapa’s remarkable recovery. Her vision and relentless drive have aected the community’s ability to overcome hardship and emerge stronger than ever. Under her leadership Dapa has successfully weathered the COVID 19 pandemic and the devastaon caused by Super Typhoon Odee in December 2021. The town has not only recovered, but has also evolved into a more resilient and forward-thinking community. Dapa is the center of trade and commerce in Siargao Island. Conde Nast Traveler has chosen Siargao Island the top tourist desnaon in Asia for 2021. (CNT). Dapa is home to 36,144 people. It boasts a rich cultural heritage, great natural resources, and magnicent scenery. Dapa is made up of twenty-nine (29) barangays, 13 of which are island barangays. Mayor Elizabeth is aeconately known by her constuents as Mayor “Abeth”. She is true Dapan-on born in Dapa and raised in the tradions of her people. Her heart, however, kept calling her back to Dapa. She saw how the rest of Siargao Island thrived while Dapa struggled out of a working populaon of 13,724; there were only roughly 639 commercial establishments in 2015, with a total of 1,652 employees. Local economic development, infrastructure development, and social and health services are all in chaos. These have formed an alluring call to her to rise to the job of being a servant leader, ushering Dapa to become the major center of trade and eco-tourism in Siargao Island by 2028. AWARDED HONORARYLOCAL CHIEF EXECUTIVEOF THE YEARHON. ELIZABETH T. MATUGASMAYOR, MUNICIPALITY OF DAPASIARGAO ISLAND, SURIGAO DEL NORTE143

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Mayor Elizabeth T. Matugas was a recipient of Mulple Awards, such as• 2022 Seal of Good Financial Housekeeping – DILG• 2022 Panata ko sa Bayan Award – DSWD• 2022 Top 3 Collecon Eciency of Local Sourced Revenue – BLGF• 2022 Top 2 Year on Year Growth in Locally Source Revenue • 2021 1st in Infrastructure in Caraga Region – DTI• 2021 1st in Economic Dynamism – DTI• 2020 Seal of Good Financial Housekeeping - DILG• 2019 Seal of Chid Frindly Local Governance – DILG In 2019, Mayor Abeth was elected. She was concerned with the scarcity of many things; she sees it as a “Blangko na Papel” – a blank canvas on which she may paint an image of change, improvement, and long-term growth. During her snt in government, she built a total of Php 375,397,908.16 infrastructure projects from both local and naonal sources. The number of operang business enes climbed by 154%, from 639 in 2015 to 988 in 2020. .Local revenue climbed 122% from Php 33,761,961.73 (July 1, 2016 to June 30, 2018) to Php 75,278,073.69 (July 1, 2019 – June 30, 2021).. The economy grew, and social and health care services expanded dramacally. The COVID 19 pandemic appeared out of nowhere. It caused havoc on local economies and tourism industries all over the world, including Dapa. Travel bans, lockdowns, and social distancing taccs halted tourism, aecng not just hotels, resorts, and tour operators, but also local businesses that rely heavily on visitor spending. Small and medium sized enterprises, the backbone of Dapa’s economy, experienced enormous challenges in adjusng to higher safety regulaons, and lower client demand. As a result of the pandemic’s employment losses and economic instability, many local businesses are dealing with fewer sales and an uncertain future. Amidst the turmoil of the pandemic, Mayor Abeth became a beacon of hope for the people of Dapa. She recognized the importance of swi and decisive acon to protect her constuents and minimize the adverse eects on the local economy. The Mayor spearheaded the implementaon of targeted support programs, ensuring that the most vulnerable members of the community received the necessary assistance during these trying mes. In collaboraon with the municipal health oce, she facilitated the establishment of COVID 19 tesng and vaccinaon centers, and led campaigns to educate the public on proper health and safety protocols, helping curb the spread of the virus. A total of Php 30,234,228.00 worth of nancial and other forms of assistance was given to ease the impact of the economic slowdown. Under Mayor Abeth’s leadership, the municipality of Dapa embarked on a mission to rebuild and revitalize the local economy and tourism industry. She launched various iniaves aimed at providing nancial assistance and resources to small and medium sized enterprises, enabling them to weather the storm and adapt to the new normal. By invesng in the development of innovave, sustainable, and eco-friendly tourism projects, she ensured that Dapa remained an aracve desnaon for visitors, while simultaneously preserving the environment and the community’s unique cultural heritage.Awarded Honorary Local Chief Executive of the Year144

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These eorts have laid the groundwork for a more robust and resilient local economy, seng the stage for Dapa’s connued growth and prosperity in a post-pandemic world. In September 2021, Puregold Supermarket commenced operaons, the rst of its kind in Dapa, signaling a renewed sense of hope for the local economy. The road to recovery is already certain. There were 1,054 businesses operang in Dapa even in mes of pandemic in 2021. The local revenue collected increased by 21%. Everything is looking brighter unl Typhoon Odee caused mayhem, leaving destrucon in its wake. A total of 14,153 families comprising a total number of 36,144 populaon were primarily aected and sought refuge during the onslaught of TS Odee in December 16, 2021. It is esmated that 90% of the farms and crops were destroyed, and the 80% of homes sustained some level of damage, either completely or parally. Majority of our homes had been destroyed, leaving our residents in a total helplessness. It may have seemed like the community was back to square one, but Mayor remained undeterred and unshakeable in the face of adversity. Recognizing the pressing need for immediate aid, she reached out to friends, relaves, various organizaons for assistance. Mayor Abeth’s persistence and dedicaon to her people fueled a wave of support, resulng in the mobilizaon of resources to help the beleaguered community get back to its feet. Million’s worth of relief goods, house repair materials, and medical aid poured in, a testament of to the far-reaching impact of Mayor Abeth’s call for help. This tremendous outpouring of generosity provided the community with essenal supplies, allowing them to begin the process of rebuilding their lives and homes. The aid received not only addressed the immediate needs of the aected families but also served as a reminder that they were not alone in their struggle. With the support of friends, relaves, and other organizaons, Mayor Abeth and the people of Dapa are demonstrang their resilience and determinaon to overcome even the most daunng challenges. In the aermath of Typhoon Odee, Mayor Abeth focused on the long-term recovery and rebuilding of Dapa. She championed the development of disaster resilient infrastructure and housing, understanding the need to beer prepare for future calamies. Through the eorts of our Municipal Mayor Elizabeth T. Matugas, trucks and container vans arrived on me carrying Plywood, Galvanized Iron, Nails and Concrete cements by partnering with naonal agencies, local organizaons, and internaonal aid groups, she secured funding and resources to ensure that the rebuilding process would be sustainable and long lasng. These collaborave eorts have resulted in the construcon of stronger, more resilient homes and public facilies, safeguarding the community against the impact of future disasters. Simultaneously, Mayor Abeth recognized the importance of revitalizing Dapa’s tourism industry, which had been severely aected by Typhoon Odee. She launched iniaves to restore and enhance tourist aracons, such as beach clean ups, mangrove reforestaon, and the establishment of eco-tourism parks. By promong responsible and sustainable tourism pracces, Mayor Abeth has managed to strike a balance between economic growth and environmental preservaon. As a result, Dapa has once again started to aract visitors from all over the world contribung to the town’s economic recovery and ensuring a brighter future for its residents. Mayor Abeth understood the value of invesng in the human capital of Dapa. She pushed for the establishment of skills development programs and workshops to rebuild their livelihoods and contribute to town’s progress. These programs have focused on areas such as sustainable agriculture, eco-tourism and entrepreneurship, empowering the people of Dapa to create new opportunies for themselves and their families in the post-disaster landscape.Awarded Honorary Local Chief Executive of the Year145

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Her eorts have come to fruion. Dapa’s shi recovery is evident by the reopening of business as early as seven months from the typhoon. Tourism has started ourishing. In the rst quarter of 2023, about 1,534 businesses applied for business permit. this is 55% higher than the business operang in the year 2020. Local sourced revenue in 2022 is pegged at Php 39,503,731.20 which is 30% higher than 2020. The increase in the number of businesses applying for permits in the rst quarter of 2023 could be aributed to the growing economy and favorable business climate, which may have encouraged more entrepreneurs to start their own ventures. Mayor Elizabeth T. Matugas and the Reinvenon of Dapa serves as a testament to the indomitable spirit of Dapa and its people. Under Mayor Abeth’s unwavering leadership, the town has not only risen from the ashes of devastaon but has also reinvented itself as a more resilient, forward thinking, sustainable community. Though collecve eorts, innovave strategies, and the steadfast commitment of Mayor Abeth and her constuents, Dapa has emerged stronger and more prepared to face whatever challenges lie ahead. She has played a crucial role in Dapa’s remarkable recovery from the COVID 19 pandemic and the devastaon caused by Super Typhoon Odee. Under her leadership Dapa has become a mor resilient and forward-thinking community, with a thriving economy and a revitalized tourism industry. Despite the challenges posed by the typhoon, Mayor Abeth remained undeterred and focused on the long-term recovery and rebuilding of Dapa, championing the development of disaster-resilient infrastructure and housing. Though her unwavering leadership and the collecve eorts of her constuents, Dapa has emerged stronger and more prepared to face future challenges.GYMNASIUMOLD TRIBUNAL BLDG.SUNRISE BOULEVARDPUBLIC MARKETCHILDRENS PLAYGROUNDAwarded Honorary Local Chief Executive of the Year146

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NATION BUILDERSIf we have done so much, in so lile me, so lile and so fast under challenging condions, it is because Ordinary people rose to the extraordinary Times. This famous quote best describes the public service of Mayor Philip Naguit in the recent years. As we experienced extraordinary mes due to the pandemic, He answered to the calling & to the challenge of serving our fellow Minaleños. He served them and gave hope in their hearts. Patas at Malinis a Gobyerno; Karapatan ding bawat Minaleño. A Movement he started that envisions a unied Minalin where all Minaleños come rst & no Minaleño is le behind. His vision that became the backbone by his campaign to champion the people’s voice and aspiraons. Promote Parcipatory Leadership, Establish Result-Oriented & Transparent Local Government, and Secure Equal Opportunies & Beer Quality of Life for all. The years ahead are indeed crucial in bouncing back from the setbacks the town has experienced due to the pandemic. Mayor Philip has outlined the 3-years centered in well-rounded development of every Minaleños and outlined in focusing to boost and to reinforce our Economic Compeveness. He has been seng the town’s path in the past 9 months in recovery and believes that working hand in hand in a common endeavor is the key to success. As a famous line goes, In Unity there is Harmony & Strength. Mayor Philip has been banking that in unity that achieve all things for the beerment and progress of our people. To work together in pushing and working to realize every Minaleños’ aspiraons & ideals of this generaon and for the generaons to come to be realized. AWARDED HONORARYLOCAL CHIEF EXECUTIVEOF THE YEARHON. NOEL PHILIP S. NAGUITMAYOR, MUNICIPALITY OF MINALIN, PAMPANGAMINALEÑO FIRST147

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As Malcolm X once said, Educaon is the passport to the future. Educaon sector is the number 1 priority of Mayor Philip. He has championed the strengthening the Municipal Government & DepEd Minalin District partnership. He has green lighted the allotment and disbursement of signicant increase on Local School Board Fund paving the way to address the concerns of the educaonal sector especially on infrastructure setbacks special as face-to-face classes has returned. He also launched a College Educaonal Assistance Program comprised of 293 First Year Students, 239 Second Year Students, 225 Third Year Students, & 251 Graduang Students. These students are being assisted and catered thru the joint eorts of Mayor Philip and Congresswoman Anna York Bondoc-Sagum. Mayor Philip, even before his polical snt, has been an advocate of educaon. He has been sending to around 300 underprivileged students to connue their college studies from his own expense. As a medical professional, health sector has always been close to the heart of Mayor Philip. In our bid to expand the reach of our health services, Mayor Philip thru the help of Senator Christopher “Bong” Go and Kabayan Party list commenced the ground breaking of the DOMALOIS Super Health Center last February 3, 2023. The new health center shall cater half of the populaon of the municipality that is geographical located far from the exisng Lying-In Clinic. He also equipped the barangay health centers thru the provision of more medical equipment and medicines. He reacvated the 24-hour operaon of the Minalin Lying-in Clinic to cater emergency medical situaons. He forged linkages to several medical instuons like the Philippine Red Cross with our quarterly blood leng project, aordable hemodialysis services in partnership with NephroLife Dialysis Center and many more. He also instructed a municipal-wide enlistment program of our sectors to idenfy senior cizens, solo parents and persons with disabilies in our municipality as a bid to cater those of most need of assistance. He also expanded projects for the senior cizens, solo parents and PWDs in parallel to the naonal government programs.EDUCATIONHEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICESAwarded Honorary Local Chief Executive of the Year148

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PARTICIPATORY GOVERNMENTLIVELIHOOD & COMMERCEPEACE AND ORDER Inspired by the words of the late US President Abraham Lincoln, “Government of the People, By the People, for the People..”. this has been the guiding principle of Mayor PSN in governance. He has developed a more inclusive local development plan thru the acve parcipaon of Liga ng mga Barangay and various civic organizaons. He also expanded membership of dierent LGU-Civic Councils to help in the formulaon, conceptualizaon and implementaon of various development plans of the municipality. He put up a Municipal Informaon Portal that is serving as an informaon bullen to keep our people posted on important updates and vital announcements. He has been iniang and encouraging community-level or grassroot iniaves and has been creang more sectoral representaons that is making the government more accessible to the people. As this sector was the most hit by the eects of the pandemic, Mayor PSN has intensied its program in this sector. For livelihood, in partnership with the provincial government, he launched the overseas job opportunity program for Minaleños as seasonal workers in South Korea. He partnered with Department of Agriculture Field Oce Region III (DAFRO III) to organize livelihood organizaons thru skills training programs. Beneciaries were trained in Sewing and Dressmaking Livelihood Program, Gulayan sa Bakuran Program and distribuon of seeds for backyard farming, motorized banca registraon and fuel subsidy distribuon for banca owners. He also tapped the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquac Resources Region 3 in Bangus and Tilapia Tinapa Making program for housewives as a livelihood program. The LGU has also catered 110 students thru the Special Program for the Employment of Students. Mayor PSN also iniated the introducon of high value crops with the hydrophonic technology in his bid to upli the income of our local farmers. As the municipality aspire to become one of the country’s leading Agri-industrial center, Mayor PSN intensied the business-friendly measures such as the Business One Stop Shop and extending it to cater more applicants. He also ordered a municipal-wide business mapping of the Business Permits and Licensing Oce personnel that has increased our business registrants reaching the year’s target as of the month of March this year. Minalin is being considered as one of the peaceful towns in the province. Progress has brought about new roads which made ease in transportaon and accessibility. With this in mind, threat of untoward incident may unfold if the municipal government let its guards down. Mayor PSN reviewed exisng infrastructures in place and augment what is more needed. He expanded police-community partnership programs. He also broadened the an-drug campaign programs to ensure and maintain a drug-free Minalin. He also worked for the retenon of the drug-free status of all barangays in the municipality that has once again named Minalin as one of the Regional An-Drug Abuse Council - Highly Funconal in the country. He also instuted Barangay Peacekeeping Acon Teams (BPATs) Enhancement lectures to further empower our frontline peacekeepers. In strong coordinaon with municipal police force, Mayor PSN has intensied crime prevenon acvies such as, business establishment inspecons, checkpoint operaons and increased police visibility.Awarded Honorary Local Chief Executive of the Year149

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INFRASTRUCTURE AND DISASTER PREPAREDNESS ENVIRONMENT YOUTH, CULTURE AND SPORTS We are what we build today. Infrastructure will deliver progress we shall reap in the future. It will play a tangible role in keeping our easy ow of mobility of industry and cizenry. Such importance must be well planned and built. As his maiden project, Mayor Philip has lit the municipality’s major throughfares with brighter and more ecient lighng xture. He also rehabilitated the bridges in Barangays San Isidro and Bulac. Built a bigger Material Recovery Facility Operaon Center in barangay Sta Catalina. He also restored and rehabilitated the Minalin – Sto Tomas Boundary arch and built the linear park adjacent to it. Construcon of day care centers in barangay San Isidro, Saplad, and Sta Rita are underway thru the help and support of Congw. Anna York Bondoc-Sagum. Aside from the pipelined DOMALOUIS Health Center, on the drawing board is the proposed new municipal hall building. In support to local tourism, Mayor Philip, with the support of Senator Lito Lapid and CIBAC Partylist, a new tourism hub comprising of an esplanade and amphitheater shall rise in Barangay Sta Catalina. For Disaster Management , Mayor Philip introduced partnered with Philippine Transmarine Carriers, Inc. (PTC) in disaster responders training and capability building exercises. He also iniated a proacve Taildike Monitoring and Maintenance Program to make sure the integrity and strength of the ood protecon in coordinaon with DPWH. As a rst order of business on his rst day in oce, Mayor Philip has inspected the operaon of the municipal MRF. He intensied the ght against the solid wastes disposal. He has implemented the strict solid waste segregaon, collecon and disposal. Instructed all barangays to not just comply but to have fully funconal MRFs, thus such measures has signicantly decreased of our pping fee from around PhP 480,000.00 to PhP 87,000 this February despite the increase of pping fee charge of our waste management service provider. As our municipality is situated at the downstream of the Pampanga Delta, Minalin has a web of rivers on its jurisdicon. Such geographical features has made us abundant with natural resources. As he advocates a clean and green Minalin, Mayor PSN thru the MENRO has partnered with EMB Region 3 with programs regarding the expansion and of our Sagip-Ilog Program. As the youngest elected local chief execuve of the town to date, Mayor PSN has always been close to the youth. He has instuted the weeklong celebraon of the Linggo ng Kabataan which promoted camaraderie and unity amongst the youth of Minalin. The celebraon was by a Gawad Parangal that recognized inspiring youth of this generaon in their chosen eld of experse. Mayor Philip has also been an advocate of local culture and tradion. Aer 2 years of hiatus, he spearheaded the revival of the Aguman Sanduk fesvies which coincided on its 90th year of foundaon last January 1. The fesval has once again shaken the streets of the town proper. It was overwhelmingly parcipated by all the 15 barangays of Minalin and brought thousands of tourist to our small town.Awarded Honorary Local Chief Executive of the Year150

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NATION BUILDERSM ayor BERNANDINO “Bernie” TACOY is a rst- term Mayor of the Municipality of MATAG-OB a fourth-class municipality in Leyte District 4 that consist of twenty-one (21) lowland and highland Barangays. BERNANDINO G. TACOY also known as BGT is born in Brgy. Labrador in Ormoc City and raised by his grandparents and grew up with his aunes. His mother was a public teacher while his father was a farmer. He graduated Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of San Jose Recoletos in Cebu City but his heart is really into farming hence he ventured himself into breeding of ghng cock unl he was able to create a signature bloodline called the ORMOC GOLD which made him famous in the gamefowl industry unl today. The name Bernie Tacoy or BGT became very famous in the world of ghng cock, winning so many events that made him earn mulple opportunies and dwell into businesses that gamefowl industry has oered. He became a regular endorser of a famous gamefowl feed brand, opened his own agrivet supplies business with 13 branches in Leyte and owned various farm where he breeds ghng cock. Mayor Bernie earned fortune in the gamefowl industry but learned the art of giving. He started to do charity events inside the cockpit arena and eventually organized dierent outreach program and medical mission in various places in Leyte. He has been serving the public even before his polical career. His interest in the public service has grown lately aer the clamor of the people of Matag-ob for change. Mayor Bernie owned several properes in the municipality of Matag-ob including farms where he became known to the community as he started to help in road repairs and installing water pipes and construcon and renovaon of chapel for free in small villages. He earned the respect of matag-obanon and gladly accepted the challenge to be the next local chief execuve of Matag-ob.AWARDED HONORARYLOCAL CHIEF EXECUTIVEOF THE YEARHON. BERNANDINO G. TACOYMAYOR, MUNICIPALITY OF MATAG-OB, LEYTE151

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Agriculture or farming is the principal source of income for the majority of the populace in the municipality. Being so, it is the prime consideraon of his administraon to maximize the potenal of the lands for higher producon and achieve an economically self-sustaining community. He is primarily focusing to deliver proper water system, infrastructure (road networks, street light) which will boast his dream of providing employment and beer opportunies through Tourism. He is movated to use tourism as an economic tool augmentaon. Matag-ob is somehow unknown to many even from the Leyteños rather it is called the blackhole of Leyte District 4, and because of this, Mayor Bernie is doing his very best to change that usual concept from a blackhole to a pumping heart considering the locaon of Matag-ob in the center of District 3 and 4. Slowly his administraon have been keeping the town alive by conducng various events and programs to boost the economic acvity following our 4P’s goal, a Producve, Progressive, Popular and more Peaceful MATAG-OB. Since Mayor Bernie became the local chief execuve, his movaon is to deliver a transparent and good governance that showcase best pracces in its local government unit. He also inslls the NO POLITICKING POLICY conducng Execuve Sessions together with the Punong Barangay associated with the leader’s accountability, fairness, and transparency in the exercise of their dues and funcons as a servant in our community. Mayor Bernie is visionary, acve, responsive and caring mayor. Awarded Honorary Local Chief Executive of the Year153

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He priorized the absence of social services that are vital in the daily life of his constuents hence during his rst week as a mayor, he immediately delivered his promised of donang Garbage Truck and Ambulance in partnership with the BGT Cares Foundaon and the One Matag-ob Family to the people of Matag-ob and the new ambulance donated by the Pitmaster Cares Foundaon. In the area of Sports and Wellness, mayor Bernie issued execuve order, creang the Municipal Sports Physical Fitness and Development Council enables us to recognize more sporng events especially individual and Olympic sports. We have so many potenal athletes who may compete in naonal and internaonal compeons. Thus, we encourage our children, students and youngsters to get involve in dierent sports which will denitely help them value discipline, avoid vices, strengthen their body and become healthy. Currently we are also promong extreme sports as part of our tourism program like the Motocross and downhill bike or dirty bike challenge. For Peace and Order, we have already transferred the CCTV cameras to appropriate and relevant locaons. Exisng Ordinances concerning public safety was revisited and slowly yet strictly implemented. Currently, checkpoints, beat patrol, police visibility are being conducted including police mobility day and night. We strongly support the programs and projects of our Municipal Agriculture as one of our top priories because food is our prime necessity. And I am happy to that we have already started the accreditaon of farmers associaon which is very important and benecial to both farmers and the LGU. For the Environment Sector, we intensied the campaign of proper waste disposal in every household and slowly follow the prevailing ordinance of waste segregaon as we designated the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Ocer. We already steered three (3) Clean-up Drive to encourage every MATAG-OBANON the benet of clean air and surrounding. We have also strengthened the Municipal Disaster Risk and Reducon Management Oce wherein we have launched 24/7 rescue unit assistance to immediately response in any emergency situaon which happened only during this new administraon. We now have 2 rescue vehicles, new rescue equipment and well-trained rescuers. Mayor Bernie ORDERED THE CREATION OF THE TOURISM DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL FOR CULTURE AND THE ARTS WITH EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 12 SERIES OF 2022. TOURISM played an important role as a driving force for ECONOMIC AUGMENTION. The impact this industry can have in the dierent stages of economic development depends on the specic characteriscs of each area complexity of tourism consumpon, its economic impact is felt widely in other producon sectors, contribung in each case toward achieving the aims of accelerated development The Honorable Mayor Bernandino Tacoy enter into an ALLIANCE that will benet Matag-ob Tourism called BDO-LS Tourism Alliance. We reached out to DOT Region 8 and the Eastern Visayas Tourism Associaon to present our plan. A plan that capitalizes on each other’s strength and the opportunies we see over the horizon. A plan that considers development gaps and addresses threats that may hamper development. BDO-LS represent BERNIE DODO OÑATE – LANDO SIXTO which means UNITY in DIVERSITY, an approach that will surely boost tourist desnaon areas of every municipality within the loop of alliance. Through the iniave of Mayor Bernie Tacoy, he founded the HIMORASAK FESTIVAL which means abundance. It is a celebraon of thanksgiving to the supreme being for the good yield and abundant harvest of our farmers every month of September. Himorasak Fesval is being held every 4th Sunday of September. It is a month-long celebraon with daily and nightly acvies and events held at the HABHAB FOOD PARK that catered variety of Food and drinks during the fun lled events and programs.Awarded Honorary Local Chief Executive of the Year154

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NATION BUILDERSThe rst of July 2022 marks a new chapter for John Marvin Cruz Nieto, with the same promise of unceasing and unparalleled service to his constuents as a Lingkod Bayan. Vice Mayor Nieto commied himself to connuing the same brand of service and devoon he had been known for and exhorted everyone to le their new COCs, redening the same as Compassion,Obligaon, and Commitment, thus: “Ngayong tapos na po ang eleksyon, nais kong mag-sumite tayo ng bagong COC. Diba ang COC ay pina-le nan sa intensyon nang lumahok sa halalan? Ngayon ang COC na ito ay may isa pang kahulugan: Compassion, Obligaon, at Commitment.Compassion–bigyan nan ng awa ang ang nasasakupan. Obligaon–gampanan ang ang katungkulan. Commitment–maging totoo tayo sa ang mga pangako. Yan ang gawin nang pamantayan ng paglilingkod.” (Now that the elecon is over, I exhort everyone to submit their new COCs. Isn’t it that we le our COCs in order to become candidates in elecons? COC, however, has another meaning: Compassion, Obligaon, and Commitment. Compassion–let us serve our constuents with sympathy. Obligaon–let us all perform our respecve dues. Commitment–let us be true to all our promises. This will be our standard of service.) Unaware that such newly dened COC has been his connuing service for the past 16 years of public service.AWARDED HONORARYVICE MAYOROF THE YEARHON. JOHN MARVIN C. “YUL SERVO” NIETOVICE MAYOR, CITY GOVERNMENT OF MANILA“LINGKOD BAYAN. SERBISYONG WALANG KATULAD. NAGLILINGKOD ANUMANG PANAHON.” ANG LINGKOD BAYAN (A PUBLIC SERVANT)155

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John Marvin Cruz Nieto is a Manileño through and through, born on 22 February 1977 and raised in Binondo, Manila by parents Marn and Zenaida Nieto. The second of eight children, Nieto, who carried the nickname “Jon-Jon’’ in his childhood years, aended kindergarten at the Tulungan Daycare Center, primary school at the Pedro Guevara Elementary School and obtained secondary educaon from the Arellano University, all in Manila. As a young man, Nieto had always aspired to serve the public by joining the police force. Hence, he took up criminology in college, nishing the course in 1998 at the Philippine College of Criminology in Manila. His desire to become a policeman notwithstanding, the persuasive inuence of show business would realign Nieto’s plans to acng. Thus, shortly aer graduang from college, he joined the entertainment industry, where he had a ourishing career and was recognized as one of the outstanding actors of his me. Even with his success in show business, however, the blood of a public servant owing through his veins would not allow Nieto to turn his back on his fate calling on him to become a Lingkod Bayan. In 2007, Nieto entered polics and was elected to his rst term as Manila City Councilor. Soon thereaer, he became known not only for his diligent work as legislator, but also for his commitment in serving the constuents of the 3rd District of Manila through medical missions (called Araw N’yo, Serbisyo Ko), mass weddings and bapsms (Kasalang Bayan and Binyagang Bayan), feeding programs (Kusina Manileño), mass circumcision (Binyagan sa Tag-Araw: Operaon Tuli), and wellness services. “Sa nakalipas na labing-limang taon ko sa pagiging lingkod-bayan, nais kong gamitin ang karanasang iyon upang paglingkuran ang buong Maynila. Alam ko na hindi ito sapat at marami pa akong dapat aralin upang lubusan kong mapaglingkuran ang bawat Manileño. Sa tulong ninyo, sama-sama nating paglingkuran ang Maynila….” - VM Nieto Inaugural messageAwarded Honorary Vice Mayor of the Year156

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Owing to his exemplary performance both inside and outside the session hall, his constuents rewarded him with two more terms in the 2010 and 2013 local elecons. As a three-term Councilor, Nieto principally authored hundreds of resoluons and 21 ordinances passed by the City Council, among the most notable of which were:● Resoluon 153 (2013), Exhorng the Oce of the President and Congress to Recognize Gat. Andres Bonifacio as the First President of the Tagalog Republic;● Ordinance 8320 (2013), Granng Tax Incenves to Overseas Filipino Workers Invesng in Small and Medium-Scale Enterprises in the City of Manila; and● Ordinance 8446, Mandang the Disclosure of the Nutrional Contents of Standard Menu Items in Chain Restaurants and Similar Retail Food Establishments in the City of Manila. In addion, he chaired, for the most part of his tenure, the Council’s Commiee on Arts and Culture, which he used as a plaorm to pursue his advocacies in the eld of culture and arts, being himself an arst in his own right. Aer serving three full-term at the Sangguniang Panglungsod, Nieto, served as the 3rd District Representave of the City of Manila in 2016, and would later win a second term in May 2019. As a neophyte naonal legislator, he embraced his capacity to not only serve his constuents but also the country, embarking on his mission to improve his medical and social projects, with the signicant aid of his fellow Lingkod Bayan under his oce. This new role also enabled him to distribute millions of worth of guarantee leers. The highlight of his projects, however, were the 35 government buildings (including ve police staons and 22 mul-purpose barangay halls in neoclassical style); 15 public school buildings (with a total 224 classrooms); two public libraries; a school convenon hall; and two medical facilies, one of which is the Calalang Dialysis Center, the rst such center in the 3rd District of Manila and one of the biggest in the city. The neoclassical architectural design of the facilies are owed to his desire of unifying the structures with a single style and redening the architectural landscape of the 3rd district of Manila. ● Republic Act 11223 (2019), An Act Instung Universal Health Care for All Filipinos, Prescribing Reforms in the Health Care System, and Appropriang Funds Therefor; ● Republic Act 11463 (2019), An Act Establishing Malasakit Centers in all Department of Health (DOH) Hospitals in the Country and in the Philippine General Hospital (PGH), Providing Funds Therefor and for Other Purposes; and● Republic Act 11035 (2018), An Act Instuonalizing the Balik Scienst Program. By the end of his second term, he became the Deputy Majority Leader of the House Commiee on Rules and logging a record of perfect aendance during both terms, a true testament to his diligent eorts for his constuents. Nieto’s winning streak connued in the May 2022 local elecons, this me being elected as Vice Mayor of Manila. In his inaugural message, Nieto commied himself to connuing the same brand of service and devoon he had been known for, as he emphasized the various sectors that deserved priority in the city: (Over the years, we have been through a lot as a city. What we should now focus on are: economy, educaon, health, livelihood, housing, sanitaon, and peace and order. These are the things we will priorize, in order to address the needs of every Manileño family.)“Sa mga nakaraang taon, marami na tayong pinagdaanan bilang isang lungsod. Naging malinaw ang mga sektor na dapat nating pagtuunan ng pansin: ekonomiya, edukasyon, kalusugan, kabuhayan, pabahay, kalinisan, at kapayapaan. Yan ang mga bagay na pagtuunan natin, dahil ito ang pangangailangan ng bawat pamilyang Manileño.” As a member of the 17th and 18th Congress, he had principally authored 1,224 House Bills, 128 of which were enacted into law which included the following: ● Republic Act 11310 (2019) - An Act Instuonalizing the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps);● Republic Act 11313 (2019), An Act Dening Gender-Based Sexual Harassment in Streets, Public Spaces, Online, Workplaces, and Educaonal or Training Instuons, Providing Protecve Measures and Prescribing Penales Therefor; In its rst 100 days under Nieto’s stewardship, the 12th City Council passed a total of 131 resoluons and 23 ordinances, including Ordinance 8883 (2022), Establishing a Mental Health Program and Delivery System in the City of Manila, considered a landmark piece of legislaon. In March 2023, Nieto himself authored a resoluon to digize the Council’s legislave records and make them more accessible to the general public. It also called for the development of an ocial website, where the public could obtain copies of resoluons and ordinances passed, and get updates on important developments in the City Council. The resoluon received the Council’s unanimous support, and the digitalizaon project is now in full swing. NAGLILINGKOD ANUMANG PANAHON(UNCEASING SERVICE) SERBISYONG WALANG KATULAD (UNPARALLELED SERVICE)Awarded Honorary Vice Mayor of the Year157

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NIETO AS A FAMILY MAN AND AN ARTIST With a sta that has grown exponenally, consisng of fellow lingkod bayans adopng the same culture of service that dened Nieto’s career, the Vice Mayor is now able to carry out his projects––this me, on a much larger scale and with an unprecedented number of beneciaries, embodying his promise of Serbisyong Walang Katulad (Unparalleled Service). As of April 2023, Nieto has conducted 15 medical missions since his term as Vice Mayor began ten months ago on 1 July 2022, so far beneng almost 22,000 Manileños. A recurring project carried over from his days as Councilor and Congressman, Nieto’s medical missions provide primary health services to beneciaries for free, such as medical consultaon, basic laboratory tests, eye checkup, and minor medical and dental procedures. They also oer various wellness services, including haircuts, massage, and facial treatments. Another recurring project of Nieto is the annual Kasalang Bayan, where he stands as principal sponsor to dozens of couples tying the knot, many of whom had been cohabing albeit without the benet of marriage. This year’s Kasalang Bayan saw 178 couples exchanging “I do’s” at Paco Park in Manila, the highest since he started the project more than a decade ago. For the remainder of his term, Nieto has many other huge projects lined up, some of which are carried over from his me as Councilor and Congressman. Nieto is a dong husband to Flovelyn L. Nieto, an entrepreneur with whom he is raising four adorable sons and two loving daughters. His busy schedule notwithstanding, he always personally supervises his household, ensuring that his children grow up to become responsible and God-fearing cizens of the country, with the same compassion and desire to help their fellow men. His passion for the arts also enabled him to create several masterpieces and art works displayed at the Pinto Art Museum in Anpolo and The Art District in Binondo, Manila, from which proceeds are donated to charitable organizaons. Awarded Honorary Vice Mayor of the Year158

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NATION BUILDERSComing from humble beginnings belonging to a middle-class family residing in Malabon, the young Bernard strived to sustain himself and to be what he has become now-- a 2-term Malabon City Vice Mayor. Bernard “Ninong” Dela Cruz has stood rm in his principles of being the voice of the masses as he connues to champion their causes and work to improve their living condions. Since his days as councilor of Malabon City 1st District, Vice Mayor Ninong always put the marginalized sector at the forefront of his priories knowing all too well how it is to live being one of them. Born April 19, 1976 to a Filipina Visayan mother and a half-Filipino, half-Chinese father, he worked from the boom unl he reached the top. He is an alumnus of Philippine Malabon Cultural Instute in Brgy. Longos, Malabon City and took up Business Administraon at Adamson University where he became a member of a fraternity with brotherhood at its core. His rst jobs were as a butcher, janitor, and supervisor at the Malabon Abaoir. He was a working student in order to sustain his educaon. He is also mul-lingual, speaking the Bisaya dialect and the Fook Kien language from his Chinese descent. Eventually, due to persistence, he obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Commerce major in Management at Adamson University. Determined to succeed in life, he further developed his skills in public speaking as he became a part of JC Premier as one of its pioneers in mul-level markeng. AWARDED HONORARYVICE MAYOROF THE YEARHON. BERNARD “NINONG” DELA CRUZVICE MAYOR, MALABON CITY159

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He became one of its Top Performers. He can excel for as long as he sets his mind to, paired with hard work, focus, and persistence. VM Ninong has always wanted to be a public servant. He always felt that it was his true calling. This dream became a reality in 2013, aer three consecuve failures in making it as one of the councilors in the 1st District of Malabon, he nally landed a spot, and the rest is history. During his me as a city councilor from 2013 – 2016, 2016 – 2019, Vice Ninong connued to champion his causes – health, educaon, and alleviang hunger or addressing poverty. He became the Philippine Councilors’ League of Malabon President for the two terms he served as councilor (2013 – 2019) and an ocer of the Metro Manila Councilors League (MMCL). He leads the City Council of Malabon with as much fairness and neutrality for the benet of the general public he has sworn to serve. And now, he has taken on higher posions at the naonal stage such as at the Vice Mayors’ League of the Philippines (VMLP) as its Naonal Chairman, the rst ever. He is a member of the Union of Local Authories of the Philippines (ULAP) which makes the City of Malabon well-represented, heard, and given priority by the naonal government. He currently holds the posion Vice Mayors’ League Naonal Capital Region Auditor. He is recently awarded as Knights of Rizal Honorary Member. As Vice Mayor Ninong reaches new heights, he will always go back to his core values on why he entered public service as he connues to fulll his promises to the people. VM Ninong knows how it feels to be poor; he understands the plight of the less privileged having experienced it himself. The daily feeding around the City of Malabon was inspired from this. It is an ongoing program which aims to address nutrion issues especially in the depressed areas. The close encounter with the people in need further gave him the movaon to keep on doing this and keep on improving the program. Awarded Honorary Vice Mayor of the Year160

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Most of the me, he got support of friends who were in the food business in the City, who eventually became sponsors for “Meals on Wheels ni Ninong” (MOWN). As of this wring, thousands of families have beneted from this program and many connue to do so—daily. His medical missions on eye care health were a remarkable success and has changed thousands of lives of his ‘kababayans’ needing medical intervenon in order to restore proper vision. Beneng mostly senior cizens, the program has successfully operated on almost 4,000 indigent paents and has distributed more than 8,000 eyeglasses. Another notable facet of his public service is his seemingly availability 24/7 to aend to various emergencies in the City. As the Associaon Director of the Malabon Filipino-Chinese Fire Volunteers Associaon, Inc., he takes this role by heart even before being elected, he was already acve as a volunteer. As seen in his live posts on social media whenever emergencies such as res, accidents and the like are happening, he’s always one of the rst ones present whether to call out for help or inform the public about it. It seems as if Vice Mayor Ninong is on public service mode round the clock, which makes him able to accomplish more because he dedicates so much of his me and his presence to our ‘kababayans’ in need. A mini-tanker bought from his own pocket was donated by Vice Mayor Ninong to the Associaon, a testament to his dedicaon as a volunteer. Through his eorts and connecons, the City of Malabon has beneted cash assistance distributed to more or less 15,000 individuals especially during the height of the pandemic. Senators Bong Go and Francis Tolenno are some of the senators who extended their helping hands to our City, some of Vice Ninong’s closest allies and friends from the naonal government. The Malasakit Center at the Ospital ng Malabon is one of Vice Mayor Ninong’s most remarkable legacies in the health sector. He championed and pushed for the establishment of the Malasakit Center for the benet of every Malabon resident – to enjoy zero billing in all hospital services. Senator Christopher “Bong” Go’s belief in Vice Ninong was instrumental in achieving this. Vice Ninong’s dream to provide improved healthcare services to Malabon residents has been realized. The hospital connues to receive funds from the naonal government providing easy access to healthcare for the locals. As the head of the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Malabon, he envisions a pro-acve legislave body connuously evolving in response to people’s needs. Together with the Malabon City Council members, the Execuve-Legislave Agenda (ELA) held last September 2022, the 1st Sangguniang Panlungsod Team Building held last October 2022, and the Sanggunian Benchmarking Acvity held last December 2022 are some of the major acvies accomplished under his term. His leadership is geared towards a Sanggunian that collaborates and involves its members in its policy-making ang planning acvies. Vice Mayor Ninong will connue to improve the quality of our legislators which will result to improved ordinances that directly address the people’s concerns. He rmly believes that equipping our legislators with the knowledge and training will be of great benet not just today but in the long run. Awarded Honorary Vice Mayor of the Year161

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One of the new programs he recently launched is the “Hataw sa Tag-araw Kasama ni Ninong” Zumba party which kicked o last month. It features Zumba instructor Zin Eric. The rst event held at the Malabon Ampitheater had almost 450 aendees who grooved to the beat of music despite the heat of the season. The next leg was held on May 11, 2023 at the Fishermall Malabon, an equally successful event. The program encourages everyone to engage in physical acvity aer the eect of the recent pandemic wherein people were encouraged to stay at home; hence liming physical acvies. It will be a connuing program open to all who are interested to parcipate and will connue throughout his term. The Ninong Squad, launched recently, is a newly-formed non-government organizaon conceptualized by Vice Mayor Ninong to relive the spirit of bayanihan, camaraderie, and social responsibility among Malabon residents. Recently, the incidents of criminality and lawlessness are becoming prevalent. This iniave was born out of his concern on the law and order situaon in the City which needs to be addressed to prevent further loss of lives and damage to properes. He believes that with the law obeyed by the people, organizaon and peace may prevail in any community. His most recent elecon as the rst Vice Mayors’ League Naonal Chairman from 2023 – 2025 is one of the highlights of his career so far. He has a vision for the League to be more progressive and he plans to elevate the capacity of the members through constant learning and trainings about legislaon. As the head of the legislave, it is imperave that he leads through acons and executes tangible soluons to problems. The Naon Builders and Mosliv Awards, which recognized exemplary individuals in dierent elds including government ocials, awarded Vice Mayor Ninong Dela Cruz the “Vice Mayor of the Year Award” in 2021 and once again this 2023. This recognion is another testament to the level of performance he has given as a public servant – an unnished story of someone who rose from his downfalls, proved his capacity and exceeded everyone’s expectaon. If there is a legacy that Vice Mayor Ninong wants to leave behind, it is to never give up on your dreams and goals no maer how impossible it seems. From a ‘palengke boy’, he has turned his life around by pursuing his desire to be a servant-leader. The road to where he is now had a lot of detours and pitstops, but these did not deter him from reaching the top. Giving up is simply not in his diconary, not now, not as long as there is re in his soul to inspire and serve the people. Awarded Honorary Vice Mayor of the Year162

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NATION BUILDERSFor the stars achieved by Toledo City, the promising economic ger in the Midwest of Cebu Province, it is because of the noceable unity between the departments, execuve headed by Mayor Marjorie Piczon Perales and the legislave headed by Vice Mayor Jay Blanco Sigue. Vice Mayor Sigue is senmental in bringing in a new era of leadership of the City being handpicked and mentored no less than the reputable Philippine polical instuon, the late Senator John Henry Osmena, at the age of 28 to push the city forward and side by side Mayor Perales. It wasn’t too long before that, that Toledo had a few set-backs due to the evident opposing sides of the two departments. Sigue was one if not the youngest elected Vice Mayor of the Philippines in 2019 and though barely 28 years old, he had shown an ignited interest to give public service a higher level as Vice Mayor of one of the richest city in Cebu. He began serving Toledo as Barangay Councilor and rose to being City Councilor in barangay Sangi, prior to his assumpon as the second in command in the City. These were dues which equipped him by experience, a grasp into the legislave realm. It is not easy to be craing laws. Since 2019 he had given the full legislave support that was needed by the administraon to soar economically and withstood two horrendous challenges, the covid 19 pandemic and typhoon Odee which le the City heavily devastated in December 2021. For one term and a year or 48 months, Vice Mayor Sigue as presiding ocer, was able to approve 69 essenal ordinances and 622 resoluons including the Annual Appropriaon Ordinances for the scal years 2021, 2022 and 2023 amounng to over P1.6 billion (one billion six hundred thousand pesos) average and all its supplemental appropriaons.AWARDED HONORARYVICE MAYOROF THE YEARHON. JAY B. SIGUEVICE MAYOR, CITY GOVERNMENT OF TOLEDO, CEBU163

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DISASTER AND CRISIS RESILIENCY As the threat of Covid 19 was around the bend, and barely a year aer his assumpon, Vice Mayor Sigue and the City Council met and approved necessary appropriaon ordinances which paved way for the immediate distribuon of not just a single but ve waves of rice distribuon to all 17,000 households in all the 38 barangays from 2020. This coincidentally stretched a few days before the ravage of typhoon Odee in 2021. The distribuon also covered the renters, those in their boarding house and even those who are working in other places of the province but who have houses within and in all the barangays of Toledo City. The ordinance required by the Department of Budget and Management budget circular for cies and municipalies to open an interest bearing Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) Special Account in the General Fund needed for the Bayanihan Grant release was also among Sigue’s and the City council’s support to the Execuve Covid response. Because of the dierent appropriaon and supplemental budget ordinances passed with Vice Mayor Sigue’s as presiding ocer, Toledo City was the rst to establish a local government unit operated quaranne facility and accredited by the Department of Health (DOH) at the building formerly known as Days Hotel. It has proper security and needed medical personnel to cater to the covid 19 paents who were pulled out from their homes. They were given not an ordinary, but more like of a hotel treatment unlike other quaranne facilies. Another immediate acon, was the Ordinance Requiring Mandatory Use of Face Mask and Requiring Face Shield in High Density Commercial Establishments and when Riding Public Transportaon, also among the rst in the Province of Cebu as a covid response. This was hasly passed by the City Council with Vice Mayor Sigue in sessions done in the most risky of mes but in the safest manner. They had to conduct sessions in humid areas just so needed ordinances and resoluons were approved in those mes. Under the annual appropriaon ordinances and its adjustments approved with Vice Mayor Sigue at the helm, the execuve department was able to allocate for the purchase of two ambulances equipped with the AED, Medical Kits, Wheelchair, Stretchers, Oxygen, Nebulizers and other necessies just as the pandemic was approaching. These two ambulances were of great addion to the rapid response transferring paents serviced by the Toledo City General Hospital (TCGH) and the City Disaster Risk Reducon Management Oce (CDRRMO). The said ordinances under covid response, was also able to distribute allowances to rst aid responders as well as the purchase of required medicines and equipment. In the year 2021, Toledo City was among the rst LGUs of Cebu province which bared the allocaon of inial fund for the purchase of an-covid vaccines. Awarded Honorary Vice Mayor of the Year164

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Then came another unseen disaster, typhoon Odee destroying mul-million properes mostly households as Toledo City was directly on its track the night of December 16. However, the strong hand of Mayor Perales was made rmer with Vice Mayor Sigue’s immediate passing of the Appropriaon Ordinance amounng to over P34 million, giving instant P2,000 cash for each of the 17,000 households in the enre Toledo City. These were the same beneciaries of the ve waves of the 25 kilogram sacks of rice. The Toledo families felt a quick relief and once again that good news was done only in the City of Toledo. Under Vice Mayor Sigue, the Ordinance Providing Emergency Relief and Protecon for Children Before and Aer Disaster and Other Emergency Situaons was also approved. It provided immediate funds and intervenons of children heavily at risk during those risky situaons. In fact, with the presiding ocer’s legislave support to CDRRM eorts, from extensive trainings to purchase of ood warning systems, Toledo City was recently given the “Gawad Kalasag Seal” from the Naonal Disaster Risk Reducon and Management Council (NDRRMC) and other citaons from the Bureau Of Fire Protecon (BFP) and the Police Regional Oce (PRO7). We are lumping these two salient points as equitable use of land and resources are strongly related to Infrastructure and Service Connecvity. In terms of equitable use of land resources, the City Council with Vice Mayor Sigue is now on the works craing the City Ordinance adopng the Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP) which hasn’t been updated yet since 2015. Other than that, various expropriaon ordinances intended for major infrastructure developments of the City of Toledo were also approved under Vice Mayor Sigue. These include the expropriaon ordinances of lots used for the future site of the New Toledo City Public Market in barangay Poblacion; the expropriaon of the lot to be used for the construcon of the rst Toledo City state university, the Cebu Technological University in barangay Sangi; the lot adjacent to the Toledo City Sports Center to be used as addional parking space; and lots used for road opening also in barangay Sangi beneng inter-barangay commuters and lessening the trac. Also of salient importance is the Ordinance mandang the Reclassicaon of Lands and Providing Fees and Penales. All these ordinances are of great contribuon to Toledo City’s proper, legal and proper land and resources use. Furthermore, in terms of service connecvity infrastructure, the issue on trac congeson is not of concern in the City of Toledo, with the ironing of legislave support to the execuve projects. The tricycles in the City, numbering about 1485 under franchise, were put in order with the passage of the Ordinance Regulang the Tricycle Route of the City of Toledo in Pursuant to the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG). These arranged the ow of trac, taking the tricycles from the main thoroughfares or hiways of the City. Another important legislave milestone is the Ordinance Creang the Tricycle Franchising and Regulatory Board (TCTFRB) which mandates updated fees as well as rules for beer and orderly operaon. In relaon to that is another ordinance creang the Tricycle and Pedicab Franchising and Regulatory Oce. Also a milestone, was Ordinance 2020-15 Creang the Land Transportaon Terminal Code. E-Jeepneys were also given legislave clearance to ply the city routes going out to Pinamungahan and to Balamban giving an easier and safer for opons for commuters. Leading the legislave measures approved with VM Sigue as the presiding ocer is the Health and Sanitaon Code of 2020. In parcular of which is the disposal of dead persons and cemeteries. It was obviously a legislaon meant to answer to the adjustments needed during the covid 19 pandemic. Also approved as the Ordinance adopng Republic Act 111313, otherwise known as the Act Dening Gender Based-Sexual Harassment in Streets, Public Spaces, Online, Work Places and Educaonal or Training Instuons and Providing Penales. Also with the passage of the Annual Budgets, the police force obtained seven new Montero amounng to P14 million other than addional ammunions and oce equipment. Toledo City was even cited to have been the rst to conduct the Bomb Disposal training in the enre Philippines parcipated naonwide. At the sidelights, this young Vice Mayor had conducted several sports acvies as his personal community social responsibility for Toledonhons. He supported inter-school sports compeons from the very start of his being a public servant. He also iniated a the organizaon of Toledo Cycling Society as a sports and even a covid intervenon. Toledonhons needed a safe sport and also for their mental health, a natural call of the mes. The Vice Mayor also conducted rotaonal feeding programs among the various kindergarten students of Toledo City. Vice Mayor Sigue was termed by the former Senator John Henry Osmena as amiable to the mass having been charismac to the youthful crowd and is seen to be promising in terms of new wave public service. EQUITABLE USE OF LAND AND RESOURCES AND INFRASTRUCTURE AND SERVICE CONNECTIVITYPUBLIC PROTECTION AND SAFETYAwarded Honorary Vice Mayor of the Year165

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NATION BUILDERSNew chapter of public service has opened for the former Mayor Emmanuel “Bon” Alejandrino when he was elected as the new Vice Mayor of the Municipality of Arayat last May 2022. From the execuve oce to the legislave oce, the transion was very challenging for Vice Mayor Bon or “Tatang Bon” as the public fondly calls him, but nevertheless handled his new oce with strong determinaon. As a proof of Vice Mayor Bon’s competency as a Presiding Ocer, the Sangguniang Bayan was able to accomplish the following within a month, to wit: 1. Established the Statement of Core Values of the Oce of the Sangguniang Bayan2. Dened the Funcons of the Sangguniang Bayan3. Updated the Organizaonal Chart of the Sangguniang Members4. Revised and updated the Standing Commiees and their Funcons 5. Redened the Funcons of the Sangguniang Bayan Secretariat 6. Re-organized SBO Services and Division of Labor among SBO Sta7. Implementaon of Sangguniang Bayan Forms8. Creaon of the Sangguniang Bayan Handbook for Sta In addion, during the last two (2) quarters of 2022 and the 1st quarter of 2023, the Sangguniang Bayan was very acve in enacng and approving ordinances and resoluons.AWARDED HONORARYVICE MAYOROF THE YEARHON. EMMANUEL M. ALEJANDRINOVICE MAYOR, GOVERNMENT OF ARAYAT, PAMPANGA167

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These laws paved way for the administraon of Mayor Maria Lourdes M. Alejandrino to smoothly start construcons of infrastructures, implementaon of programs, adopons of development plans and iniaons of partnership with the other government oces and the private sectors, as well. Vice Mayor Bon strongly believes that, And as a manifestaon to Vice Mayor Bon’s leadership as head of a legislave body, he was elected as the President of the Vice Mayors League of the Philippines – Pampanga Chapter. This further proves that his leadership can sll go beyond and across froners. Furthermore, Vice Mayor Bon and his council played essenal part during the formulaon of the Execuve and Legislave Agenda. During the said assembly, the Execuve and Legislave oces culled term-based plan from the Comprehensive Development Plan which contains the major development thrusts and priories of both oces for the three-year term of oce.Through the leadership of Vice Mayor Bon, the Sangguniang Bayan becomes innovave, responsive, and progressive in the legislave processes. Vice Mayor Bon guarantees that the Legislave Agenda compliments the Execuve Agenda and there is prior consultaon with stakeholders during its development, Also, the legislave agenda must provide legislave acon on the comprehensive Development Plan and promotes and supports provincial, regional and naonal priority development thrusts. “The most viable way for any local government unit to move forward towards success is a clear plan from the administration and support from the legislative body through legislation.”Awarded Honorary Vice Mayor of the Year168

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Likewise, Vice Mayor Bon is very meculous in the eciency of performance of the Sanggunian. He emphasizes that his term as the presiding ocer of the Sangguniang Bayan, he will be focused on the enactment of ordinances that are aligned with the ve (5) government guideposts and are considered to be priories, to wit:A. Poverty Reducon and Social Inclusion 1. Updang of Children’s Code2. Solo Parent Ordinance3. Senior Cizens’Code4. Social Protecon Handbook AdoponB. Environmental Sustainability, Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management1. Comprehensive Land Use Plan2. Zoning Ordinance3. Approval of the Disaster Risk Reducon Management Plan4. Updang Solid Waste Management5. Updang Environmental Code6. Updang Health and Sanitaon Code7. Local Climate Change Adopon PlanC. Accountable, Responsive and Parcipatory Governance1. Appropriaon Ordinance2. Updang of the Local Tax Code3. Annual Investment Program4. Market CodeD. Fair and Stable Order Based on Internaonal Rule of Law1. Comprehensive Arayat Trac Management CodeE. Peace and Security 1. Community Public Safety Plan2. Peace and Order and Public Safety Plan Former Mayor Bon’s leadership is also recognized by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) as one of the municipalies in the whole Province of Pampanga awarded with a Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) for the years 2017 and 2019 and 2022. Since 2013, Sustainable Smartness of LGU “Going Green” with Mount Arayat under the leadership of former Arayat Municipal Mayor Emmanuel “Bon” Manahan Alejandrino who is now the newly elected Municipal Vice Mayor aer nine years (three terms) of mayoralty post. Combining those iniaves with energy eciency measures that conserve the earth’s resources it makes the LGU more ecient, and reduce costs - moving the past environmental compliance and into a successful sustainable administraon embracing its vision: Mayor Bon’s, popularly called “Tatang” (father) “Ing Bayung Arayat” (The New Arayat) Going Green Program which was consistently implemented in nine years on its third mayoralty term has been connuously a mind blowing while the resilient resourcefulness of the Arayateños is tested. He unringly and bravely undertakes acons priorizing the people’s welfare within a drug free, peaceful and safe environment. Agricultural modernizaon and eco-tourism development are the main thrusts of Mayor Bon’s “Ing Bayung Arayat” Program. Such had been gradually achieved with good cizenry as governed by good leadership, dedicated and commied government employees and duly elected leaders who are always aware and can communicate of what is going on in all communies of the 30 villages/barangays. Such communicaon reveals truth, empower others and build brainpower. The transformaon of Mt. Arayat Naonal Park of which future improvement and development have been well-planned under Mayor Bon’s nine years of administraon, 71 long years that Mt. Arayat was abused is all over and gone. This is heroic! The great challenging dream to put Mt. Arayat in the world map as an Eco-Tourism desnaon where nature’s ora and fauna is protected and nurtured with its zoological garden is becoming a concrete reality.Awarded Honorary Vice Mayor of the Year169

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It is a promising site that can help in migang global warming, a recreaonal and research site, source of livelihood among the Arayateños, and a major supply of free potable water among the 9,831 total populaon of Brgy. San Juan Baño where the water cisterns are located and maintained. Spring water is also a source of drinking water for at least 11 barangays within the vicinity of Mt. Arayat while addional spring water reservoirs will soon be constructed as planned. All are part of the LGU’s mission. Modern facilies in agriculture and waste management were provided. The year-round reforestaon and tree planng is expanding in terms of number of volunteers (10,472) from all sectors of the society which is a great contribung factor in the more or less 18 Million total cost of fruit-bearing and hardwood seedlings invested for the past seven years for tree planng, and the well-structured LGU management for Mt. Arayat consistent with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Memorandum of Agreement. Smart steps to Sustainability provide the LGU under the leadership of Mayor Bon in support of the Sangguniang Bayan, Barangay Ocials and Municipal Department Heads, with praccal advice and tools to implement sustainable and environmentally-preferable public service pracces that go beyond compliance. Arayat LGU has been guided with its themac plans from the Comprehensive Land Use Plan 2016-2025 (CLUP) and Climate and Disaster Risk Assessment 2016-2025 (CIDRA) down to its Comprehensive Development Plan, Local Development Investment Plan (LDIP) and Capability Development Plan. (CAPDEV) are guides oering a framework to strategically green the administraon and presents realisc opportunies to improve environmental performance. The Municipality of Arayat with a mountain with the highest peak in Central Luzon (1,026 meters in height) is now on its breakthrough in terms of progress and development with its modern farm and waste management facilies; more roads have been repaired and constructed; the An-Red Tape Act 2016’s 94.75% rang makes Arayat LGU the best in the Province of Pampanga; Purple Ribbon Award for Responsible Parenthood and Reproducve Health - Central Luzon given by the Department of Health; Cercate of Recognion awarded by COMELEC Arayat for his support in the Gender and Development Advancement Program; and the Cercate of Recognion on Development Support and Security Operaons of the 703rd Infantry (Aguila) Brigade of Philippines Army. Mayor Madir never fails to acknowledge and thank Vice Mayor Bon for his all-out support to her programs and visions — from the planning stage all the way to post-implementaon— which she says is highly instrumental in the countless successes that her administraon connues to reap. The husband of the rst woman to have been elected mayor of Arayat. What sets Vice Mayor Bon apart from other vice mayors is the fact that he is a HMB surrenderee. This became very handy for Mayor Madir who opted to give him the total supervision of the municipal government’s disaster risk reducon and management, peace and order and environmental protecon cluster. “The journey to sustainability is unique for every unit of government. Lessons can be learned, good pracces can be replicated from those who have already forged a greener protable path. And for the Municipality of Arayat going green becomes a ghter belt, well fastened and smartly managed to be connually sustainable.” – Emmanuel M. AlejandrinoAwarded Honorary Vice Mayor of the Year170

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NATION BUILDERSJusn Gapit Colago was born from a family of dedicated public servants in October 31, 1980. His grandfather, Cipriano Colago served as the First Elected Mayor of San Pablo City (1956-1959) while his father, Pol Colago was a three-termer City Councilor (2007-2013). Gied with good looks and leadership qualies, he iniated and led organizaons to parcipate in relevant community projects in his younger years. In 2007, while serving as a Condenal Assistant to his father, he reached out to the various sectors and members of the community in his eort to help his father in the formulaon of relevant laws benecial to the city and constuents. In his exposure to the plight of the masses in various barangays, he became aware of the wide gap between the constuents and the government - they are adamant to approach the LGU for fear of rejecon because of their low social statuses. This glaring fact touched Jusn Colago’s conscienous mind and heart. He promised himself to change this reality and convince people that their welfare maer most to the government, and that the key to good governance is a good working relaonship between constuents and the LGU. He found it his calling to bring the government closer to the people because they are the reason for the government’s existence. Without people or constuents, there would be no government. Fueled by this ardent desire and purpose, he ventured in the polical arena and ocially started his career as an elected public servant when entrusted by the people of San Pablo City in 2013 to be one of their local lawmakers. AWARDED HONORARYVICE MAYOROF THE YEARHON. JUSTIN G. COLAGOCITY OF SAN PABLO, LAGUNABRING THE GOVERNMENT CLOSER TO THE PEOPLE171

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True to his mission to bring the government closer to the people, he walked extra miles to launch and implement the following programs:1. Iniated the holding of Sangguniang Panlunsod regular sessions in various barangays, as well as regular consultaon with Barangay Ocials on various maers of governance, projects, programs, social services, and other maers that need the City Government’s intervenon and immediate acon.2. Conducted meengs and collaboraon with the local media regarding community senments and feedback on relevant polical, social, environmental issues among others, as well as the promoon of the LGU programs through the local media – print and broadcast.3. Facilitated the Sangguniang Panlunsod accreditaon of various Civic and NGOs to become partners in the overall development of the various sectors of the community and society.4. Organized medical and dental missions in collaboraon with private praconers, instuons, the City and Provincial Government Units for the nancially deprived sectors of the community.5. He personally oversaw the city’s Linis Lawa Projects to clean-up the city’s seven lakes annually which become pillaged by water lilies, debris from roen sh cages and rubbish from tourism acvies. Host community workers were employed during the clean-up drive, providing them extra income from the acvity. Fisherfolk families rely heavily on the lakes for lapia culture, their main source of income.6. With high respect and regard to the welfare of senior cizens and dierently abled persons, he supports their wholesome acvies like ballroom and sumba by providing free sound system services wherever in the City of San Pablo.7. Supports basketball tournaments and other sports acvies of youths and adults. Vice Mayor Colago believes that engagement in sports develops discipline, physical and mental health and it is an excellent tool to lure away people from vices, unproducve and criminal acvies. Even at the height of Covid-19 pandemic in 2020-2021 on his rst two years of service as Vice Mayor, he did not relent in serving his constuents, unmindful of his personal health, believing that it is during these most trying mes that the people needed the government the most. To alleviate the impact of the pandemic, he iniated the following: 1. Personal visitaon to all (80) barangays to assess the health and economic situaon – to ensure that necessary assistance from the LGU were delivered on me and that health protocols were being implemented to prevent the spread of covid 19 virus.2. Iniated the opening and operaon of drive through vaccinaon for tricycle and jeepney drivers in the city.3. Supported community pantries set up in various barangays by encouraging donors of food and daily necessies to augment the meager resources available to rural families for free.4. As the Head of the August Body, he presided all the Sangguniang Panlunsod online and face to face sessions (100% aendance) to make sure that no important tasks like provision of government services were le out amidst the pandemic. 5. Under the Presidency of Jusn Colago in 2020, the Junior Chamber Internaonal (JCI) San Pablo Seven Lakes distributed PPEs to various health instuons and frontliners to protect them from possible infecon due to Covid 19.Awarded Honorary Vice Mayor of the Year173

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The following, among others, are signicant ordinances passed by the Sangguniang Panlunsod under the leadership of Vice Mayor Jusn Colago:• Ordinance No. 29 s. 2022. An Ordinance for the Operaon and Management of the City Government of San Pablo’s Electronic Billboard Display Units and Creaon of the San Pablo Outdoor Media Regulatory Commiee Providing Fees and Penales Thereof.• Ordinance No. 33 s. 2022. An Ordinance Granng Medical Laboratory Test for Government Employees of the City of San Pablo and Appropriate Funds Thereof.• Ordinance No. 41 s. 2022. An Ordinance Amending Secon 5 of Ordinance No, 2018-54, dated June 11, 2018, otherwise known as “An Ordinance Creang the San Pablo City Adolescence Health Development Program and Appropriang Funds Thereof.• City Ordinance No. 58 s. 2023. An Ordinance Establishing the Operaon and Maintenance of the Central Transport Terminal in the City of San Pablo, Prescribing Fees, Charges and Penales Thereof.• Ordinance No. 60 s 2023. An Ordinance Granng Financial Assistance for Early Recovery of Families Le Homeless in Fire-Razed Communies in the Territorial Jurisdicon of the City of San Pablo.• Ordinance No. 61 s. 2023. An Ordinance Providing for a Health Mental Care program and Delivery System in the City of San Pablo and Appropriang Funds Thereof.• Ordinance No. 62 s. 2023. An Ordinance Establishing the San Pablo City Rice Forcaon program and Appropriang Funds Thereof.• Ordinance No. 63 s. 2023. An Ordinance Mandang the City Informaon Oce to Post the Ordinances of the City of San Pablo on Social Media Plaorms.• Ordinance No. 65 s. 2023. An Act Creang the Gawad Maharlika ng Lunsod ng San Pablo, Providing Guidelines and Purpose for its Conferment, Appropriang the Necessary Funds Thereof, and for Other Purposes.• Ordinance No. 75 s, 2023. An Ordinance Mandang All Fish Cage Operators of the Seven Lakes to Use Extruded Floang Feeds in Rearing Freshwater Fishes.• Ordinance No 76 s. 2023. An Ordinance Providing for the Establishment and Operaon of a Mul-Purpose Convenon Center in the City of San Pablo, Naming the Same and Prescribing the Rental Fees, and for other purposes. Vice Mayor Jusn Colago professes that his passion to serve the public – to bring the government closer to the (hearts of the) people – will not change no maer what government posion the constuents would entrust him to assume in the years to come.Awarded Honorary Vice Mayor of the Year174

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Her legacy is carried on by the establishment of a rst-class public library, which will increase access to knowledge and informaon for the public and youngsters so they can stay current with the rapidly evolving eld of informaon technology. In conjuncon with the Honorable City Mayor and City Council, her ambion of having a City General Hospital, possibly a Level 2 hospital, that can give extra amenies like an ICU and specialty doctors to fulll the health care requirements of the people of Cadiz, especially the impoverished, will soon be a reality. Vice Doc has led the council in making an ordinance that will instuonalize and fund comprehensive Social Development Programs for a child-friendly environment because she sees the value of promong and safeguarding the welfare of children and making sure their views are heard in the legislave process. She put into place the instuonal frameworks necessary to safeguard and assist people who have been vicms of human tracking, especially women and children. She established the Cadiz City Children’s Code for 2017 and asserted all 22 barangays as child-friendly local government units for the enre city. As a woman herself, she understood how important it was to advance women’s rights and foster social progress and development, but she also connued to look for ways to abolish discriminaon against women in all spheres of society, including the polical, economic, social, and cultural ones, by establishing an ordinance for a Cadiz City Gender and Development Code as well as for other uses. She wished to emphasize the signicance of gender equality in aaining social and sustainable progress.CHILD PROTECTIONAwarded Honorary Vice Mayor of the Year176

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SOCIAL SERVICES The vice mayor ensures that senior cizens in Cadiz can live independently, with respect, and with dignity. She created a resoluon allocang funding for the Oce of Senior Cizens Aairs. By oering an age longevity cash award at 90 years old and expanding it as an ordinance known as “The 2018 Extended Coverage of Age Longevity Cash Prize for Eligible Senior Cizens in Cadiz City,” she also instuonalized the Senior Cizens Appreciaon Day. The considerate Vice Mayor is always ready to provide services and iniaves that are tailored to older folks’ requirements. She established “The 2022 Consolidated/Modied Longevity Cash Award for Qualied Senior Cizens of Cadiz City”, an ordinance granng an Early Cash Longevity Award of Five Thousand Pesos (Php 5,000.00) at the age of Eighty-Five (85) years old, and instuonalized the awarding of Monthly Subsistence Allowance from the City of Cadiz to Indigent Bedridden Senior Cizens. Vice Doc also instuonalizes dierent programs for Persons with Disabilies like the ordinance Providing Mechanism to Integrate Qualied and Fit to Work Person with Disability (PWD) in the Mainstream of Society in both public and private employment in the City and an ordinance to provide aordable and adequate housing for its cizens - the Cadiz City Local Housing Board. Currently, an ordinance encouraging Cadiz City’s Sangguniang Panlungsod members, departments and oces, non-governmental organizaons, people’s barangay councils, business establishments, and educaonal instuons to adopt a person with cerebral palsy is in eect.HEALTH AND SANITATION The Vice Doc places a high priority on health and hygiene. She wanted to give every Cadiznon access to clean water, adequate waste disposal, and prevenve health care services because she is a doctor herself. She headed ordinances that priorize health and sanitaon policies, programs, and services, making Cadiz City a healthy and sustainable community. For instance, the Cadiz City Newborn Screening Ordinance helped protect newborns from potenally fatal medical condions. Other ordinances include the Adaptaon and Implementaon of a Comprehensive Program for the Treatment, Control, and Eventual Eliminaon of Tuberculosis to aain a TB-Free Community and Comprehensive An-Smoking Ordinance in the city.Awarded Honorary Vice Mayor of the Year177

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GENDER AND DEVELOPMENT BUSINESS DEVELOPMENTS AND INFRASTRUCTURESTOURISM AND CULTUREDISASTER PREPAREDNESSENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTIONTO GOD BE THE GLORY! In promong gender equality and advancing women’s rights, the City Vice mayor created ordinances for a more inclusive and equitable community such as an ordinance providing the Cadiz City Gender and Development Code, adopng and localizing Republic Act No. 11313 known as the Safe Spaces Act, and an ordinance instuonalizing a drug-free workplace in the Local Government of Cadiz. Through the policies and programs that have been created and adopted by the Sangguniang Panlungsod headed by Vice Doc, investments and job creaon overows in the city. Some ordinances were the availment of Livelihood Financial Loan Assistance extended to various Non-Government Organizaons and Associaons. The City Vice Mayor implemented an ordinance that pursues a public-private partnership (PPP) approach to development, lays out the process for choosing the private sector proponent, adopts a framework for contract management, provides appropriaons, and serves other goals. Vice Doc iniated a resoluon of the ongoing Farm-to-Market Road with Canal Lining from the Naonal Highway in order to promote the eciency of transportaon for agricultural goods and to improve access to markets for farmers. Resoluons and laws like the Mangrove Environmental Tourism Park in Cadiz City, the Cadiz City Heritage Code of 2018, and the renaming of the Annual Cadiz City A-ahan Fesvity Celebraon as the “Dinagsa Fesval” were supported by the City Vice Mayor for cultural preservaon in order to support the city’s economic growth and identy. An ordinance establishing the presgious beauty pageant compeon in Cadiz City and providing funding thereof as well as benets, privileges, and opportunies for integraon in government services for the declared Dinagsa Queen, the rst and second runners-up, was exclusively developed in the City of Cadiz. Vice Doc also led a resoluon that called for the development, adopon and implementaon of agri-farm tourism in all twenty-two (22) barangays of Cadiz City. Vice Mayor Decolongon has taken various steps to spearhead the enactment of dierent city ordinances and resoluons. She has several notable accomplishments in her career as a doctor, and as a public servant, as she has works immensely to improve the lives of the people in her community. Vice Doc makes sure to invest in projects and programs that can save lives and lessen the eects of disasters on communies by developing and adapng ordinances and resoluons on Pre-empve and Forced Evacuaon Mechanisms in response to man-made and natural disasters and conducng an annual training seminar program on disaster preparedness for the 22 barangays of the City. She also spearheaded resoluons proclaiming a “No Build Zone” in the city’s coastal areas that were designated as hazardous, dangerous, unsafe, and geohazards as well as a comprehensive disaster preparedness and evacuaon plan for Cadiz City. The City Vice Mayor of Cadiz passed a number of ordinances, including one to establish a comprehensive solid waste management program, another to protect the Avila Mangrove Reserve and Migratory Bird Sanctuary and designate it as a Local Conservaon Area (LCA), a third to promote energy eciency and conservaon, and a fourth to regulate the use of plasc cellophane and sando bags as packaging materials, in order to ensure sustainable development and a healthy environment that will benet the current and future generaons of Cadiz residents.Awarded Honorary Vice Mayor of the Year178

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NATION BUILDERSMakabayan’, ‘Lider’, ‘Matapang’ and ‘Mapagmahal’ are only a few words rarely associated to females in the societal context of the country and polics but was sophiscally demonstrated by Honorable Vice Mayor Josephine ‘Baby’ H. Sumangil-Evangelista as she served as a civil servant alongside her family for more than thirty-ve years. Popularly known as ‘Baby’, she might appear as a bona de darling in the face of public service but people from Los Baños would aest that she is the epitome of the alpha-female archetype – powerful, intelligent, successful, and a genuine leader. Hailing from Barangay Anos, she was born on October 30, 1968 from a simple household. She grew up with her four siblings (Jesus, Jr., Julia, Joselito and Joel) in the family of Former Vice Mayor Josena ‘Phine’ H. Sumangil and Jesus P. Sumangil. She later on married PCOL Lou Frias Evangelista which breed to the fruion of their daughter, Yzabelle. Following the footsteps of her mother and brother, Former Municipal Councilor Sonny Sumangil, she entered public service claiming the No. 1 spot as Municipal Councilor during her rst run in 2007. Undeniably, with her knowledge and inuence, she has eortlessly earned the trust of the people of Los Baños. However, to be able to stand the test of me shall cerfy her stamina and endurance in the eld. Vice Mayor Josephine ‘Baby’ H. Sumangil-Evangelista’s plaorm focuses on inclusivity, protecon and promoon of the following areas: Women, Family, Children, Educaon, Nutrion, Health, and Sports.AWARDED HONORARYVICE MAYOROF THE YEARHON. JOSEPHINE H. SUMANGIL-EVANGELISTAMUNICIPALITY OF LOS BAÑOSINA NG LOS BAÑOS179

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She adequately built her foundaon studying at UP Rural High School and UP Los Baños with a Bachelor’s degree in Zoology wherein she was able to establish aliaons with UP Biological Society and UP Sigma Alpha Sorority. Later on, she formed alliances and membership with the UPLB Alumni Associaon, Rotary Club of Los Baños Makiling, Professional Associaon of Diving Instructors, Boy Scouts of the Philippines in 2011, Girl Scouts of the Philippines in 2019, and as Chairwoman of Red Cross 143 Los Baños Chapter in 2023. With her dedicaon for public service, the Vice Mayor also completed the Basic Cizen Military Training “MASILAG” CL 03-2022 from July 2 to August 20, 2022 which she received her tle Pvt Josephine S. Evangelista LA-T22-000002 PA as a reservist. She received her diploma during the Joint Closing Ceremony of Basic Cizen Military Training and Advanced ROTC Academic Phase Training on August 21, 2022 at Camp Macario Sakay, Brgy. Lalakay, Los Baños, Laguna. Her polical career started in 2007 when she ran for oce as a Municipal Councilor landing the number one spot with the highest vote turnout. The people in Los Baños loved and trusted her which shortly elected her as the Municipal Vice Mayor in 2010. Aer much thought, Vice Mayor ran for oce as a Municipal Councilor and was elected from 2016 to 2020. As the highest ranking Sangguniang Bayan Member, she was appointed as the Municipal Vice Mayor on December 4, 2020. Due to public trust and demand, she ran again for oce acclaiming the tle Vice Mayor of Los Baños in 2022. With her heart set towards helping and transforming the lives of people, she connues to pursue her personal programs and projects to insgate cizens’ parcipaon, enthusiasm and trust to all public servants. She organized and coordinate acvies related to responsible pet ownership and rabies prevenon from 2016 to 2018 and projects on cervical cancer prevenon and detecon from 2019 to 2022. Recently, she was the overall event coordinator for the Padyak LB during the Bañamos Fesval in 2022 which promoted health and nutrion to all through involvement in cycling acvies. She is also an advocate for the Save Tadlac Lake Project in 2022 which aims to exhibit collaborave work with involved government agencies to pursue and sustain eorts in conserving the lake. The inial acvies included the physical clean-up of the lake and voluntary dismantling of sh cages and huts along the lakeshore. As an advocate for childcare, she conducted projects such as ‘Gatas Para Kay Baby’ and ‘Tinapay Para Kay Baby’ which focuses on supplying milk and food to children and their family to avoid hunger and malnutrion. Josephine did not waste me when she assumed posion as Vice Mayor of Los Baños in 2010. Despite the pandemic, she was able to enact 27 resoluons and 9 ordinances in 2020, followed by 259 resoluons and 128 ordinances, 364 resoluons and 107 ordinances in 2021 and 2022 respecvely. Currently, she has enacted 165 resoluons and 17 ordinances as of April 2023. This totaled to 815 resoluons and 261 ordinances in a less than three years. To name a few, she was also able to pass legislaon during her previous terms as Municipal Councilor such as:• Ordinance No. 2007-687 – An ordinance amending 2007-687 otherwise known as an ordinance granng burial assistance to the Senior Cizens of the Municipality of Los Baños and appropriang funds thereof.• Ordinance No. 2008-761 – An ordinance creang the Municipality of Los Baños Council for the protecon of children and appropriang one percent of the Municipality’s Internal Revenue Allotment for its implementaon pursuant to eh Republic Act No. 9344, otherwise known as “An act Establishing a Comprehensive Juvenile Jusce and Welfare System, Creang the Juvenile Jusce and Welfare Council Under The Department of Jusce, Appropriang Fund Thereof and of Other Purposes” • Ordinance No. 2009-900 – An ordinance adopng Republic Act No. 9442, an act amending Republic Act No. 7277, otherwise known as the Magna Carta for Disabled Persons, and for other Purposes” in the Municipality of Los Baños and allocang funds thereof.• Ordinance No. 2016-1551 – A new ordinance for the creaon, strengthening and instuonalizaon of the Gender and Development (GAD) System• Ordinance No. 2017 – 1609 – An ordinance creang the Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) / Breaseeding support group also known as peer counselors in the Municipality of Los Baños. • Ordinance No. 2016-1614 – An ordinance amending Secon 3 and Addendum to Ordinance No. 2012-1163: Ordinance instuonalizing the “Walk for a Cause for Cancer prevenon in women” every March in celebraon of Naonal Women’s Month in the Municipality of Los Baños, Laguna.• Ordinance No. 2017 – 1628 – An ordinance establishing the violence against women and children’s desk in all barangays of the Municipality of Los Baños.• Ordinance No. 2017 – 1633 – A new ordinance enacng the Child and Youth Welfare Code of Los Baños, Laguna• Ordinance No. 1644 – An ordinance promong the producon of nutrional food such as Nutribun, Malunggay pandesal, and the likes; as well as mandang all elementary public schools in the Municipality of Los Baños to comply with this ordinance.• Ordinance No. 2018 – 1791 – An ordinance providing comprehensive An-Discriminaon Policy on the basis of Sexual orientaon, Gender Identy, and Expression (SOGIE).• Ordinance No. 2019 – 1891 – An ordinance approving the guidelines for the provision of free casket to indigent families in the Municipality of Los Baños• Ordinance No. 1895 – An ordinance establishing Milk Storage Facility in the Municipality of Los Baños, prescribing policies and guidelines for the implementaon and appropriang funds thereof.• Ordinance No. 2019-1903 – An ordinance instuonalizing the Barangay Nutrion Scholas (BNS) in the Municipality of Los Baños. Vice Mayor Josephine ‘Baby’ Sumangil-Evangelista, as the presiding ocer of the Sangguninang Bayan from 2010 to 2013, also established and promoted a total of 182 Municipal Ordinances and 292 Municipal Resoluons.AS A LOCAL LEGISLATORPERSONAL PROGRAMS AND PROJECTSAwarded Honorary Vice Mayor of the Year181

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AWARDS & RECOGNITION Because health and nutrion are two of her priority programs, she also conducted an opcal mission wherein cizens of Los Baños where able to get free eye checkup and were issued reading glasses for free. Her connecons with Philippine Red Cross also enabled her to conduct bloodleng acvies that collects more than 400 bags of blood to be donated and use to those in need. She also recognizes the need for daily ulies and subsistence and so projects such as ‘Poso Mula sa Puso ni VM Baby’ at ‘Pagbibigay Ayuda – Groceries at Gamot’ were also two of her personal projects that were all funded from her personal nances. She also acknowledges the importance of good health and camaraderie among women where she launched her personal program, ‘ZUMBABY’, where she brings Zumba in all 14 barangays of Los Baños. She also realizes the need to help our women groups by giving and supporng them in their livelihood programs thru her project ‘Tulong Pangkabuhayan Para sa mga Kababaihan’ since 2007. Her most recent program focuses on our bedridden constuents called ‘Pagkalinga kay Nanay at Tatay’ by giving them love and hope to live longer by personally vising them in their homes. Due to her exemplary performance in public service, Vice Mayor Josephine ‘Baby’ Sumangil-Evangelista warmed the hearts of not only the cizens of Los Baños but also various award-giving bodies. She received an award from the Local Governance Performance Management System (LGPMS) on June 4, 2012 as a rst placer among all the municipalies of the Province of Laguna garnering an over-all performance index of 4.75 through exhibing strong leadership and as a catalyst of development empowering all stakeholders and transferred the local government of Los Baños, Laguna as a robust player in local governance. As a member of the Sangguninang Bayan, she also received the 2018 Local Legislave Award for the 1st to 3rd Class Municipal Category. This award covers her exemplary performance in legislang measures that help build the foundaon of meaningful local administraon and development which can be a model for replicaon by other local government units. She also received awards such as the Outstanding Award during the 2017 Search for CALABARZON Outstanding Gender and Development Implementer by the Regional Development Council which was awarded during the Regional Development Council Full Council Meeng held on December 5, 2017 at Bulwagang Batangas, Provincial Capitol, Batangas City. Hon. Vice Mayor Josephine was also recognized by the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology during the 28th Anniversary of BJMP CALABARZON on August 26, 2019. According to the Bureau, Josephine’s ordinances and resoluons had helped the BJMP achieve its mandate -- to direct, supervise and control the administraon and operaon of all district, city and municipal jails naonwide with pronged tasks of safekeeping and development of PDL. This award has gathered aenon from dierent news features as she is the only municipal councilor to receive this award. Sll, Josephine remained humble and dedicated her award to her late parents. Whenever asked about her achievements, Hon. Vice Mayor ‘Baby’, humbly answers with a smile. She says “there’s sll a long way to go”. “You will be surprised with the amount of love” there is from people if your intenons of helping are genuine. She menons that the awards only solidify her eorts but for her, the essence of public service is truly nding sustainable soluons to problems even without recognion. At the end of the day, as a mother to Yzabelle, she wants to ensure that there is a bright future waing for her, as well, as to other children. “Public service, for me, is transforming cies and municipalies into a more progressive and inclusive naon with the hopes that this will bear a naon that we can all be proud of” said the Honorable Vice Mayor. Embodying the qualies of a loving mother to the municipality and to the people of Los Baños, she promotes the pursuance of a collecve eort of helping each other that will further create a domino eect of ‘bayanihan’ which is founded in love for the country. This is why Vice Mayor Josephine ‘Baby’ Sumangil-Evangelista echoes ‘LOVE KA NI BABY’ in all her endeavors. Awarded Honorary Vice Mayor of the Year182

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NATION BUILDERSHonorable Julieta Jamito Macapaz was born on June 24, 1975 and raised at Zamboanga City, graduated at Main College, San Jose Gozo, Zamboanga City in the year 1995 with the degree of General Radio Communicaon Operator and recently graduated at Philippine Chrisan University, Malate, Manila with the degree of Bachelor of Science of Oce Administraon (BSOA) in the year 2022, stanched from her dense upbringing and the great inspiraon of her parent, Mr. Fernando Jalimao Jamito a pure Bicolano and Mrs. Susana Diongson Manago from Lamitan, Basilan and meet her love, Her movaons, husband to Police Colonel Romeo Juan Macapaz, a Philippine Naonal Police Ocer who was born and race at Jose Dalman, Zamboanga del Norte and blessed with two (2) children, a boy who graduated Financial Management. And worked as Hedge Fund Specialist in Manila and a girl, a fourth year student at UST, Manila taking-up Industrial Biology. Before joining polics, “Let” (as fondly called by her friends) was a were engage in business as her way to support her husband and being an acve member of the Ladies Ocer, a group of spouses of the Ocers in the PNP. As me goes on, she chose to lead and serve, guided with strong willpower, love, dedicaon and the Divine Intervenon because she believes that everyone was born with a noble purpose that is why polics comes her way. POLITICAL CAREER AND MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTSAWARDED HONORARYVICE MAYOROF THE YEARHON. JULIETA JAMITO MACAPAZMUNICIPALITY OF JOSE DALMANPROVINCE OF ZAMBOANGA DEL NORTE183

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Through an ecient instuon of numerous projects, Vice Mayor Let Macapaz has proven her resilience and credibility in local governance and public service. under her administraon, the Municipality of Jose Dalman received presgious awards such as the Seal of Good Housekeeping and Financial Management. Vice Mayor Let Macapaz achievements in the Jose Dalman Council gained the admiraon and respect of legislators in other LGUs in the province. In 2022, she was elected as Provincial Secretary of the Philippine Councilors League Zamboanga del Norte Federaon. Together with supporng the programs, projects, and services of Honorable Mayor Allen Tiu Ferrater, she also fronted some of the programs as the Municipal Mayor has given credence to her capabilies. Provided in the Local Government Code, the Sangguniang Bayan serves as the policy-making body of the Local Government and assists the Chief Execuve in the ecient implementaon of policies and programs adopted in line with naonal government objecves. In the absence of the Local Chief Execuve, the Municipal Vice Mayor disseminates and implements the governing rules, laws, regulaons of the Local Government. Her primary mission is to provide leadership and direcon to the Sangguniang Bayan and supports the passage of Ordinances, Resoluons, and other programs that are needed to upli the lives of the people of Jose Dalman. Hence, her vision is to commit in improving and preserving the quality of life in Jose Dalman through ecient and eecve provisions of services that draw strength and focus from quality local legislaons through transparent and inclusive governance. Her oce and the Sangguniang Bayan enact measures in the form of Resoluons and Ordinances for prompt, honest, ecient, and eecve delivery of basic services. The Vice Mayor also fully directs and supports the acvies of the Sangguniang Bayan legislave measures signicant to the smooth operaon of the Local Government and the interest of public service. As a woman of indomitable spirit, Vice Mayor Macapaz never ceases to show what she can do for the constuents and that is because of their trust bestowed upon her. Because her vision, being in the public service since 2018 is not an easy task. It requires selessness and a strong mind. As a Vice Mayor and the current Presiding Ocer of the Sangguniang Bayan, she supported the enactment, revisions of the several Municipal Ordinances and the proposal of various projects for the advancement and connuaon of her commitment to service. Under her leadership and guidance as the Presiding Ocer of the legislave body, the Sangguniang Bayan of Jose Dalman is a beehive of legislave acvies that has been churning out well thought-out ordinances and resoluons all for the beerment and advancement of the lgu.1. Gender and Development Code (GAD Code) Children’s Code 2. Comprehensive Land Use Program (CLUP) 3. An Ordinance Regulang the Selling, Serving, and Drinking of Liquor to minors.4. An Ordinance Prohibing the Use, Sale, Distribuon, and Adversement of Cigarees and Other Tobacco Products. 5. An Ordinance Regulang the Sale, Distribuon, Possession, and Use of Firecrackers and Pyrotechnic Devices. 6. An Ordinance Regulang the Use of Plasc Cellophanes and Sando Bags 7. An Ordinance Prohibing Obstrucons on Public Roads, Sidewalks, and Other Similar Public Places in the Municipality of Jose Dalman 8. Ponot Naonal High School Extension School 9. Comprehensive Development Program 10. Local Development Investment Plan 11. Several of ResoluonsAS THE PRESIDING OFFICER OF THE SANGGUNIANG BAYANLOCAL LEGISLATIONAPPROVED CODES UNDER HER TERM:Awarded Honorary Vice Mayor of the Year185

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Aer her term in Sangguniang Panlalawigan, she focused and nished her studies in Cebu City with the degree of Bachelors of Science in Pharmacy in Southwestern University last 2015. She took the Board exam the following year and became a Registered Pharmacist. Aer working in the hospital seng, she enrolled in Jose Maria College Bachelor of laws to fulll her dream of becoming a lawyer and further widen her knowledge and service in the community. In 2019, while elecon is fast approaching, her father died due to lung cancer, she became the Municipal Vice Mayor at the age of 25, up to the present. She is the youngest Vice Mayor elected in the history of the Province of Davao De Oro. Last 2022 elecons, by will of God and because of her genuine service she garnered highest number of votes among all the polical candidates in Mabini, Davao De Oro. Mabini, Davao De Oro is a 2nd class Municipality with a very diverse culture, tribes, and religion. Vice Mayor Muñoz with Islamic faith is from Kagan Tribe. Vice Halima Muñoz regardless of religion wanted a fair commitment to all her constuents. She had approved legislave measures—resoluons for Electricaon for far ung areas of Mabini, Road concreng, legislave measure for the fair distribuons of Social Amelioraon Programs of DSWD. Ordinances, all for the welfare and development of Mabinians. During the pandemic legislave measures like AUTHORIZING THE LOCAL CHIEF EXECUTIVE TO GRANT ONE-TIME COVID-19 SPECIAL RISK ALLOWANCE (SRA) TO FRONTLINE PUBLIC HEALTH WORKERS, approving an ORDINANCE PROHIBITING ANY PERSON FROM COMMITTING ANY ACT WHICH CAUSES HUMILIATION, DISHONOR OR DEFAMATION AGAINST ANY INDIVIDUAL BY REASON OF COVID-19 DISEASE AND OTHER ACTS OF SIMILAR NATURE AND IMPOSING Appropriate penales thereof. VM Muñoz is also acve in keeping her constuents safe whenever the need arises. Giving relief operaons, medical mission to name a few, and leadership trainings to the youth sector. Aside from being trustworthy, giving good governance by being transparent is what Vice Mayor Muñoz wanted the public to feel in her leadership. Other than advocang for the welfare of her constuents, Vice Mayor Muñoz always let the people feel that she is approachable whenever they need anything, that is her way to connect to the people and give as much service as she can in the name of legislaon. Regardless of her age, and even without his father by her side, she sure had a smooth sailing strong leadership in Mabini. In 2020, Plaque of Appreciaon was given to Sangguniang Bayan of Mabini under her leadership in the Local Legislave Award in recognion for notable performance in legislaon that helps build the foundaon of a meaningful local administraon and development in the Province of Davao de Oro. Vice Mayor Halima handed out nancial aid for those needing medical or burial assistance. She would ride her car, even alone, and provide help for the needy. Aside from being the regular presiding ocer of Sangguniang Bayan of Mabini aiding the mayor in terms of enacng enabling ordinances, resoluons for administraon-backed measures like the creaon of oces, creaon of necessary posions in the Local Government Unit of Mabini.Awarded Honorary Vice Mayor of the Year189

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THESE ARE SOME APPROVED ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS DURING HER INCUMBENCY UP TO THE PRESENT:LEGISLATIVE MEASURES FOR FAR FLUNG BRGY’S OF MABINI: “AN ORDINANCE DECLARING THE KADASIG FESTIVAL AS THE OFFICIAL NAME OF FESTIVITY IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF MABINI, DAVAO DE ORO TO BE CELEBRATED EVERY 28TH DAY OF MAY AS A TRIBUTE TO ITS FOUNDING ANNIVERSARY AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREOF.” “AN ORDINANCE RECOGNIZING AND GRANTING BENEFITS AND REWARDS TO RESIDENT CENTENARIAN IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF MABINI, DAVAO DE ORO.” “AN ORDINANCE INSTITUTIONALIZING THE ANNUAL OBSERVANCE OF THE LINGGO NG KABATAAN IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF MABINI, DAVAO DE ORO.” “AN ORDINANCE GRANTING AN ANNUAL ADDITIONAL ALLOWANCE IN THE AMOUNT ONE THOUSAND (P 1,000.00)PESOS TO EACH OF THE PUBLIC ELEMENTARY TEACHER AND HIGH SCHOOL TEACHERS OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF MABINI AND PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR.” “AN ORDINANCE GRANTING A CAH GIFT IN THE AMOUNT OF FIVE HUNDRED PESOS (P 500.00) AND A PLAQUE OF APPRECIATION TO ALL RETIRED PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHERS AND ALL PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHERS WHO HAVE RENDERED AT LEAST TWENTY FIVE (25) YEARS IN SERVICE WITHIN MABINI DISTRICT, MABINI, DAVAO DE ORO.” “AN ORDINANCE PROHIBITING ANY PERSON FROM COMMITTING ANY ACT WHICH CAUSES HUMILIATION, DISHONOR OR DEFAMATION AGAINST ANY INDIVIDUAL BY REASON OF COVID-19 DISEASE AND OTHER ACTS OF SIMILAR NATURE AND IMPOSING THE APPROPRIATE PENALTIES THEREOF.” ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIVE CHICKEN PRODUCTION, ESTABLISHMENT OF ABACA AND GOAT PRODUCTION PROJECTS.Approval of ASSOCIATION FOR FARMERS REPRESENTED BY ITS CHAIRMAN MR. BERNABE G. OMLA-AN. CONCERNING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF MALLARD DUCK PRODUCTION PROJECT. Approval of GOLDEN VALLEY FARMERS ASSOCIATION TACBAON-MANTUNGA REPRESENTED BY ITS CHAIRMAN MR. NARCISO I. DUDO. CONCERNING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF BANANA-LAKATAN AND GOAT PRODUCTION PROJECT. RESOLUTION PROVIDING FOR THE GRANT OF CASH INCENTIVE TO QUALIFIED JOB ORDER WORKERS IN THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNIT OF MABINI, PROVINCE OF DAVAO DE ORO. Approval of Four hundred THOUSAND PESOS (P 400,000.00) FOR MEDICINES AND OTHER LABORATORY PROCEDURES OF ALL INDIGENT PATIENTS OF THIS MUNICIPALITY in Davao de Oro Provincial Hospital. IMPLEMENTATION OF KAPANGYARIHAN AT KAUNLARAN SA BARANGAY CASH FOR WORK PERSON WITH DISABILITY (KKB-CFW-PWD). “A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE PEACE AND ORDER AND PUBLIC SAFETY PLAN FOR CALENDAR YEAR 2023-2025 OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF MABINI, PROVINCE OF DAVAO DE ORO.” CONSTRUCTION OF POTABLE WATER SYSTEM (DEEP WELL) AT BARANGAY PANGIBIRAN, MABINI, DAVAO DE ORO INVOLVING THE AMOUNT OF SIXTY MILLION PESOS (P 60,000,000.00). ROAD CONCRETING PROJECTS OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF MABINI, PROVINCE OF DAVAO DE ORO.Awarded Honorary Vice Mayor of the Year190

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NATION BUILDERSVeronica Cabacaba Ramirez is a remarkable woman who dedicated her life to public service. She is born on February 04, 1976, in Guiuan Eastern Samar, the daughter of Benjamin Cabacaba and Corazon Lagramada Cabacaba. Veronica is raised in a family that valued honesty, hard work, and public service. Although her parents are in the private sector, she grew up witnessing her parents helping their community most especially those who are in need. Aer compleng high school, Veronica pursued a degree in Bachelor of Science Major in Commerce at St. Paul’s Business of College and Law. Immediately aer her graduaon, she joined their family business and made a name for herself as one of the rising women entrepreneurs in Guiuan. Despite her success in the private sector, Veronica felt a calling to serve her community. She is inspired by her parents’ example of service to the people and wanted to make a dierence in the lives of the people in her hometown. In 2006, she decided to run for public oce as Barangay Kagawad and then later on is elected as a Municipal Councilor in Guiuan Eastern Samar. During her me as a Municipal Councilor, she sponsored ordinances focused on the most marginalized and underserved sectors of the community. She believed that it is her duty to ensure that their voices are heard and their needs are met. She worked relessly in order to expand access to resources and opportunies for these groups. She recognized that the elderly, women, and children were some of the most vulnerable members of society. She is commied to protecng their rights and ensuring that they were treated with dignity and respect. She is a passionate advocate for the rights of women and children, and her work in this area earned her the respect and admiraon of her colleagues.AWARDED HONORARYVICE MAYOROF THE YEARHON. VERONICA C. RAMIREZVICE MAYOR, GOVERNMENT OF GUIUAN, EASTERN SAMAR191

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Some of her ordinances are intended to aid the social sector such as Ordinance No. 17 Series of 2011 or Ordinance Establishing Oce of the Senior Cizens Aairs (OSCA), Ordinance No. 06 Series of 2015 otherwise known as An-tracking in Persons Ordinance, Ordinance No. 06 Series of 2017 or Children’s Code and Ordinance No. 05 series of 2017 also known as Gender and Development (GAD) Code. Likewise, Veronica, popularly known as “Vice Vero” is mindful of the need to protect our environment. She believed that it is everyone’s responsibility to preserve the natural beauty of their surroundings as one of the foundaons in building a sustainable and balanced community. She sponsored several environmental-related ordinances, including solid waste management and the declaraon of sh sanctuaries. She recognized that environmental protecon is essenal to the health and well-being of her constuents. In addion to her work on social issues and environmental protecon, Vice Vero is also commied to disaster risk reducon and migaon measures. She recognized the importance of being prepared for disasters and ensuring that the local government had measures in place to respond to emergencies. Especially that Guiuan Eastern Samar, is located in the southeastern poron of the Philippines, in the southernmost p of the region. An area prone to natural disasters such as typhoons, which can cause signicant damage to infrastructure, homes, and businesses. Infamous for being the rst landfall of the strongest typhoon ever recorded, Super Typhoon Yolanda. In 2016, she passed an ordinance pertaining implementaon of forced evacuaon in order to migate the impact and reduce the risk brought by these disasters. Awarded Honorary Vice Mayor of the Year192

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Vice Vero is a natural leader who quickly gained the trust and respect of her colleagues. Not to menon her charmful and graceful dance moves, she captured the eyes and hearts of her fellow “Guiuananons”. She is an acve member of the local government, working relessly to improve the lives of her constuents. Her dedicaon to public service did not go unnoced. Aer nishing her three terms as Municipal Councilor, in 2019, she was elected as the Vice Mayor of Guiuan Eastern Samar. She was thrilled to be given the opportunity to serve her community in a higher capacity. As the Vice Mayor, she connued to work hard to improve the quality of lives of her constuents. Vice Vero’s leadership style is characterized by her dedicaon to her constuents and her unwavering commitment to public service. Her commitment even extends not only to her town but also to the naon as she is an army reservist. She is approachable, caring, and easy to be with which inspired those around her to be their best selves. Her colleagues or co-members of the Sangguniang Bayan of Guiuan respected and admired her for her integrity, honesty, and compassion. She also owes most of her success to them, because without their support and faithful partnership over the years they would have not accomplished great things. Her work as Vice Mayor requires her to know and understand her hometown and her constuents. As she describes it “our town is rich in history, culture, and natural resources, and has long been known as the shing capital of Eastern Visayas. But we are much more than that. We are a community of God-loving and resilient people, who are commied to building a brighter future for ourselves and for future generaons.” Awarded Honorary Vice Mayor of the Year193

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She connued her passionate advocate for the rights of the vulnerable members of society, including women, children, and the elderly. She worked relessly to ensure that they were protected and had access to the services they needed. Her work on environmental protecon is also notable, and she connued to push for more sustainable pracces in the community. Parcularly in the shing industry, which is the bread and buer of the people in Guiuan and envisioning to be the premier shing industry in the region. As the Presiding Ocer of the Sangguniang Bayan of Guiuan, numerous sh sanctuaries were declared in order to preserve and maintain the rich and diverse aqua-marine life in town. Addionally, in order to enforce the protecon of this marine life, Ordinance No. 04 Series of 2022 or the Basic Fishery Ordinance of Guiuan Eastern Samar was passed. The said ordinance would not only protect the marine life of Guiuan but also it would help to improve the lives of the sherfolks sector. Being a great visionary, Vice Vero is mindful that Guiuan will not only be known for its shing industry but also become a premier desnaon for heritage, tourism and business. She believes that Guiuan has the potenal to become a center of culture and history in the region and a thriving hub of economic acvity, aracng investment and creang jobs for the residents. In order to achieve her vision, she understands that Guiuan needs competent, innovave, and inclusive governance, which values the input and parcipaon of all members of the community. There is a need for eecve, proacve and reacve ordinances that will support the Municipal Mayor in giving order and improving the town. There must be unity in order to idenfy and address the challenges that we face, while also building on the strengths and opportunies. Vice Vero’s leadership was tested during the COVID-19 pandemic. She worked relentlessly to ensure that her constuents were informed about the virus and the measures that they needed to take to stay safe. She worked with dierent naonal agencies and non-government organizaons to implement measures that would help to slow down the spread of the virus, including the distribuon of face masks and the implementaon of physical distancing measures. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, she remained commied to public service. She worked relessly to ensure that the needs of her constuents were met and that they had access to the services they needed during this dicult me. Her leadership during the pandemic earned her the respect and admiraon of her colleagues and constuents alike. As she stated in one of her interviews, “despite these challenges, I remain deeply commied to serving my community and to working to ensure that we are prepared for whatever challenges the future may bring. I am inspired by the resilience and strength of the people in my hometown, the Guiuananons, and I am condent that, by working together, we can overcome any obstacle.” In conclusion, Veronica Cabacaba Ramirez is a remarkable woman who dedicated her life to public service. Her work as a Municipal Councilor and Vice Mayor had a signicant impact on the lives of the people in her community. She is a passionate advocate for the rights of the vulnerable members of society, including women, children, and the elderly. She is also commied to environmental protecon and disaster risk reducon and management. Vice Vero’s leadership already cemented a legacy. A legacy which will touch countless lives through her excellent work in the public service.Awarded Honorary Vice Mayor of the Year194

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NATION BUILDERSAWARDED HONORARYCOUNCILOROF THE YEARHON. HANDY T. LAONATIONAL PRESIDENT, PHILIPPINE COUNCILORS LEAGUEPCL PRESIDENT, PROVINCE OF ILOCOS NORTECOUNCILOR, CITY GOVERNMENT OF LAOAGHandy T. Lao, one of Laoag City’s noblest public servants, is known to many Ilokanos as “HANDY pendable” for his dedicaon to leading and caring for his constuents. He has always been a strong leader in his own business, even before coming into polics as a Councilor in 2016. He had already proven himself as a successful entrepreneur, having founded and led the Vertext Handy phones. Lao’s style of public service to Ilokanos is disnguished by his solid experse in markeng and business, as well as his deep-rooted principles of persistence, integrity, and compassion. His inspiring leadership has undoubtedly given hope to his fellow Laoageños. He sponsored City Ordinance No. 2021-032, An Ordinance Instuonalizing TheMarunggay Fesval, Providing Funds Therefor, and Other Purposes, as a City Councilor. Acvies such as marunggay planng in every barangay, seminars and conferences on proper propagaon, producon, processing, and markeng, informaon disseminaon, and feeding programs are required to further improve the Ilokanos’ overall well-being, as well as improve agri-business in the city, by supplemenng needed food supplies and beneng from its high nutrional value, especially during mes of health crisis.OUTSTANDING LEGAL INITIATIVES195

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Lao draed City Ordinance No. 2021-124 — An Ordinance Granng Milestone Award to Senior Cizens Aged Eighty Years and Above in the City of Laoag, Ilocos Norte, Oering Funds Therefor, and for Other Purposes, as part of his desire of providing inclusive programs for his fellow Ilokanos. Its goal is to provide a nancial award to senior adults in Laoag City who are bona de residents, ranging in age from eighty (80) to ninety-nine (99) years old, as an incenve to spend me with their own families. By virtue of City Ordinance No. SP-2021-008, Lao proposed the granng of displaced Overseas Filipino Employees who are registering new business/es in the City of Laoag in 2021. The COVID-19 pandemic had a signicant impact on Overseas Employees (OFW), who were obliged to return home by their employers because to the economic collapse, thereby losing their jobs. The majority of them are looking to start a small business as a source of income and are hoping for government help. Through this ordinance, the City Government of Laoag assists displaced Overseas Ilokanos in registering new enterprises by oering them with free business permits and licenses. In addion, he sponsored City Ordinance No. 2020-030 — An Ordinance Providing Dierently Abled Persons, Senior Cizens, and Pregnant Women Facilitaon Through Priority/Express Lane in Entering Public Establishments and Government Agencies In View of the New Normal, to ensure the welfare and protecon of the people under the vulnerable group, and to support the improvement of their total well-being into the mainstream of society. City Ordinance No. 2017-022, which protects customers in transacons involving used or secondhand telephones, is another of his notable ordinances. The ordinance requires sellers to present legimate paperwork proving his or her and the item’s identy, source, and informaon. This focus on consumer welfare has strengthened Lao’s posion as a proacve leader, smulang economic acvity among constuents while also establishing boundaries and legal frameworks to safeguard them from being duped or deceived by individuals with nefarious movaons. The ordinance was enacted in response to President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s signing of Republic Act (R.A) 11202, oen known as the “Mobile Number Portability Act,” which authorizes mobile service providers to oer subscribers naonwide mobile number portability.Awarded Honorary Councilor of the Year196

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Connuing to champion transparency and public accountability in the City Government of Laoag, Lao also co-sponsored Ordinance No. 2017-023, Operaonalizing Freedom of Informaon (FOI) and providing guidelines thereof for the local government. Lao also ran on a plaorm of gender equality to promote gender-sensive legislaon. He founded the Mister Laoag Pageant in 2017. The local pageant has evolved into a plaorm for men’s empowerment and advocacy in Ilocos Norte, as well as a venue for abolishing gender roles. In September 2017, the representave of Ilocos Norte won Mister Ocean Philippines 2017 and sponsored City Resoluon No. 2017-053, which congratulated and commended him. Following that, the Ilokano candidate competed in and won the Mister Model Worldwide 2018 Pageant in New Delhi, India, being the rst Filipino to do so. He was a former runner-up in the Mister Laoag Pageant, demonstrang Lao’s world-class event organizaon and administraon skills and achieving the goal of maximizing candidates’ ability for greater opportunies. His leadership as Chairperson of the Commiee on Agriculture and Livelihood is unmatched since he combines genuine enthusiasm with public service. He connues to support and parcipate in the city government’s “Livestock Dispersal Project,” “Plant Plant Plant Program,” as well as the distribuon of seeds and seedlings, organic ferlizers, agricultural machinery and equipment, and other agriculture inputs. Furthermore, he is commied to bolstering agricultural programs such as “Urban Gardening and Edible Landscaping” and “Organic Gulayansa Barangay,” both of which were established by the City Government, as well as individuals and youth organizaons, for long-term food producon. He now serves as the chairman of the Commiees on Tourism and Culture, Ways and Means, and Finance and Appropriaons. Likewise, as a Chief Pey Ocer of the Naval Reserve Command, Lao worked with the Laoag City Search and Rescue Team, the Philippine Navy, the 113th Naval Combat Service Support Reserve, ocials of certain barangays, and other volunteer groups for the preservaon and protecon the city, parcularly the coastal communies, through the conduct of coastal clean-up and tree planng acvies, ocular inspecons, and bay watch dues. Among the areas served includes the coastal areas of Brgys. Caaoacan and Calayab, and the sand dunes in La Paz, Laoag City. He is determined to evaluate the potenal of new tourist aracons in Laoag City, which has long served as Ilocos Norte’s commercial and business center.RESPONSIVE AND RESPONSIBLE LEADERSHIPAwarded Honorary Councilor of the Year197

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Truly, as a source of hope to many, Lao has been guiding the people of Laoag City towards the brighter side of life. Since Ilocos Norte is a frequent trail of typhoons and a power outage is being experienced most of the me, he oers “Libreng Tawag” (Free Calls) and Charging Staons in dierent evacuaon sites through his “Vertext Cares” program. With the use of the service, overseas Ilokanos and people outside the province can communicate with their relaves and loved ones. Indeed, at mes of calamity, crisis, and uncertainty, Councilor Lao has demonstrated iniave and response to the city’s needs.A SOURCE OF LIGHT, ASPIRATION, AND OPTIMISM In addion to these disaster-response measures, the “Vertext Cares” program oers relief outreach programs, as well as feeding programs, school supply distribuon, and academic and sports scholarships to children and students. Lao also founded a blood bank at the Mariano Marcos Memorial Hospital and Medical Center aer a bale with dengue fever and direct experience with the diculty of obtaining adequate blood transfusions. He consider it as a way to give back to his community. With his sense of volunteerism and leadership, Lao is currently one of the Board Directors of Philippine Red Cross-Ilocos Norte Chapter. More than just a business establishment, his “Vertext Handyphones” also serves as an avenue to providing more opportunies to Ilokano youth. As a maer of fact, Lao has opened the doors of its company to accommodate students parcipang in cellphone and computer technician classes, as well as television installer courses, for internships. He has also donated equipment and facilies to one of the biggest secondary schools in the province, as well as connues to assist graduates in nding employment and other sources of income. Undoubtedly, Lao’s one of priority programs is geared towards youth welfare, parcularly through honing their skills and inslling in them the unique Ilokano values of courage and dedicaon. During the pandemic, he helped to develop the Laoag City Community Pantry, which heightened the culture of giving and sharing, as well as bayanihan, by oering free food stus and local produce to cizens in need, in partnership with the City Government. Several private groups and people have also donated addional food items to the eort, demonstrang their support. As a leading proponent of the digital revoluon, Lao also provided an innovaon called “LAOAG PASS” to facilitate a safer, more convenient, and more reliable contact tracing record at the Laoag City Public Market. It is a technological device that would eliminate the process of manually wring down the name and informaon required by safety regulaons before entering the supermarket.Awarded Honorary Councilor of the Year198

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NATION BUILDERSDesny is like molding gold. It needs the right kind of re and a venerable shape before it can be soened, molded and hardened to achieve its foremost prime and purpose. Each person was born with passion burning inside, but how it can be used to reach the highest possible version of ourselves and to be of great service to men, we hold such decisions in our hands. The quest to “go for gold” came at an early age for Marky Oliveros. Hailing from a family where service to fellowmen and love of country is inherent, he has understood early on how it is to be seless and to think of the welfare of others rst before himself. As a child, he would join acvely in various civic and charity works that exposed him to dierent faces and brought him to dierent places where poverty is imminent and living is a struggle. While his contemporaries were busy plong their future careers, Marky was already considering how he can be of service to his fellowmen. Being brazened by stories of injusce and inhumane acts belligerent during his young adulthood years, he made a life-altering decision to pursue law so that he may help defend the poor and oppressed who oen fall prey to unscrupulous perpetrators due to lack of capacity to hire defense on court.Leadership was already venerable during his early adulthood. He always had the foresight, the wisdom to share and the passion to learn. He wanted nothing but to use himself to improve the lives of the people yearning to be helped. He believed that God gave him the right capabilies to make him benecial in the name of upliing the lives of other. AWARDED HONORARYCOUNCILOROF THE YEARHON. MARKY “KONSITORNI” S. OLIVEROSCOUNCILOR, CITY GOVERNMENT OF SAN PEDRO, LAGUNA GO FOR GOLD: INSIDE THE LIFE OF ‘KONSITORNEY’ MARKY OLIVEROS, SAN PEDRO CITY’S LAWYER AND PUBLIC SERVANT201

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Thus, his rise to the challenge of helming the presidency of his home village came as no surprise. Under his gold standard of leadership, he provided opportunies to help his colleagues unleash the best version of themselves. His snt in this posion served as a solid foundaon for more civic roles he would take on, including his acve role as servant of the church in its reverberang acvies like the Parish Renewal Experience (PREX) and other religious acvies that have shaped the lives of hundreds of individuals who wanted to begin a new lease on life. Be it a stroke of luck, coincidence or simply the work of desny, the east direcon seems to play a vital role in his personal and professional life. It was in the University of the East where he nished a Bachelor of Arts Degree. This is where he also took up law and passed the bar in 2005. Aer passing the bar, he immediately forayed into the excing and exhausng world of law. He began his pracce as a private lawyer and ligator. With his innate skill, hardwork, passion and indefagable dedicaon to service, he earned the monicker “Abogado ng San Pedro.” Taking his knack for public service a few notches higher, he established a remarkable program which will serve as a landmark project not only for San Pedronians but also for other public servants who were inspired by the trail he started- the Free Legal Assistance and Counselling (FLAC), which aims to provide free legal advise to all local cizens and provide them with various possible opons to resolve conicts amicably if seling the maers in court can be prevented. This also covers free notarizaon to spare San Pedronians from the cost of this mandatory legal procedure.Awarded Honorary Councilor of the Year202

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With his sincerity and honesty, he would explain in depth the merits of a case or legal situaon without reservaon so that it can be understood well by the aggrieved party, and aer which, he provides avenues in which the problems can be immediately solved. The success of this program became a gamechanger for Ay. Marky. The long lines in his oce every Tuesday serves as testament to his unmatched knowledge of the law, and the impact he has created in serving the people who rely on him for help. With his accomplishments and achievements, the call to seek public oce rose as the countless lives he has touched deemed it necessary that being a public ocial will not only allow him to expand his reach of service, but more so, contribute to the beerment of the connuous development of the City of San Pedro by strengthening the local government unit’s legislave sector. Despite being sased with his career and his capability to serve his fellowmen, he took a leap of faith despite having limited campaign resources and ran as councilor. His rst few aempts became a learning curve, and never took a toll on his burning passion to sustain the gold standard of service he has started. When invited again to give the councillorship one more try, he had a few qualms because he gured the lay of the polical landscape in the locality. He seemed like a David vying against some of the city’s polical Goliaths who were either veteran policians, inuenal gures or those who have limitless campaign resources. He prayed for divine guidance and intervenon that if the almighty wills that he forays into polics one last me, he be provided with the nancial and material resources needed to run a successful campaign. With the guidance of their party’s standard bearer, then Vice Mayor and now incumbent Mayor Art Mercado, together with the pooled resources from his supporve family, friends and most importantly, the people whose lives he has touched tremendously, it seemed like desny waived all the hindrances and challenges on his path and paved the way towards apparent victory this me. Instead of relying on name recall or giving dole outs to his fellow San Pedronians, he presented himself in all honesty and approached each of them mind to mind and heart to heart. He explained why it is important to vote using one’s discernment and conscience, and what would be the impact in the long run if voters do not choose wisely. He then laid out his projects and programs which made him shine even more since his constuents discovered that he was not only a man of law but a true jack of all trades whose wisdom was built through many years of unparalleled experience. On May 2023, aer a long and tedious climb amidst the cacophony of the local elecons, he ranked 5th among the winning councilors of San Pedro City. His prayers have already been answered. With love and gratude overowing in his heart, he took the me to thank all the people who became God’s vessel of blessing which sustained him through the ardent journey of becoming a public ocial.Awarded Honorary Councilor of the Year203

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Today, he has proven that he is worth the vote of all San Pedronians. He delivered beyond the call of his service with the mindset that he must be a pillar of hope for all his fellowmen. He recognizes that he is now one of the leaders of his city, and one of the vanguards of the future of the generaons that will look back on the services he delivered during his me. With the condence and trust of his colleagues and fellow public servants, he has been entrusted the chairmanship of the Commiee on Peace and Order, Prohibited Drugs and Public Safety. Through the pieces of legislaon he has craed and the laws he has passed, San Pedronians enjoy the benet of living in a peaceful, orderly and progressive city which readily provides all of the necessies in order for them to live their best lives. Indeed, if one peaks in the life of San Pedro’s rst ‘KonsiTorney,’ a term of endearment which embodies both his role as a councilor and an aorney all rolled into one amazing and dynamic individual, desny molded Marky Oliveros accordingly so that he may become ‘gold.’ The challenges and hurdles he has faced served as the right kind of re. His passion for his fellowmen soened and molded him, then made him tough so that he may achieve his foremost prime and purpose. He was born with passion burning inside, and how he decided to use it made him reach the highest possible version of himself so that he may be of great service to San Pedronians. If Ay. Marky holds such decisions in his hands, then, through the guidance of the Almighty, the love of his family and the support of his constuents, he made his decisions well. He could have opted to just provide what is expected of him, but he chose not to limit himself and give the best that he can in order to reciprocate the love and trust of those who believe and rely on him. In terms of the standards of leadership and public service, he could have just opted to go for bronze or silver, but being the perfeconist that he is, he opted to go for gold.Awarded Honorary Councilor of the Year204

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NATION BUILDERSKert Lean Cabadonga, is the eldest and only female child of Mr. Norberto L. Cabadonga and Mrs. Catherine N. Cabadonga. She was born on October 8, 1994, in Kiara, Don Carlos, Bukidnon, and aended Bocboc S.D.A. Elementary School and Bocboc Naonal High School for her primary and secondary educaon, respecvely. At Central Mindanao University, Kert Lean completed her bachelor’s degree and later obtained Masters in Management at Mountain View College. As she believes educaon is an investment, Kert Lean connued to pursue her doctorate and is now in her nal semester in a doctoral program in management with a Leadership and Organizaon concentraon at Liceo de Cagayan University.Looking back on her childhood, connuously being voted as the class president ignited Kert Lean’s desire for leadership. In her young mind, she wanted to be an excellent example for the kids around her. In 2009, Kert Lean was elected as the high school’s Supreme Student Government President and Bukidnon Federaon of Supreme Student Government’s Vice President. At a me when waste management was a problem, especially in the school eld, due to students’ lack of discipline, Kert Lean raised the issue of green care advocacy. She spearheaded the campus to pracce picking up trash, which led to proper waste disposal and a cleaner, greener school eld. These are a few signicant dierences Kert Lean made with her inuence.AWARDED HONORARYCOUNCILOROF THE YEARHON. KERT LEAN N. CABADONGAMUNICIPALITY OF DON CARLOS, BUKIDNON205

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In 2010, despite the cliché, Kert Lean convinced her parents that she would run for Sangguniang Kabataan Chairman, although they have no family history in polics. All praise to God for He heard Kert Lean’s request and made it such that she would further be elected President of the Sangguniang Kabataan Federaon in their municipality. The province gave the Outstanding SK Federaon President awards for 2011 and 2012 in recognion of Kert Lean’s accomplishments during her tenure. She encouraged the Sangguniang Kabataan ocials to partake in tree-growing acvies in Don Carlos, Bukidnon. Another notable program included the growth of sports through the annual Sangguniang Kabataan Youth Camp.Amid the impact she was already making, Kert Lean did not limit herself to leadership. She also competed in beauty pageants and won awards, including Miss SK Bukidnon 2012, Miss Sumo-sumo 1st Runner-Up, Laga ta Bukidnon Don Carlos Representave 2013, and Laga Ta Bukidnon Darling of the Press 2013.Furthermore, parcipang in acvies that foster physical and mental health and well-being via interacon with nature started in 2017; Kert Lean advocates for environmental protecon. She joined a few mountaineering groups and conquered the top ve mountains in the Philippines: 1. Mt. Apo - 2,956 meters in Davao and North Cotabato2. Mt. Dulang-dulang - 2,938 m in Kitanglad Mountain Range, Bukidnon3. Mt. Pulag - 2,922 m in Grand Cordillera Central, Benguet4. Mt. Kitanglad - 2,899 m in Kitanglad Mountain Range, Bukidnon5. Mt. Kalatungan - 2,880+ m in Kalatungan Mountain Range, BukidnonAwarded Honorary Councilor of the Year206

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As the rst termer, Kert Lean has top priority legislave requirements:1. Educaonal Assistance Program;2. Granng Cash Incenves to Deserving Individual or Group Who Garner Medals and Awards that Give Honor and Presge to the Municipality in the Dierent Fields of Sports, Academic, Literary, Musical, Culture and the Arts, Science and Technology, Special Projects and Programs;3. Sports Development Programs;4. Tourism and Culture Development Programs, such as Tourism-Environmental Educaon Program for the People/Learners to Raise the Level of Their Consciousness on Tourism, Environment, Tradions, Culture, and History of the Municipality;5. Local Adopon of RA 8972 - An Act Providing for Benets and Privileges to Solo Parents and Their Children, Appropriang Funds Therefore and For Other Purposes;6. Ordinance on the Regulaon on the Use of Tourism Sites;7. Legislaon on Regulang the Single Use Plascs and Styrofoam;8. Animal Welfare and Rights.Kert Lean trusts in God’s guidance. She rmly believes that whatever she currently possesses is His will. And in return for that, Kert Lean leads with love. She lives her guiding principle that a leader’s actual self is revealed in their heart. Your emoons and desires all come from your heart. The thing that es you to others the closest is your heart. This is where the phrase “love God, love others” starts. The interpersonal aspect of leadership is what it is. Knowing the value of connecon and that being known is one of the most basic human needs allows one to lead from the heart.Awarded Honorary Councilor of the Year208

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NATION BUILDERSNotable for her consistent work in moon as a public servant, an advocate of gender equality, a strong pillar when it comes to childcare and family support system and an ecient aid to environmental policies, Councilor Richelle “Sae” Naguit is truly paving her way with her impacul inuence and service to her hometown Minalin, Pampanga. From brainstorming, to planning, to making her visions come true to life, truth be told, nothing can stop a leader whose intenons are always for the beer, especially when it comes to the place she was born to serve. Aer all, a leader is a follower of what is true, what is fair and does what’s best for the people, in spite of the diversity in the society. “The ulmate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort, but where he stands at mes of challenge and controversy.” – Marn Luther King Jr. When pandemic took not just everyone’s aenon, but has shaken and put most lives and future at risk, children and elderly people at most, two strong resoluons were passed in April and May 2021 to ensure the safety of the people of Minalin. Ulmately, the greatest lesson that COVID-19 can teach humanity is that we are all in this together. – Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw. The Sangguniang Bayan members, spearheaded by Councilor Sae, promulgated two back-to-back resoluons to ensure that the health of the Minaleños was a top priority. AWARDED HONORARYCOUNCILOROF THE YEARHON. RICHELLE P. NAGUITCOUNCILOR, MUNICIPALITY OF MINALIN, PAMPANGATHE COUNCILOR OF THE YEAR IS A WOMAN. THE COUNCILOR OF THE YEAR IS RESILIENT.209

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Entled “Resoluon authorizing the Honorable Edgardo G. Flores, Municipal Mayor, to enter into a memorandum of agreement with the Provincial Government of Pampanga to authorize the Provincial Government to purchase COVID-19 vaccines for the Municipality of Minalin,” and “Resoluon authorizing the Honorable Edgardo G. Flores, Municipal Mayor, to enter into a memorandum of understanding with the Regional Oce of the Department of Educaon (DepEd) for the establishment of Municipal Vaccinaon Center for COVID-19 in Sta. Rita Elementary School in Minalin,” these noed the people and gave them not just smile on their faces, but more importantly, hope that is fueled by courage – that once gain, a bright future awaits. It was such a crucial period for everyone, yet Councilor Sae proved that she is one of the true leaders who stays and seeks progress notwithstanding crical circumstances, regardless of the pressure and uncertainty presented by the most unexpected dilemma that shocked the world. “People don’t care how much you know - until they know how much you care.” – John C. Maxwell. Connuously looking for a soluon, the public servants of the Municipality of Minalin promulgated another order. With Councilor Sae bringing up a new Ordinance that came up to be, “An Ordinance Regulang The Holding of Fesvies Such As But Not Limited To Pares, Mass Cash Giving, Caroling During This Christmas Season Because Of The COVID-19 Pandemic” and “An Ordinance Providing for the Enhanced Vaccinaon Mandate To Regulate The Mobility Of Unvaccinated Individuals Within The Territorial Jurisdicon of the The Municipality of Minalin, Pampanga And Providing Penales For Violaon Thereof” to prevent the spread of the deadly virus were also approved. THE COUNCILOR OF THE YEAR KNOWS HOW TO “FILL TWO NEEDS WITH ONE DEED.”“If you want your people to think, don’t give instrucons, give intent.” – David Marquet When a leader tells the reason behind a task or a movement, it is important to let the people fully understand the goal. Focusing further on health concerns, it is without doubt that “diseases” don’t merely exist to challenge us human beings, but these diseases come out severely as a result of improper use of natural resources, damaging and threatening various ecosystems. Some of the ordinances of Councilor Sae aims to help not just the people, but also to focus on protecng and restoring Mother Nature – A Win-Win situaon, per se. Awarded Honorary Councilor of the Year210

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“Ordinance Instuonalizing Dengue Prevenon And Control Program, Requiring All Constuents of Minalin, Pampanga To Strictly Implement “Enhanced 4S Strategy Against Dengue and Sabayang 4 O’clock Habit Para “Deng-Get-Out” And Providing Penales For Violaon Thereof,” was a big help in able to control the spread of Dengue not just within a specic area, but to the enrety of the aforemenoned town. The prevenve measures have helped the community immensely and eecvely. “Ordinance Instung the Bio-Intensive Gardening (B.I.G) Program In The Municipality of Minalin, Pampanga Prescribing Measures for Its Implementaon Thereof And For Other Purposes,” and “Ordinance Banning Smoking and Vaping in Public Places and Conveyances and Regulang the Sale, Procurement and Distribuon of Tobacco and Vape Products in the Municipality of Minalin, Pampanga and Imposing Penalty for Violaon Thereof” were also highly benecial. These ordinances promoted discipline to many cizens as well. “An ounce of prevenon is worth a pound of cure.” – Benjamin Franklin. As a leader who connuously cares for her people, Councilor Sae’s aspiraons grew, resulng to her further seek medical assistance, especially to help her fellow women. Her aim has given birth to a collaboraon between the Municipality of Minalin and the Rotary Club of Maka Circle of Friends and the Philippine Cancer Society. In preference, an upcoming Breast and Cervical Screening Test and Prevenon will soon be conducted in the Municipality of Minalin, Pampanga past the middle of the year. Together with the BHW’s and Clinica Deala Family and Maternity Clinic, “Operaon Tuli” is also done yearly and Flu vaccines are distributed and administered to the Minaleños. “When girls are valued less than boys, women less than men, they face mulple risks throughout their lives – at home, at work, at school, from their families and from strangers. Gender-based violence is a major consequence of gender inequality. It is a worldwide phenomenon.”– Bukky Shonibare, an acvist in Nigeria and strategic team member of the #BringBackOurGirls campaign. Whether it’s educaon, economic empowerment, disparies in agriculture, access to healthcare or marriage, gender equality plays a major role in dictang the interacon and outcome of all the abovemenoned. For the past few years, the topic has turned into a complex synergy. “An Ordinance Providing For A Comprehensive An-Discriminaon Policy On The Basis Of Sexual Orientaon, Gender Identy And Expression (SOGIE) In The Municipality Of Minalin, Province Of Pampanga” is currently in the works of Councilor Sae to solidify its deeper purpose for the Minaleños who are facing dicules when it comes to this maer. “Agriculture is the most healthful, most useful and most noble employment of man.” – George Washington. It is not a surprise that the number one source of income of Minalin is Agriculture. The town is known as the “Egg Basket of Central Luzon” because of its large scale producon of eggs and chickens. Other products include shrimp, crab and Tilapia. Councilor Sae knows and understands the needs of her fellow Cabalens, as her family also runs a Fishpond business. In fact, more than 20 tons of Tilapia were also given to their fellow Minaleños as help during the pandemic. “The natural resources we’ve depended on, if the places where they exist are not stable, our own livelihood and our health is put at risk.” – Je Corwin Meanwhile, to improve the sh-handling in Minalin, “An Ordinance Regulang The Transport of Fish And Other Aquac Or Fishery Products In The Municipality Of Minalin, Pampanga And Providing Penalty Therefore And Formulang The Necessary Implemenng Rules and Regulaons For The Purpose” was imposed. Recently, Minaleños were urged to take care of hydroponic greenhouse to increase the earnings of the farmers and vegetable growers to achieve food security. The project was made possible through the High-Value Crops Development Program, making Minalin one of the fastest growing economy in Pampanga.THE COUNCILOR OF THE YEAR CARES FOR THE LIVELIHOOD OF THE PEOPLE SHE LEADS.THE COUNCILOR OF THE YEAR VALUES GENDER EQUALITY.THE COUNCILOR OF THE YEAR “SEEKS” FOR THE SICK.Awarded Honorary Councilor of the Year211

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THE COUNCILOR OF THE YEAR CONTINUES TO ASPIRE AND INSPIRE. “A leader is one who sees more than others see, who sees farther than others see and who sees before others see.” – Leroy Eimes, Author and Leadership Expert. Environment and upbringing are the two major driving forces of growth and development. Furthermore, these are what fuel someone’s behavior, which evidently plays a pernent role in order to fulll eecve and strong leadership. “The greatest leader is not necessarily the one who does the greatest things. He is the one that gets the people to do the greatest things.”– President Ronald Reagan More than the tle given, what makes Councilor Sae a true leader is her reless paern of service and her never-ending hope for the people of Minalin to have beer lives. Rapid Cooperaon and Community Development signify good leadership, which she has proven to connuously take place in her hometown. As her nal term as a Councilor comes to an end, she would like to thank her mentors and all the people who guided her ever since she started her journey as a public servant, namely: Former Mayor Arturo “Katoy” Naguit, Former Vice Mayor Edgardo “Maganto” Yambao, SB Sec. Carolina Tungul, Former Board Member Cesar Magat, her siblings, Jj, Anna Mae, Kariza, Earl and last but not the least, her very supporve parents, Mr. Monico and Mrs. Imelda Naguit. Indefagable when it comes to empowering the youth, connuously caring for elders and building a beer place for young children, together with the help of the cooperave constuents, other public ocials and all the people leading and helping the Municipality of Minalin, Pampanga, progress is indeed growing. Awarded Honorary Councilor of the Year212

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NATION BUILDERSHON. RAYMUND ASERIOS BALAGAPO, was born on November 05, 1968, in Manila, Philippines to Dr. Cirilo R. Balagapo Jr., rered Regional Director of the Dept. of Agriculture, Region 8 and to Dr. Igmedia A. Balagapo, rered Chief of Secondary Educaon, DepEd, Region 8. He is married to Genevieve Joy P. Ensoy, a school teacher. Their marriage is blessed with a son – Cyril John E. Balagapo. He has two siblings Dr. Ma. Belen A. Balagapo, a cardiologist and Rev. Msgr. Erwin A. Balagapo, canon lawyer of PROPAGANDA FIDE, Vacan, Italy. Hon. Raymund A. Balagapo devoted most of his me in Public Service. He joined Brgy 109. Council as Kagawad in 2002 unl 2009, and from 2014 to 2018. He was elected and assumed Brgy. Chairman in 2018 unl the present. • Founding Charter member, Barangay Councilors league of the Philippines.• Board of Director, Philippine Red Cross Leyte Chapter• Board of Director, DX5RAN – District 5 Amateur Network Incorporated• Vice President for Volunteer Probaon Assistant for Tacloban-Biliran-Leyte (TABILE)• AUX Commander and District Sta for Operaons, Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary District Eastern Visayas• Sergeant, Philippine Air Force Reserve 53rd EFGR• Barangay Captain, Barangay 109, V&G Subdivision, Tacloban CityAWARDED HONORARYBARANGAY CAPTAINOF THE YEARHON. RAYMUND A. BALAGAPOBARANGAY 109, V&G SUBDIVISION, TACLOBAN CITYBARANGAY 109 DURING THE COVID 19 PANDEMIC The covid 19 pandemic has raised serious uncertaines not only in our country but worldwide. Iniaves to prevent its spread has always been a formidable challenge especially to local government units. 213

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Barangay 109, being a community of professionals with a good number of health workers, has recorded high incidence of Covid-19 cases during the height of the pandemic, mostly acquired from work. Thus, implemenng strict lockdown to prevent the spread of the infecon has been an ordeal for the local government unit. To keep the Barangay residents updated on the day-to-day incidence of infected cases and their status as well as to disseminate important informaon/announcements, the Barangay council made use of social media plaorm by creang the Facebook Account ‘BARANGAY 109 TACLOBAN COVID-19 UPDATES’. Lectures from invited medical praconers and City Health Ocials were aired via zoom. A 24-hour checkpoint was installed on specied entrance and exit points while closing other gateways to limit mobility of the residents who were issued passes and at the same me screen entry of visitors. Food items were distributed on a house-to-house basis every now and then to extend assistance to the homeowners. However, when the quaranne protocol became less strict, food caravan was allowed every Saturday morning. This was staoned outside the Barangay Elementary School grounds where residents can purchase sh, vegetables, and poultry from local producers. Some producers received technical assistance from a reree of the Dept. of Agriculture residing in the barangay who likewise facilitate procurement of planng materials, seeds, ferlizers, inseccides, etc. from the City Agriculture oce. When church acvies were allowed, Barangay Ocials helped ensure that COVID protocols were observed. The Barangay Ocials likewise spearheaded informaon disseminaon by going around the place (bandillo) when Covid-19 vaccine was already available. They conducted mobile vaccinaon for senior cizens and those with special needs. Open places vaccinaon in jeepney terminals, market and commercial establishments were also held. Because of these, Barangay 109 was one among the few barangays of Tacloban City to have been declared with HERD IMMUNITY in November, 2021. In February 2022, during the ‘ NEW YEAR’S CALL’, the DILG of Tacloban City, cited Barangay 109 as the ‘Number One TOP PERFORMING BARANGAY of Tacloban City with a Rang of 92%.SOCIAL AND DISASTER OUTREACHPROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIESRegion 8 is not new to various calamies and disasters. In fact, Tacloban City has experienced the onslaught of the strongest typhoon in recent history. On November 8, 2013, super typhoon ‘YOLANDA’ or ‘HAIYAN’ hardly hit Tacloban City and nearby communies leaving more than 7,000 deaths, and millions worth of damages to residenal and commercial buildings, churches, historical structures, bridges, roads, etc. Valuable crops and other sources of livelihood of the city folks and nearby localies were destroyed. During ‘Typhoon Odee’ Barangay 109 Council iniated disaster outreach programs. One was held on January 17, 2022 to seven barangays in the hard-hit towns of Liloan, San Francisco, and Libagon, Southern Leyte. Relief items and used clothing solicited from the residents, government and non-government organizaons were distributed to the said localies. On April 14, 2022, some residents of Abuyog, Leyte, which is 60 kms from Tacloban City, suered from heavy ood due to prolonged heavy rains. Barangay 109 ocials againdistributed food packs, boled drinking water, vitamins and medicines solicited from barangay centers andpharmaceucal establishments. In the succeeding years with several typhoons and heavy downpours, ooding some of the streets of the Barangay, the ocials conduct canals and outlet de clogging before the ancipated typhoon. These acvies proved that public service has no boundaries.Awarded Honorary Barangay Captain of the Year214

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BARANGAY 109 – ONE OF THE MODEL BARANGAYS OF TACLOBAN CITYSPORTS DEVELOPMENT AND PHYSICAL FITNESSOTHER ACTIVITIES/FEATURES OF BARANGAY 109 The DILG through- out the country evaluated Barangay performances. Barangay 109 was evaluated by MIMAROPA DILG and was awarded Number 1 OF THE TOP MODEL BARANGAYS of Tacloban City for CY 2021. Its special feature considered as an essenal innovaon is its’ DATA-BASED PROJECT’ containing the prole of its populace and the Barangay, which became a model for others. Hence last March 2023 Hon. Agda, the City Mayor of Borongan Eastern Samar endorsed by their City DILG Ocer and in line with their Benchmarking Acvity requested Hon. Balagapo to accommodate the visit of 48 Barangay Secretaries accompanied by Maam Visitacion Giva of the City DILG to observe and learn. This happened last March 31, 2023. The visitors were greatly impressed with the project that by May, 2023 City Mayor Agda requests another visit this me by Barangay Chairmen of Borongan City. With dedicated leadership and teamwork, many worthy yet unexpensive acvies were accomplished. Through the unring leadership of Hon. Raymund Balagapo, he and his council organized sports and physical tness acvies for the youths and the senior cizens.The barangay gymnasium is also ulized for sports acvies of athletes from other schools in Tacloban City who are sent to represent the City or Region for compeon such as the EVRAA. Within the grounds of the gym is found the funconal, well-organized, and furnished Senior Cizens’ building, where their meengs and funcons are held. Regular scheduled community assemblies and meengs were conducted at the barangay grounds to present the Barangay Council accomplishments on programs and projects targeted for the specic period. The constuents are likewise encouraged to get involved and cooperate in these endeavors. With the assistance of barangay tanods, Barangay Chairman Balagapo personally dedicated me and energy to painstakingly enforce the laws and ordinances. A good number of CCTVs are installed in strategic places to monitor the safety, peace, and order of the place. Disputes among the residents are seled by the Barangay Tagapayapa. Health services for the residents are also readily aended to by Health workers assigned at the Barangay Health Center. There is a ‘Rescue vehicle’ available for those who are to be transported to nearby hospitals. Situated within the Barangay is an Elementary School, some of whose acvies are in close coordinaon with the Council. One of such acvies was the beaucaon project where Ocials assisted in collecng recycled plasc boles used to decorate the school grounds. This endeavor won for the school an award from the City Schools Division. Another was the concreng and beaucaon of the schools’ sidewalk facing the main road of the Barangay. In return the school allowed the Barangay to put up the Tanod Outpost, ulizing a poron of the school campus.Awarded Honorary Barangay Captain of the Year215

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AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS RECEIVED BY BARANGAY 109I. Top Performing Barangay for CY 2021II. Showcase Barangay during the 1st Semester 2019 ‘BARANGAY ASSEMBLY DAY’III. PARTICIPANT Barangay - SEARCH FOR ASTRAY AND RABIES FREE BARANGAY 2019.1. Department of Educaon - BRIGADA ESCUELA - 20222. Philippine Red Cross - Leyte Chapter - 20223. Department of Educaon – BRIGADA – 20214. Relief, Rehabilitaon & Rebuilding Mission in theAermath of Typhoon Urduja - 20185. Our Lady of Lourdes Parish - speaker of DisasterPreparedness Program - 20186. Diploma of Merit from Philippine Red Cross May 20187. Dx5ran District & Radio Amateur Network – 20168. Philippine Red Cross Volunteer for Relief, Rehabilitaon Mission in the Aermath of Super Typhoon Yolanda – 20149. For having donated a minimum of One Gallon blood to the Red Cross Blood Services - 201910. Philippine Amateur Radio Associaon Extending Humanitarian Services to the Communies aected by Typhoon Odee - Dec. 2021 onwards11. Barangay Councilors League of the Philippines – work as leader who strengthen families, workplace, and communies – 201912. Barangay Councilor League of the Philippines – 202213. Signicantly contributed to the success of the 40th DOJ - Parole and Probaon Celebraon - Tacloban City - 2022 14. Basic Internal Security Operaons Course (BISOC) - 201815. PHILIPPINE RED CROSS, LEYTE - 201916. MEMBER OF THE PARISH FINANCE COUNCIL - 2015.17. Basic Auxiliary Training (BCAT) - 2022.18. Basic Auxiliary Training (BCMT) CLASS - 2021.Awarded Honorary Barangay Captain of the Year216

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NATION BUILDERSDedicated, hardworking and a woman of essence, Punong Barangay Eva Marie Rio Fianza of Barangay Happy Homes, Old Lucban Baguio City started her public service in 1996 as an appointed Barangay Kagawad then became the number 1 Barangay Kagawad in her rst aempt to run in the barangay elecons in 1997. Since then, she served as 3 term Barangay Captain and one term Kagawad and is currently the Punong Barangay at the moment, since 2018. She is one of the longest serving barangay ocials in the city spanning almost three decades of public service. Chairman Fianza is the 3rd of 5 siblings, born to Romulo Rio Sr. And Cecilia L. Rio. She was born on March 20, 1961, in Baguio City to parents hailing from Ilocos Norte and Benguet. She is married to Peter Carino Fianza, a lawyer and currently a City Councilor of the City. She is a mother to one girl and four boys, and a dong grandmother to one boy and one girl. She worked as a Clinical Instructor and Nurse Reviewer for 10 years. During these years while she was working, she underwent connuing educaon that earned her a Masteral and Doctorate degree. She also volunteered as anchor for the Barangay Nan, a local tv program for 5 years. During the tv show, the barangay ocials and the people of Baguio were heard. As a Barangay Captain for almost 28 years, she has made contribuons to the welfare of the community, being a mother to her constuents and a pillar to her comrades in public service. In the eld of health, her barangay is the rst to establish breast-feeding corners in the city of baguio in selected establishments in the community. She encouraged all women to parcipate in the importance of breaseeding and good nutrion during the 1000 years of life of a child. AWARDED HONORARYBARANGAY CAPTAINOF THE YEARHON. EVA MARIE RIO-FIANZABARANGAY CAPTAIN, BARANGAY HAPPY HOMESOLD LUCBAN, BAGUIO CITY217

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The barangay thus, established the breaseeding women and breaseeding support group in the community. The well baby contest which is being done every year is also one way of promong and informing mothers of the nutrional needs of the children. To date it has helped the barangay in aaining a “ No Stunng Status” for almost een years to add to this. There are no malnourished children in the barangay with ages 0 to 59 months. In terms of food sources, the barangay has encouraged pot and backyard gardening through yearly gardening contest. This acvity being done regularly has made the community aware that food can be found in pots n backyard gardening. In terms of peace and order, Happy Homes is one of the barangays in the city that has very low crime rate, it aained a “Drug-free Barangay” status in 2021 where the barangay was given cercate from PDEA. To date there are no records of drug cases in the barangay. Furthermore, there is no record of cases on Violence against Women and Children in 2022 and again given cercates of appreciaon for “Zero Crime Rate” since 2019. The Women’s Brigade” was established in 2010 composed of women volunteers’ foot patrolling at night to help in the peace and order state of the barangay. This program tremendously made the barangay a very peaceful community to live in.Baguio CityAwarded Honorary Barangay Captain of the Year218

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During her term as the vice president of the Liga ng Mga Barangay in 2018, she together with eight board members ditched the bingo sa barangay, a game of chance that l she believes corrupts the lives of the people. Her barangay is one of the few barangays that never parcipated in the illegal game of chance. She is also the current Press Informaon Ocer of the Barangay Peace and Order Commiee of their district. It was also in her term as president of the Associaon of Barangay Kagawads (ABK) that she organized the Boses ng Baguio in 2014, the biggest singing contest in the city, parcipated by 128 barangays. In this endeavor, hundreds of talents baled their way to the singing eliminaons and championship. Indeed, the Boses ng Baguio project srred the local talents of the city and became a major entertainment in the 20 districts of the barangays. Due to the success of the rst season, a second season followed. The biggest challenge to hurdle was the mental health of the people especially the children that were cooped up in the homes. Chairman Fianza thus decided to have movie nights for the youth to entertain them with only 15 young people every movie show that run every saturday evening. Thirty minutes before the show, prayer meengs and mental health orientaons were done to educate and inform the youth. The younger children were given art and coloring materials to keep them busy in their homes. The organizaon of the Women’s Livelihood Group paved the way to upli the nancial burdens of mothers in the barangay. The barangay introduced cheap but nutrious food choices for the family and the community, not to menon the nancial gain that goes with it. Other forms of livelihood was introduced such as masks and pouch bags made from beads, doormat and potholder making from rags which helped upli the nancial status of mothers who are not employed. In its goal to minimize the carbon footprint of the barangay, chairman Fianza through a resoluon to the city council requested that Happy Homes Road be made as a one-way road to minimize trac and emission of carbon dioxide. A barangay ordinance on “No Smoking” is very strictly implemented, and to add to this, the prohibion of selling f cigarees in all stores. Tree planng is not feasible in barangay but greening ang beaucaon of homes and establishments has been encouraged and being pracced. 2021 and 2022 were hard mes because of the pandemic, Chairman Fianza made sure that not only residents of the barangay will receive food packs, but included all stranded persons in the barangay. She personally was hands on in giving “ayuda”, monitoring and assessing residents with symptoms of COVID-19 as she is also a Registered Nurse. Her barangay was the rst to put up a sanitaon checkpoint for residents and vehicles entering the barangay. The pandemic took a toll on the Brgy. Ocials, but she remained steadfast in her quest to make lives of her constuents easier by providing 24/7 service. The barangay community kitchen that lasted for six months in the community has fed a lot of residents and somehow helped in simple way the lives of people in the barangay.Awarded Honorary Barangay Captain of the Year219

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As a member of Soropmist Internaonal, Ci Buddies Inc and Kindasan Lions Club, chairman has acvely parcipated in community service especially in mes of great need. The Ci Buddies became a partner of several schools parcipang in Brigada Eskwela, it has also adopted Lucban Elementary School, one of the biggest elementary schools in the city. The organizaon made it their pledge to share a joy through gi giving and feeding every year since 2011 every Christmas season. As founder of the organizaon, she never sat as president, she paved way to create and encourage others to become leaders. To date, the organizaon grew in number with overseas members acvely supporng it. She is also a cered reghter and rst aider. She has also undergone trainings on disaster management; thus, she is constantly being asked to lecture on CPR, rst and other related topics. She also served as President of Baguio and President of the Federaon of Baguio and Benguet in the Mul Sectoral Advisory Council of Benguet Electric Cooperave from 2008 to 2018. As president, she aended various benchmarking acvies in other electric companies to emulate or duplicate good pracces of other electric cooperaves. She supports renewable energy and together with others promoted ways and soluons to decrease energy consumpon in homes. In her barangay, she requested the Sanggunian to allot a generous amount for the purchase of solar street lights instead of metered lights. Being a senior cizen herself, she is mindful of the needs of other senior cizens in her barangay, she regularly promotes physical and mental health for her comrades through implementaon of health programs for the seniors. She encourages able senior cizens to go on educaonal tours and travels charged to the barangay funds. In her snt as a barangay captain, she has shown resiliency, hard work, love for her people and fear of God. She believes that public oce is a public trust, that being a public servant is a vocaon not an occupaon. She has always said, it is not what you aain in life that is important, but how you got there is what maers.EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT1. DOCTOR OF PILOSOPHY (2013)Baguio Central University, Baguio City2. MASTER OF ARTS IN NURSING (2007)Dr. Lanng College, Quezon City3. BACHELOR OF ARTS IN NURSING (2003)Pines City Colleges, Baguio City4. DENTAL OFFICE AND CHAIRSIDE ASSISTING (1991)Career Canada College, Toronto-Ontario, Canada5. BACHELOR OF ARTS IN MASS COMMUNICATIONS (1983)Baguio Colleges Foundaon, Baguio CityORGANIZATIONS1. Soropmist Internaonal2. Lions Club3. Ci Buddies4. Philippine Nurses Associaon“A true leader has the confidence to stand alone, the courage to make tough decisions and the compassion to listen to the needs of others, he does not set out to be a leader but becomes one by the equality of his actions and the integrity of his intent”.To sum up, she is best described with the quote:Awarded Honorary Barangay Captain of the Year220

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NATION BUILDERSAt her home deep in rural Quezon province, Krisnah Marie Alayan looks back at how her life story was typically plucked out of a movie script. “Okay, let’s do it.” A testament to her commitment in serving her community, the interview had to be moved a couple of mes because of her busy schedule. Even during a late Friday aernoon, geng her me seemed a long shot. Sll hung and pung from her aernoon commute, the 35-year-old public servant had to brave a January torrenal rain to be able to accommodate us for an interview. But once she got going, the two-and-a-half hour conversaon felt like a quick chat. A proud product of the public school system, Ms. Alayan’s story is not that dierent from most of us. Despite being goal-oriented at a young age, poverty limited her opons early on which led her to taking up Agribusiness Management at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines – not really her top choice growing up. Even then, just graduang from the state university was a pipe dream for her. Given the choice, Ms. Alayan would have taken up either law or mass communicaon in college. But as the eldest of eight children, raised by their father who drives a jeep and their mother who peddles inihaw na saba and dried sh, pursuing her dreams was not that simple.AWARDED HONORARYPUBLIC SERVANTOF THE YEAREXCELLENCE IN GOVERNMENT SERVICEEnP. KRISNAH MARIE H. ALAYANENVIRONMENTAL PLANNERMUNICIPAL PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT COORDINATORMUNICIPALITY OF AGDANGAN, QUEZON221

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“They are not perfect but for the sake of their children, they see to it that they always understand each other, and respect is given at all mes. That’s what I really admired in them,” Ms. Alayan says, describing her parents and the home she was raised in. An orator in school, it is no wonder pursuing mass communicaon in college was one of her aspiraons. But for her, joining oratory contests wasn’t just about her passion, it was also for survival. “I was an orator in school but I don’t join compeons just to win, I compete because I needed the P1,000.00 prize money that I can give to my parents to help in our daily expenses,” Ms. Alayan recalls the days where she would be given P1,000.00 for winning contests. On college days, the so-spoken but level-headed Ms. Alayan really struggled. She remembers walking long distances just to go to school, powered only by lugaw or rice porridge. Whether her next meal will be the same, or if there will be anything at all, was sll a queson. “We got bullied because of being poor. With my sister, we wear each other’s nice clothes to save on not buying a new one. In mes that we really needed a new set of clothing such as during our school aairs, my father would sell stu in the house just to buy us a pair of pants. There was even a me that he would pawn his ring to be able to pay our school fees.”But despite all that, she did not let adversies dictate her fate. “I never felt envy towards people who have what I don’t. I always count my blessings and give praises and gratude to God. I connued striving in my studies because my parents always emphasized the importance of educaon and how it is key for us to get out of poverty.” Aer elementary, Ms. Alayan’s dedicaon in her studies paid o. She took up a subsidy exam, nished on top of her batch, and earned herself an Scholarship in Enverga University. Clearly a bright student in spite of challenges, she was also granted a spend from the Commission of Higher Educaon.GIVING BACK Aer earning her degree, Ms. Alayan made sure to give back to her roots. She joined the Department of Social Welfare and Development as a community facilitator and organizer in 2010, serving crical barangays in the town of Catanauan, Quezon. Herself familiar with the face of deeply-rooted poverty, her job as part of the Kalahi-CIDDS (or the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services) program led her to some of the most rural and poorest communies in the area. In circumstances where they would be crossing paths with armed rebels, they oered empowerment – not bullets – as a way of winning their hearts back. In 2012, she went on to fulll several roles under the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’s Forest Management Sector as a contractual employee. She was hired as Extension Ocer and subsequently designated as FMS Planning Ocer, Assistant Informaon Ocer, Technical Writer, GIS Operator and Field Worker all rolled up into one. Her thirst for public service may know no limits, but the demands of her mulple roles ulmately took a toll on her body.RESIGN OR DIE With her career starng to soar in the government sector, Ms. Alayan suddenly had to step on the brakes as her health started to deteriorate because of her work. At rst, she did not think of it too much, dismissing it as just normal redness and exhauson from her typical roune. But as days passed, the symptoms got worse, urging her to see a doctor. As it turns out, she has chronic fague syndrome, a serious and long-term illness that may conne the paent to bed for a long me. “I was always red. I was almost bed-ridden. Even turning the door knob was dicult for me.” The situaon got so dire that the doctor gave her only two choices: to resign from her job or to die. For a couple of years, Ms. Alayan had to step away from her responsibilies. She started living healthy, relying on natural treatments such as daily dose of malunggay to get beer. Fortunately, it did not take long for her to recover and in 2014, she was tapped by Catanauan town mayor Ay. Ramon A. Orfanel to take over dierent DSWD sub-projects under his LGU.Awarded Honorary Public Servant of the Year222

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It is no secret that Quezon province has long been facing problems with environment protecon. For many years in the past, the area has been notorious for waste disposal and illegal logging, which ulmately resulted in uncontrollable polluons, even death and destrucon during the typhoon seasons. “Garbage disposal is our main problem in Quezon, followed by illegal logging. I’ve been known in Catanauan as strict in proper waste disposal, cleanliness, and recycling.” It was here that she became an advocate for environmental protecon as she served as the town’s Designated Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Ocer for ve years. Over that period, she resolved a long-standing issue with Catanauan’s Solid Waste Management as well as the implementaon of various Environmental Laws and even copped awards three years in a row for eciently leading the oce through the immeasurable support of former Mayor Ay. Almira A. Orfanel, DENR CENRO Personnel, LGU Ocials and Employees as well as the Barangay Ocials, Cizens and organizaons in the 46 barangays of Catanauan. As a key ocial tasked to make sure that everybody complies to environmental laws, Ms. Alayan did not deny that there were mes her resolve – and her principles – were challenged. She made it a point, though, that serving the Filipino people comes rst and she will not be swayed to look the other way in favor of the privileged few. “I am really strict and I developed that kind of reputaon. Business owners and enes who are aected by government policies will even come to my oce angrily, but my job rst and foremost is to protect the people and the environment, above anything else” says Ms. Alayan. “I had to be rm in my principles and not be swayed by what they can oer. In the long run, they knew that they can’t buy my principles and they were le with no choice but to follow the law.” Before she le her post in Catanauan’s MENRO in 2021 to transfer to Agdanganan town, she tapped the help of people who worked in the garbage dumps – the basureros. With them, Ms. Alayan literally got her hands dirty, clearing drainage canals herself, dealing with rubbish, and ensuring that the town becomes a model in waste management. “Life in the dumpsite is really, really tough. I know it because I experienced it.” That is one reason why her sta became fond of her. As someone who grew up poor herself, she understood the circumstances of the basureros, and made it a point to provide them with opportunies for more earnings, more learnings, and a way out of poverty. “I believe that when we have less polluon, we will have more produce, more earnings, and a bigger chance to end poverty. It starts with the simple things, and I believe that through these simple things, maiaangat nan ang mga nasa laylayan (we can upli those who are in the boom),” shares Ms. Alayan.DEVELOPMENT ADVOCATE At her young age, she has been tasked with massive responsibilies as someone with one of the most important posions in Agdangan’s local government unit – the development planning for their town. Her vision is to improve Agdangan from being the only 5th class municipality in Quezon’s third district, into a progressive town through meaningful programs, projects, and acvies aimed to upli all sectors of the society, most especially the poorest ones. “My job here is a very tough challenge. I don’t know them and they don’t know me yet but my focus is to full my duty as a Public Servant. Even if I’m not from here, I am ready and willing to serve them to the fullest of my abilies.”ENVIRONMENTAL WARRIORAwarded Honorary Public Servant of the Year223

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ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITYLOOKING BACK Her vast experience and proven track record in environmental protecon also became the gateway for Ms. Alayan and her family out of poverty. Together with her family, they established a small feeds business and turned a long-running joke of pung up a quail business into reality during the pandemic. Through perseverance and with the help of their family and trusted friends, they were also able to establish their own agricultural supply business, the Mari Poultry and Agriculture Supply and KrisMari Agricultural Supply. Aside from entering the agribusiness sector, she also became a health advocate with her business of distribung health and beauty products through USANA and Purer. It was so successful that she was also hired as an Environmental Consultant of a mulnaonal holding company dedicated to the premiumizaon of coconut products, natural and organic fruit beverages, dairy and snack items in order to provide higher and more sustainable raw material prices for the farmer community. On the advocacy side, she serves as the focal person of the Food Share Program of the Kabisig ng Kalahi, Inc., a civic group funded by a prominent internaonal company that aims to alleviate hunger and poverty in rural communies. “We are able to provide 60 families with 20 kilograms of rice every two months for half a year through Kabisig ng Kalahi. Aside from that, we also provide nutrion awareness, livelihood assistance and workshops.” Ms. Alayan made it a point that through her businesses, she can upli the people who worked with her in the dumpsites. She now gives them proper livelihood and are now treated not just as workers but as family. “It doesn’t end in giving. You have to empower them.” Out of her passion of protecng the environment, she also established the KrisMari Environmental Consultancy Services where she was tapped by resorts, gasoline staons, farms, fuel resources, and other establishments to help them minimize their impact on the ecosystem. Through hard work and perseverance, the Alayan’s were the perfect example of a family that literally went from rags to riches. With the guidance of their parents – their father, a former jeepney driver and now a barangay kagawad (councilor) and a livestock farmer, and their mother who is starng to become a edgling entrepreneur herself – Ms. Alayan’s siblings were able to turn things around for themselves. “I have a sibling who is now a Cered Public Accountant, nished cum laude in college and now an American cizen. I also have this other sibling who is now a successful businessman, another who is now a professional teacher who put up a tutorial center in a nearby town, another who is also an employee in Batangas. We also have an Industrial Engineer, and students taking up BS Architecture and Physical Therapy.” “What was once a thrilling trip to the palengke (public market) is now SM with the whole family. Those mes that we can only dream about eang cake, now, we can have it whenever we want. Back then, I only hitch ride with others, now I have my own vehicle.” Ms. Alayan recalled that during her teenage years, they had to help their mother in crushing cassava while they are reviewing their lessons. Despite the hardships, they did not lose hope and understood that educaon was their key out of poverty. “I remember during my rst job interview, I borrowed a blouse and a pair of shoes and walked all the way to the municipal hall for the applicaon. As I was leaving, my father saw me and told me how beauful I am. He wished me good luck and le me with the following words that I sll bring with me up to this day: ‘wag na ‘wag kang magnanasa sa kahit na piso at maglingkod sa bayan ng may katapatan at malasakit. (Don’t ever aspire to run o with even a peso; always look to serve the country with honesty and compassion.)”. And through those few words, the principles of Ms. Alayan – a public servant, an entrepreneur, and an advocate – were molded.Awarded Honorary Public Servant of the Year224

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NATION BUILDERSKnown for his big heart that beats to serve the people of Barangay VF Guslo and his beloved city, Chairman Jezryl is a keen LEO wrapped in a Chameleon skin. His skills and experse in many elds, his fair charm in dealing with people in all angles of the spectrum, and his warm hands that reaches and comforts those who needs it made him an inspiraon to many. He redened labels by not being ashamed of his roots from a far-ung rural community (Taga-Bukid), advocang for Gender Equality and equal opportunies for Persons With Disabilies or as to his preference, Persons With Opportunies. His life is a tesmony for us, rural youth leaders that it is not too soon for someone young to make great impacts. We see in him the roars of a lile David who trembles the giant; one of the popular biblical stories and one of his moral compasses. Born with a wooden spoon, poverty forced his eyes to see how cruel and tough the world can be. At a young age, he succumbed to work as a sh vendor aer class and a farmer to wide-size sugarcane elds during summer; a roune he had to endure just to buy himself school supplies and a pair of school uniform. Despite having been raised from poverty, Chairman Jezryl or “Bibi” as he is humbly coined, strived hard to get himself his dream degree as a teacher. He nished both his Elementary and Secondary educaon at Seran V. Aguilar Integrated School from which his torch to serve others was rst lit. He became driven to serve his fellow students and was elected as the Supreme Student Government President way back 2010.AWARDED HONORARYPUBLIC SERVANTOF THE YEARHON. JEZRYL D. RECLASK CHAIRMAN, BARANGAY VF GUSTILOSK FEDERATION, VICE PRESIDENTCADIZ CITY225

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With his enthusiasm to serve and the guidance and support from his beloved teachers (special menon to his favorite teachers; Ma’am Rhodora Amuan and Sir Reneboy Lagoyo), he evolved rapidly as a student leader and managed to perform his dues; receiving the Leadership Award and at the same me the class Valedictorian. His amazing journey as the SK Chairperson of Barangay VF Guslo started when he was sll threading lesson plans and reporng at CHMSU (formerly CHMSC). He was so fortunate that Carlos Hilado Memorial State College accepted his applicaon under the BSED MAPEH Program. He was shaped under the watch of his Program Adviser, Miss Ger An Lopez, who, beyond being a mentor is a mother and a friend to him. It was really a challenge for him, yet he decided to run as SK Chairperson sll. Despite having no nancial support, he took the risk. Together with his dream team, he won! The youth community won! Chairman Jezryl is proud to highlight their accomplishments from day one and the upcoming projects in the line. His governance mainly focuses on Youth’s social inclusion and acve parcipaon through the programs anchored from the following SDG’s: Zero Hunger – SDG2, Good Health and Well-Being – SDG3 Quality Educaon – SDG4, Gender Equality – SDG5, Sustainable Communies – SDG11, Climate Acon – SDG13 and Partnerships for the Goals – SDG 17. Youth’s Social Inclusion and Acve Parcipaon is the main key to the programs and acvies that was anchored from the sustainable development goals of the Sangguniang Kabataan of Barangay VF Guslo. They saw it as a mechanism to acvate local (Purok, Hacienda) youth ocers that connuously serves as their volunteers for the programs and acvies. Awarded Honorary Public Servant of the Year226

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Hakup is a local term that means “a handful” and in reinvented the term to make it more relevant to our project which is a feeding program in a cup. Basically, we allow our local youth ocers/volunteers to be resourceful and innovave in seeking ingredients for the feeding program. The overt manifestaon of the Bayanihan Spirit lingered in everyone’s heart as our volunteers received unsolicited sponsorships for feeding programs coming from households within their community. The project connues as it is sll being executed by the local volunteers and oen being associated with other programs that the Sangguniang Kabataan also ag shipped. Fresh Milk distribuon is one of the most recent programs that the Sangguniang Kabataan of Barangay VF Guslo adopted. Happening once or twice a month, the Sangguniang Kabataan is very fortunate to channel certain opportunies to our far-ung communies. Started just last year, the Oce of our supporve and loving Congressman, Hon Alfredo “Thirdy” Marañon III, supplies us with Fresh Milk to add nourishment to children in our rural communies. The partnership was made possible through the eorts of SK Chairman Jezryl and Sir Bryan Orosio under the oce of 2nd Disctrict of Negros Occidental. The presence of Freshmilk Distribuon takes place during other acvies and/or programs of the Sangguniang Kabataan. Project HaCUP!FRESHMILK DISTRIBUTION Launched during the hype of the Pandemic, Project SK Cares Deeper developed 2 main acvies. One is the distribuon of Hygiene kits (facemasks, Toothbrushes, BoadySoap, alcohol, etc.) to 500 individuals. This also includes basic handwashing tutorials to parents and children as the SK Council did a distance mentoring to parents and children on how to properly execute basic hand washing. Two, because of the threat of having face-to-face interacon, children were mandated to stay at home. In response to making them feel busy and occupied, we did a coloring contest with prizes for the winners. The result was amazing and we never thought of having many visual arsts in our community unl this acvity happened. PROJECT SK CARES DEEPERAwarded Honorary Public Servant of the Year227

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MISSION AGUBAYPROJECT ULIKIDDISTRIBUTION OF STUDY TABLE, FLASH DRIVES AND POWER BANKSFREE MODULE PRINTINGSIKAD MO PANGARAP KOPROJECT DAGYAO Mission AGUBAY (Addressing Gaps Unifying Bridges and Amplifying Youth) is the agship program of the SK VF Guslo with Three main projects. 1. Project LaKwAtSa (Lakbay Kwento At pagbaSa) – is an iniave formulated to address reading literacy amongst pupils and students. Along with our volunteers we visit, communies to conduct reading exercises and feeding program for the children. 2. Project Balsa (Brigding ALS Aspiraon) – support and promotes ALS to OSY through remedial classes and giving them study table and power banks.3. Project AYOS (Adopt Your School) Garden – allows partnership between the Sangguniang kabataan and the schools to work on their school garden together to grow vegetables and use its crops for feeding iniaves. Is an annual acvity and smart move of the SK Federaon of Cadiz City to further extend help to the local barangay through goods distribuon. This also opens an opportunity for SK VF Guslo to conduct TREE GROWING Acvity, feeding program recreaonal games for children and etc. This also makes way for SK VF Guslo to turn over First Aid Kits and Automated Blood Pressure apparatus for our hard-working BHWS. Is the Bayanihan Spirit Movement of the Sangguniang kabataan of Barangay VF Guslo. Reaching out to our Peacekeepers, Tanods, BHWS, Youth Volunteers, Teachers, and Government and Non-government sponsors, this Bayanihan iniave was able to build 2 chapels for the community to exercise their right to religion and for children and volunteers to shelter them with our lakwatsa program. The distribuon of study tables, ash drives, and power banks was realized aer a series of consultaons with our volunteers. When the pandemic happened, virtual classes were installed and we take acon in helping by means of providing this relevant equipment for our student’s learning. Is a partnership built between the Sangguniang Kabataan of Barangay VF Guslo, Villacin Naonal High School-Sewahon Extension, and Sewahon Elementary School. Considering the distance our students and pupils have to walk every day, we came up with this humble project. This aims to select dedicated learners and grant them bicycles that will serve as their transportaon going to school and vice versa. Apart from the aforemenoned accomplishments are the houses they help built for the less fortunate, the medical assistance they extended from their loving and supporve partners, the joy that glows from the children’s eyes aer receiving their Christmas toys, the BHW’s ocial uniform, and many more. This is because of their supporve and loving partners. May it be from our local government or from the private sector, most especially the support that they are geng from our City Mayor, Salvador Bading Escalante and the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Cadiz City. To his Idol, P3PWD Representave, Cong. Rowena Guanzon for the inspiraon. Chairman Jezryl and the Sangguniang Kabataan Owe you a lot. MODULE PRINTING iniave is supposed to cater High school and college students only. However, when we saw that our Children Development Center was struggling, we took the chance to rescue them and we reproduced their modules weekly, producing over 30 reams of bond paper. The Sangguniang Kabataan, despite the workload in prinng and stapling the modules, wore amazing smiles as they were happy to see children learning and being at their best.Awarded Honorary Public Servant of the Year228

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NATION BUILDERSBehind one of the most sought-aer and most trusted manpower agencies in the country, today is a woman, Dr. Jemelene Go-Qui. Originally from the province of Batangas, Dr. Jem is now a bonade resident of Moonwalk, Paranaque where she is well-loved by the community for the outreach programs she has been operang. She comes from a well-known bloodline of successful entrepreneurs in the Southern region where she spent most of her childhood. She recalls having a dream of “standing out” and making it on her own sans the help and support of her auent yet well-grounded family. . This was driven not out of youthful and restless impulse but by a desire to live out a purpose she sll has to determine. With fondness and gratude, she recalls how her determinaon to carve a name in the world started at home, witnessing rst-hand the exemplary work ethic and outpouring generosity of her parents. When most girls her age are sll coming out of their cocoons, so to speak, Jem is already preparing to grow her own wings. To y like a buery in the eld, yes. But unbeknownst to her, she is born to be and does more than that. She is an eagle bidding her me to soar across the sky. And her training to become one started when she is just a young adult. At 19 years old, Dr. Qui is already a people person. Thanks to her exposure to family and community gatherings, social events, and fellowships, she has gained experse and condence in the prinng business, realty and property development, Insurance, banking, supplies and trading, construcon, manufacturing, sales, and retailing, among others. This “hands-on training” period went on unl she reached her posion as one of the most inuenal and best service contracng providers in the eld of maintenance, janitorial, oce support, manufacturing, and food and beverage.AWARDED HONORARYPHILANTHROPISTOF THE YEARDR. JEMELENE GO QUIPRESIDENT & CEOPOLYSTAR GENERAL SERVICES, INC.229

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She served not just for her reputaon but for the people around her. To date, her name stands out as one of the most trusted, earning loyalty and admiraon from A-list and presgious companies in the country including Ayala, Avida, Megaworld, Puregolds, SM, Robinson, JCO, Pizzahut, Tim Howan, Vikings, and many more. She is currently the President and CEO of Polystar General Services and a Director of other 8 companies, 4 are service contracng companies, 1 pest control company, 1 supplies trading, 1 HMO company, and 1 foundaon. For a lady who grea up in a rich clan, who would ever know that her eye and passion to serve her “Kababayans” will lead her to her current eld and status? How she masterfully leads a total of more than 23,000 employees in several oce branches strategically mapped out o-shore islands in the naon is the outcome of her fruiul years as a student of many disciplines. She is a living testament to the o-quoted saying, “so many things to accomplish, so lile” and yet she manages to produce posive and benecial outputs. Dr. Jemelene Go Qui’s educaonal background is really impressive and astonishing. She is a recipient of Honoris Causa aer compleon of her doctorate In Philosophy Major in Management and Markeng from the most renowned and presgious instuon, Brethen Evangelical School of Theology Internaonal in partnership with Cambridge Training Course, Britan London UK. Dr. Qui has completed her terary educaon at the University of Santo Tomas with a degree in Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology, and also completed a Manager’s Course oered by the Instute of Small-Scale Industries of the University of the Philippines. Having an interest In vast areas, the subject is also a Registered Medical Technologist, a Registered Real Estate Broker, and a Registered Life Insurance Underwriter. With all these accomplishments in her educaonal background, Dr. Qui made sure to use her knowledge, skills, and given talents to also educate and inform the people around her. Educang those people to learn more about the business eld, especially those who are not that fortunate to nish and complete a degree. Dr. Qui never looked down on other people but is the one who is liing them up and to higher grounds to also achieve their goals and dreams in their lives.Awarded Honorary Philanthropist of the Year230

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Dr. Jem’s socio-civic involvement is by far, gaining prominence in the community with her membership in the following respected organizaons:Rotary Club of Tondo, Member Lions Club Batangas, Former President Soroptomist Internaonal of Bagong Paranaque, President Elect. All these are on top of her personal associaon and series of social works in partnership with Basilica Church In Batangas City. As a public servant but not into polics, Dr. Qui assures that in her every journey and decision, it is not just her or her loved ones who will benet but the people around her who are in need most of the growth, acceleraon, knowledge, wealth and fulllment in their lives. One of her campaigns whichh she is most beloved and known for is the “Team MalasaQUIt, Serbisyong may Malasakit”. Her compassion for caring is seen best In her socio-civic outreach programs. She wishes all the good things to her colleagues and constuents by always making me for them despite her busy schedule. She values gender quality and also empowers women to be the best they can be. The vision is to be the leader in the industry in terms of manpower services and provider of other related services thru quality service, manpower, and technology. Its strong organizaonal management, experse in the eld, highly ecient as well as procient stas, and methodical approach to customer service are the primary factors that assure our clients of excellent and dedicated service. The company’s commitment is to provide excellent and quality service to individuals and corporaons alike. She says, “We are not content to be just an ecient source of manpower but with a Vision to be your partner in success.” • The company’s Cultures and Core Values are the following which also reect in the words and acons of its President and CEO Dr. Jemelene Qui.• To achieve total quality management in handling project management, markeng of our products, and professional delivery of other services.• To provide honest and quality sales and markeng services to clients.• To provide disciplined and well-trained personnel with high work integrity and eciency that will cater to the needs of the client.• To poster strong, lasng, and mutually benecial partnerships with clients.• To recognize potenal customers and appropriately deliver connuous relaonships especially in the post-sales services.• To acvely support and parcipate in undertakings to reduce integral costs by careful value manpower sourcing and development.• To be always proacve in communicaon i.e. product inquiries.• To provide 101% care and support to our clients. Her company, Polystar General Services Incorporated located in Paranaque and Cubao, Quezon City, is a service-oriented company engaged in janitorial and building maintenance services, domesc manpower supply services, property management, sales and trading of janitorial/pantry supplies, air-con maintenance, and other related services. If one checks out online job sites such as Jobstreet, Indeed, and Linkedin, it is clear that the company maintains factual nice reviews and rangs because of proven good employee welfare and development. The feedback from employees and associates proves that Dr. Qui is doing great in her eld and in providing the best manpower service in the country. She believes that everyone has a God-given talent that must be harnessed and shared with others. She never humiliates a single low-level job but inspires people and movates them to rise up and move forward, this is just a stepping stone to achieving your goals and dreams of being successful. Dr. Qui’s way of paying back to the community is by providing the people the needs of security, tenure, and employment. Her Facebook page is growing bigger and expanding for her Moonwalk family to easily access and reach out to her. The many projects and campaigns she has started are most ancipated in Barangay Moonwalk, Paranaque. She believes in spreading happiness and posive vibes through medical missions and feeding programs. Her trademark “Team MalasaQUIt, Serbisyong May Malasakit” are “Salu-Salo” campaign, “Kabataan” fellowship, “Patubig” sa Paranaque, and her famous “birthday cake” treats for all Moonwalk residents. Awarded Honorary Philanthropist of the Year231

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A PHILANTHROPIST IN HER OWN RIGHT But what movates her to go the extra mile, career and industry-wise? Who inspires her to keep pushing goals for her community service? Her family, her home, her two amazing children who she loves to hang out with whenever she’s at home or abroad. Just because she walks, talks and dresses like a boss don’t mean she has no me for her own style and fashion. Only this February 16, 2023, she strued the runway as LA Style Ambassador of the LA Styling Team. She was chosen as the Finale Model of Style to Watch 2023 Fashion Show. And this award is added to her well-decorated wall of recognion and achievements:July 26, 2022 • Joined the Philippine Heritage Society Ball• One of the models for the Finale Walk of Tito Oscar Peralta’s creaonsJuly 31, 2022• Pamana Awards USA 2022• Outstanding Woman of Style and Elegance (Businesswoman / Philanthropist)October 7, 2022• Pamana Awards USA 2022-2023• Outstanding Woman of Style and Elegance (Businesswoman / Philanthropist) October 16, 2022• One of 2022 Manila’s Best Dressed (Centennial Hall, Manila Hotel)October 22, 2022• Plaque of Appreciaon from Manila Kawit Blue Eagles ClubNovember 19, 2022• Gawad America Award’s Most Empowered and Inuenal Woman for 2022• Star of the Night (Celebrity Center, Franklin Avenue, Hollywood California USA)November 25, 2022• Naon Builders Awards SSI and Mosliv Awards 2022• Honorary Modern Filipina Heroism of the Year 2022January 22, 2023 • Asia Tigers Excellence Award • Philippines Most Outstanding CEO President and Business Leader of the YearFebruary 16, 2023 • LA Style Ambassador of LA Styling Team• Finale Model of Style to Watch 2023February 19, 2023• 3rd Southeast Asian Achievement Awards• Successful Businesswoman-Philanthropist, Empowered Woman, and President-Elect Soropmist Internaonal of Bagong Parañaque An ideal woman who empowers other women, a daughter, wife, mother, leader, game-changer, and visionary who puts others before her own interests, dedicated to connuing her services even if it’s not her reign to provide sustainability to the people who trusted and believed in her. By providing educaon, training, awareness raising, building self-condence, expansion of choices, increased access to and control over resources, and acons to transform the structures and instuons that reinforce and perpetuate gender discriminaon and inequality, Dr. Jem movates, inspires, assists, leads, cares for and supports people from all walks of life. She is a woman with a sense of self-worth, sharing among her peers the tools of empowerment. Furthermore, she has compassion for the elders and persons with disabilies by providing them with their needs and employment, health care access, and security. They say a great leader is known for being a good follower and listener rst. This holds true for Dr. Jem as she accepts viewpoints and comments to provide a beer way of management and develop more sustainable and assisve programs for people, in and out of her scope of management and control. Living within our current environmental limits is making it dicult for sustainable development. But her main focus of ensuring a strong, healthy, and just society is making a dierence on so levels. Ergo, she creates ways and means to meet the diverse needs of all people in exisng and future communies, promong personal well-being, social cohesion, and inclusion, and creang equal opportunity. All her programs, whether in the workplace or in her community, manifest these life-sustaining goals. Over the years, she has relessly looked for beer ways of doing things, both for the future and the present. Indeed, the global pandemic may have changed the way we work and live, but that doesn’t mean our quality of life should be reduced. Following her lead, one can maximize whatever resources we have in our community and society to make every space and me sustainable for the next generaons. Finally, she is not only a game-changer but a frontliner who is not seeking headlines or credits. In this me of pre, actual, and post-pandemic in our country. With her acts of kindness, it was never felt that the city of Moonwalk Paranaque is in crisis and in doubt in the current Covid-19 situaon the whole country is now adjusted to. Truly, she is one rare JEM that takes charge with a heart. Dr. Jemelene’ is guided by the belief that “something has to end for a beer beginning”. And without a doubt, this personal quote of her, has manifested and is sll manifesng in her well-balanced career in the diverse industries she has delved into, in her community-focused visions, and in her low-key yet successful personal life. For being seless and priorizing the people, Dr. Qui is really a good public servant, without really trying. Awarded Honorary Philanthropist of the Year232

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NATION BUILDERSPastor Apollo C. Quiboloy’s success story and advocacies encompass a range of crucial causes, including spiritual salvaon through the Kingdom of Jesus Christ, caring for children in need, guiding the youth through the KeepersClub Internaonal, environmental preservaon, naon-building through SMNI News Channel, assistance for those devastated by typhoons through SMNI Foundaon Inc., and championing the rights and cultural preservaon of the Indigenous Peoples through the IPIYAL Foundaon Incorporated. Through his unwavering dedicaon and impacul iniaves, Pastor Quiboloy has made a signicant dierence in the lives of individuals, communies, the naon, and the enre world. Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy’s journey began with his spiritual awakening and calling to establish the Kingdom of Jesus Christ, The Name Above Every Name. From its humble beginnings in the slums of Villamor, in Agdao, Davao City, Philippines with 15 members to the worldwide mission and its millions of followers today, the Kingdom of Jesus Christ could not be possibly labeled a man-made achievement, but an ordained calling – one chosen for a special purpose, and a man singled out to be the bearer of that purpose is Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy. With a profound belief in the power of faith and a personal relaonship with God, he has played a pivotal role in guiding countless individuals toward spiritual salvaon. AWARDEDSPIRITUAL LEADER WITH STRONG ADVOCACY FOR PEACE AND NATION BUILDINGPASTOR APOLLO C. QUIBOLOYTHE KINGDOM OF JESUS CHRIST233

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Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy’s journey began with his spiritual awakening and calling to establish the Kingdom of Jesus Christ, The Name Above Every Name. From its humble beginnings in the slums of Villamor, in Agdao, Davao City, Philippines with 15 members to the worldwide mission and its millions of followers today, the Kingdom of Jesus Christ could not be possibly labeled a man-made achievement, but an ordained calling – one chosen for a special purpose, and a man singled out to be the bearer of that purpose is Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy. With a profound belief in the power of faith and a personal relaonship with God, he has played a pivotal role in guiding countless individuals toward spiritual salvaon. Through his teachings and charismac leadership, Pastor Quiboloy has inspired people to embrace their faith, nd solace in their relaonship with God, and lead righteous lives. The Kingdom of Jesus Christ has grown into a global community, empowering believers to nd purpose and meaning in their spiritual journey. Central to Pastor Quiboloy’s advocacies is his unwavering commitment to the welfare of children throughout the world. Pastor Apollo focuses on providing care, educaon, and support to underprivileged children. Through various iniaves, such as feeding programs, educaonal scholarships, and community projects, Pastor Apollo has signicantly impacted countless children’s lives. By nurturing their physical, emoonal, and educaonal well-being, Pastor Quiboloy’s advocacy ensures that children have access to opportunies for growth and development, breaking the cycle of poverty and providing them with a brighter future.Awarded Honorary Spiritual Leader with Strong Advocacy for Peace and Nation Building of the Year235

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A strong proponent of children’s rights, welfare, and protecon, Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, the founder of the Children’s Joy Foundaon, Inc. (CJFI) longed to see a world where children are cared for, protected, and loved. He sees himself in the plight of every poor, suering child that he once was. Born in a destute family and the youngest of nine siblings, Pastor Apollo Quiboloy knew how it feels like to sleep hungry, to face each new day with uncertainty, to bear the suering and pain of poverty as a child. As a young evangelist, Pastor Apollo Quiboloy traveled around the Philippines and everywhere he looked, he saw children – neglected, abandoned, abused, deprived – vicms of a life they were born into and helpless to save themselves from the same bleak fate. He promised the Almighty God that if He will bless him, he will make a dierence in every child’s life. And this is how the Children’s Joy Foundaon, Inc. (CJFI) began in 1998. Twenty (20) years later, CJFI has become one of the most reputable and highly regarded Social Welfare and Development Agencies (SWDAs) in the Philippines advocang for children’s rights, welfare, and protecon, and establishing strong linkages with the public and private sectors from within and outside the country, as it pursues its goal to expand and strengthen its global operaons. Having recognized the shortcomings of the Philippines’ educaonal system along with CJFI’s growing number of children beneciaries, Pastor Apollo Quiboloy saw the need to establish his own school to beer cater to the children’s educaonal needs. Two years aer CJFI was founded, he established the Jose Maria Academy inially oering preschool to second-grade educaon in the primary level. In 2003, Jose Maria Academy became the now known as Jose Maria College (JMC) – one of the most presgious schools in the Philippines. Driven by the vision of its founder, JMC has become a dynamic instuon that is commied to excellence in every aspect of its operaons, providing the best educaonal services that each of its students deserves – most especially to underprivileged children whose families do not have the means to send them to a good school. At present, more than 70% of JMC’s students are composed of scholars, and children beneciaries of the Children’s Joy Foundaon, Inc. Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy also founded the Keepers Club Internaonal. An organizaon for young people wherein they are able to parcipate in various environmental acvies, community service, and other youth-oriented acvies which will enhance their talents in music and other elds in the arts. The Keepers Club has dierent chapters in the Philippines and around the world such as the United States Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Hawaii, Virginia, and Canada, parcularly in Vancouver and Toronto, it also has reached Ukraine, Dubai, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore. The organizaon is also established in dierent high schools and universies. They also include out-of-school youth members as well. Environmental preservaon is another signicant aspect of Pastor Quiboloy’s advocacies. Through the Sonshine Philippines Movement Inc., he promotes sustainable pracces and raises awareness about the importance of protecng the environment. The movement spearheads tree-planng campaigns, reforestaons, clean-up drives, and environmental educaon programs to insll a sense of responsibility and ecological consciousness among individuals and communies. By acvely engaging with environmental issues, Pastor Quiboloy inspires others to become stewards of the Earth, fostering a culture of environmental sustainability and ensuring a greener and healthier planet for future generaons. In his commitment to naon-building, Pastor Quiboloy established SMNI News Channel. This media plaorm focuses on responsible journalism and provides a plaorm for diverse voices to be heard. SMNI News Channel’s commitment to delivering balanced news coverage fosters an informed cizenry, encourages crical thinking, and contributes to the development of a democrac society. By providing accurate and reliable informaon, the channel plays a vital role in shaping public discourse, fostering transparency, and strengthening the naon’s democrac instuons. Furthermore, Pastor Quiboloy’s advocacies extend to providing assistance for those devastated by typhoons through SMNI Foundaon Inc. This foundaon plays a crucial role in disaster response and recovery eorts, providing aid, relief, and rehabilitaon to communies aected by natural disasters. The foundaon’s prompt and comprehensive assistance has helped aected individuals and communies rebuild their lives and restore their livelihoods during mes of great need. Through this advocacy, Pastor Quiboloy demonstrates compassion and solidarity with those facing adversity, oering hope and support in the face of devastaon. Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy’s success story lies not only in his personal achievements but also in his posive impact on society. His advocacies for spiritual salvaon, children’s welfare, environmental preservaon, naon-building, and disaster relief have brought hope and transformaon to individuals, communies, and the naon as a whole. His dedicaon, vision, and unwavering commitment to these causes have garnered respect and support from the majority. Tirelessly preaching about the Kingdom of God here in the Philippines and abroad, he has set forth a revoluon in the hearts and minds of men and has brought change for those who heeded and accepted his message. To date, Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy connues to reach out to millions of homes and touch lives through the Sonshine Media Network Internaonal or SMNI, aired worldwide, which is revoluonizing the face of the media with its tagline, “TRUTH that maers.”Awarded Honorary Spiritual Leader with Strong Advocacy for Peace and Nation Building of the Year236

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Among her numerous accolades are the Internaonal Model Award 2023, Unsung Heroes Award 2022, Fashion Icon Award 2022, Best Female Internaonal Innovave Model of the Year 2022, Mrs. Universe Golden Heart Award – South Korea in 2022, Manila’s Best Dressed Circle Awards 2022, and being the Aguman Kapampangan UK Ambassadress, among many others. The list goes on. And just this February, she was featured in what is considered the “Crossroads of the World”, no other than the Times Square of New York. But for Ms. Thompson, her modelling is not all about the glitz and glamour. “I upli my community by being acve in charity works like fashion shows and charity events. I am modelling in charity fashion shows and serve as ambassadress for clothing brands that advocate helping less fortunate people.” When not turning heads on the runway, Ms. Thompson is dedicated in her job as a physiotherapy assistant in St. Thomas Hospital in London, a job she had for nine years now. She may have a cabinet-full of awards and accomplishments but for the so-spoken yet empowered 45-year-old, being a mother is her greatest achievement.“My advocacy is to help other people – financially  as a patient. That is why I love my job and I feel rewarded when a patient’s function got better. Also, doing charity fashion sho makes me happy as I am doing them f wthy causes.”- LYNETTE MEDINAAwarded Honorary Modern Filipina Heroism of the Year238

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“My biggest achievement in life is becoming a mother. I have three beauful children, Lianne Michelle, Raphael Jerald, and Shania Paige, who are intelligent, respecul, and polite. The best feeling in the world is when they appreciate what I do to them as a mother.” Despite her very busy schedule juggling her job and her advocacy works, she always nds me to be with her family.“I balance my life well in regard to work and family. I work full-me; I am a model and also a mother. I manage my me eciently and I am blessed that my family supports me in my modelling too. They come and watch me when I do the fashion shows.” Graduang with Bachelors of Science in Physical Therapy at the Medical Colleges of Northern Philippines in Cagayan Valley, Ms. Thompson never fails to look back at her roots. “The challenge of growing up was to gure out for myself what to do and what profession to pursue. The degree I wanted was law or medicine but it did not materialize due to nancial reasons.” “My family could not aord long years of expensive educaon but fortunately, having excelled in academics during my high school years, I got a paral college scholarship from the Private Educaon Student Fund Assistance and I was able to nish my degree with the support from the government.” Ms. Thompson, who ironically grew up boyish, normally seen wearing trousers and shirts, looked up to her father during her formave years. For her, the hard work and passion of her father for his job was the thing that inspired her during her college years. “My father was always reminding us that educaon is especially important as we will be carrying it wherever we go when we are older.” Ms. Thompson fondly recalls of her father, who was once awarded as Naonal Postmaster of the Year. “My dad always believed that I will do wonderful things when I nish my studies.” And wonderful things she did as she showed signs of being a strong and empowered woman capable of leading with empathy even at a young age. “While I was in a private catholic school, I was oered a scholarship but I chose to give it up for someone who I knew needed it more. Her parents did not have a permanent income. I asked our school principal to keep it condenal.” Today, she is a member of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapists in the UK, UK Naonal Director for Steadfast Creave Arts Producons, UK CEO of MUSA Fabrics, Team Leader of Miss Eco Global Universe, Naonal Director of Ms. and Mrs. United Naons Pageant, and President of Empowered Modern Filipino Europe Awards.Awarded Honorary Modern Filipina Heroism of the Year239

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Her work in the hospital, paired with her charity works in the eld of fashion, makes her a perfect example of a modern Filipina hero, and she has her parents to thank for, Ms. Thompson shares.“My parents were public servants. They have inuenced me to be like them. Another reason I entered a life of advocacy is that I love helping people, I love the feeling of giving something to those who are in need.”Given the inuence she has, she knew that the roles she fullls come with great responsibilies.“As a respected member of my community, I inspire the lives of others by being an example to them and showing my work on charity shows, especially in social media. Social media is a powerful tool and people from around the world will see how I put myself out there to support charies,” Ms. Thompson says.“Charity work is hard because it is not easy to convince others to give money for a cause, especially with the economic situaon recently. Doing it through charity fashion shows is easier as I model for them and some of the money we raise goes to charity.”In her many years of navigang the industry, Ms. Thompson needed to be brave to take many risks as the fashion industry is known as a very demanding one, especially for women.“As a young girl, learning to ride a bicycle was forbidden due to the fear of my parents of accidents,” Ms. Thompson recalls a memorable experience when she was nine. “Without my parents’ knowledge, I managed to learn to ride a bike using my friend’s bicycle. My parents found out when I had an accident, crashing into a wall and had bruises and cuts. Though I was banned from leaving the house on weekends for the following two weeks, I was not sad as I knew then how to ride a bicycle.”And that young girl grew up to be the same courageous woman who deed odds and norms especially for a Filipino migrant in a faraway country. For Ms. Thompson, there is sll a long way to go in her life of advocacy and becoming a role model for Filipinas. “I can see myself in ten years as a more empowered woman in the fashion industry and become an inspiraon to younger generaons, especially those who also want to be a model. I can see the community I am advocang for connue to prosper and able to help more of their chosen charies,” Ms. Thompson says. “My ulmate goal is to inspire and empower women like me to support and help others to grow and build their own identy.” Given all the accolades she achieved, she always sees to it that she remains under the bright – and somemes blinding – spotlight. “What keeps my feet on the ground is the love I get from everyone around me and the respect I show to everyone.” “If there’s a quotaon that I would say my favorite, it would be William Shakespeare’s ‘love all, trust a few, and wrong none.’” Indeed, it was through love – her love of family, of her roots, of her job, and of her community – that she is able to shine the brightest as a role model for young and empowered Filipinas.Awarded Honorary Modern Filipina Heroism of the Year240

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NATION BUILDERSThere is more than meets the eyes. This o-repeated words aptly describe Gem Casllo as an icon of women empowerment. For, beneath the glam and joy of her persona is a most fascinang lady who has a mind of her own and a heart of gold, epitomizing the empowered woman in our world today. Owing to her vibrant persona, laudable endeavors and many achievements , she has stood tall in the eyes of others. Her character, accomplishments and advocacies as a woman has empowered her to be a catalyst of change and beerment of life in her community. Of humble beginnings, she was driven by the strong desire to succeed in life. Never did she let the deprivaons of her early life take the beer of her and weaken her aspiraons and dreams. Instead, she made use of her musical and acng talent in the world of entertainment and show business to make a living at a very young age. This early achievement has given her the power to stand on her own and support herself without depending on anybody; thus, enabling her to decide for herself, make her own choices, and pursue her dreams. Making a name for herself due to her early success, she soon nds her niche in the greater realm of opportunies and achievements amid all adversies and challenges.AWARDED HONORARYMOST EMPOWERED WOMANOF THE YEARMS. GEM CASTILLOPRESIDENT AND CEO, PASEO DE SAN PABLO FIRST LADYCITY OF SAN PABLOThe Power that is GEM CASTILLO241

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In her career early in life, she won over the ght against discriminaon and exploitaons by not leng anybody put her down, or take advantage of her. Ever since, she has never wallowed in miseries and misfortunes, and has always fought for her rights and dignity, a disposion which has also made her an inspiraon of strength to others. Blessed with good looks, she has proven to be not just a prey face by pung her heart into various civic acvies that make life more substanal and meaningful. Aside from her own philanthropic works, she has joined various civic organizaons that serve the well-being of others and that of the society at large. At present, she is a proud and acve member of the SPC Chapter of the Girl Scout of the Philippines, Lions Club of Seven Lakes, and San Pablo Rotary Central; and the Honorary Chairman of the San Pablo City Local Council of Women., her aliaons to which have increased her capacity to promote and serve the well-being of others. Becoming a social media vlogger out of her desire to widen her horizon, she added a new dimension to her mul-faceted persona as Media Inuencer; signicantly contribung to the important role of women in shaping the values and ideals of the society. Her vlogs are oen a foray to the realies and condions of life, through which she gets to educate other people. In winning the hearts, respect and trust of others in showing her abilies and proving her worth in dierent elds of endeavours and self-expression, she has become a popular inspiraonal speaker and juror to various educaonal, arts and cultural events in her locality and elsewhere. For this year’s various celebraon of Women’s Month, she has her hands full of invitaon as guest speaker, signifying her worth as a woman of substance. But besides being a public gure and a media personality, Gem takes pride being a dong mother to her four children: Alexandra, Cassandra, Alondra, and Vicente Jr. In spite of her busy schedule with her interests and endeavors, she nds me to care for them and be the best mom ever. However, she never lets motherhood and her being a family woman relegates her to household chores and mundane acvies at home. Empowered that she is, she has learned to divide her me between family and work. She makes it a point to be with them when they need parental care and aenon no maer how ght her schedule is. She makes them understand that being a good mother does not mean staying at home all day, and waing for their return from school. Awarded Honorary Most Empowered Woman of the Year243

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Instead, she has impressed upon them that a loving mother is one who guides them to be good persons not only for their loved ones, but, most importantly, to other people. As such, her children, young though they are, are a delight to others by being respecul, warm and kind. Dio for her role as a wife. Gem is happy that her relaonship with Mayor Vic is founded on mutual respect for each other. She is most grateful that the good mayor lets her grow as a person in the service of her fellow beings. He supports her in the same way that she supports him in his polical endeavours; thus, giving her the freedom and inspiraon to be what she is and to do what she wants. On being a daughter to her parents and a sibling, Gem is always loved for her generosity and kindness . With her means and loving heart, she goes out of her way to help them in their needs , and to be by their side in mes of trouble and happiness. They look up to her for changing their lives for the beer through hard work and sacrices. Her being a woman did not stop her from dreaming big for them, for she knows in her heart that she has the power to rise to the top. Truly, a pride of womanhood, she has won accolades and various recognions for all her endeavours which, for all intents and purposes, an armaon and exultaon not only of her person but of her womanhood. For her altruisc deeds, she was named “Most Outstanding Widely Known and Esteemed Philanthropist on Charitable Works“ by Asia’s World Class Filipino Award; “Honorary Philanthropist of the Year” by Naon Builders and Mosliv Award; “Outstanding Philanthropist of the Year Award” by the Southeast Asian Achievement Award, “Most Oustanding and Trusted Woman Philanthropist on Charitable Work” by Asia’s Triumphant Award, and “Philanthropist of the Year ” by the Diamond Excellence Award. Also conferred upon her is the Gawad Dangal Filipino Award for the same deed and the various cercates of appreciaon for rendering her invaluable me, eort and services as part of the acvies and projects. On April 22, this same year, she will receive the AmerAsia’s 2023 Outstanding Humanitarian Service Award in Hollywood, Los Angeles, U.S.A. . In an interview with her about the place of women in the family and society, she refutes the old view that women are second to men, and, in her most condent and self-assured way, said., “A woman whether at home or at the outside world must be treated equally with man. She must be given the same equal rights, privileges and opportunies. She must not be subservient to man and should always ght for her dignity. She must love herself the same way she loves others”. Now that she has reached the heights of her life’s dreams, she has no other wish but to share her blessings with others. For her, there is no real power when one is unable to touch other people’s lives and be able to ght the injusces in this world. She believes that the empowerment of a woman lies in the eyes that see, in the mind that thinks, and in the heart that feels. Pung all things together, Gem as a paragon of excellence in being a woman, embodies the spirit of equality in our world today. Through all her accomplishments in her personal, social and public life, she has shown that women are as good and valuable as men. With the same abilies. With the same rights. With the same responsibilies. By being herself and a being for others, she has become a pillar of strength to womanhood – an inspiraon to WOMEN EMPOWERMENT.. PAGPUPUGAY SA NATATANGING DANGAL NG KABABAIHAN: GEM CASTILLO!Awarded Honorary Most Empowered Woman of the Year244

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NATION BUILDERSHAIL TO THE NEW PNP CHIEF PGEN Benjamin Acorda, Jr. A GENTLEMAN from the North is how Philippine Naonal Police Chief, PGEN Benjamin C. Acorda Jr. is described by his peers and subordinates who consider him as the real ‘Dark Horse’ in the race for the PNP Chief. A member of Philippine Military Academy (PMA) ‘Sambisig’ Class of 1991 just like The PNP Chief of Directorial Sta, Lieutenant Gen. Michael John F. Dubria, Maj. Gen. Acorda is regarded by many as a ‘Humble Servant’ whose family has produced a long line of outstanding public ocials of Ilocos Norte, the home province of the Marcoses led by President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ R. Marcos Jr. His maternal grandfather, Captain Felipe Casuga of La Union was a soldier who got the Disnguished Service Cross aer losing his life while ghng Japanese invaders in 1944. PGEN Acorda’s father and namesake, Aorney Benjamin Acorda Sr. was an Air Force Enlisted Personnel who rose to become a disnct lawyer at the Cizen’s Legal Assistance Oce, now known the Public Aorney’s Oce in La Union. His mother Puricacion Casuga Acorda is a disnguished government nurse in the province. PGEN Acorda fondly recalls that it was his parents who inslled in him the virtues of patriosm and genuine public service at a very young age. The ocial nished elementary at the Gabaldon Elementary School’s Special Educaon Center in Laoag City before going to the Bacarra Naonal Comprehensive High School where he met his rst love and future wife Oliva Balasi Afaga. The two have four wonderful children. A highly-decorated police ocer, PGEN Acorda earned his Master’s Degree in Management from the Philippine Chrisan University.AWARDED HONORARYPUBLIC SERVANTOF THE YEAREXCELLENCE IN GOVERNMENT SERVICEPBGEN. BENJAMIN C. ACORDA, JR.CHIEF, PHILIPPINE NATIONAL POLICE245

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He also delivered sincere and dedicated service as the Regional Director of the Police Regional Oce 10 in Northern Mindanao which earned a high public trust rang and kept crime at a minimal level during his snt as RD. As an Invesgator, he was once chief of the Camanava Criminal Invesgaon and Detecon Team of the PNP Criminal Invesgaon and Detecon Group; was a former CIDG Region 4-B chief; and headed the CIDG An-Fraud and Commercial Crimes Division which solved a number of major crimes in Metro Manila and other parts of the country. PGEN Acorda also used to be Chief of the Operaons and Plans’ Branch, Intelligence Ocer and Assistant Provincial Director for Operaons of the Ilocos Norte Police Provincial Oce in 2008 and CIDG Deputy Chief of Operaons in 2010. He also was once Deputy Director for Operaons and later Deputy Director for Administraon of the Naonal Capital Region Police Oce (NCRPO). The ocial was also former chief of sta of the PNP Civil Security Group and briey commanded the PNP Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group created to go aer rogues in police uniform. PGEN Acorda was also one of the ocials who pioneered the creaon of the PNP An-Cybercrime Group. As an ocer of the unit, he was among those recognized by China and Taiwan for launching a major an-cybercrime operaon in the country which led to the arrest of hundreds of Chinese and Taiwanese naonals involved in cyber-crimes. The ocial is a proud member of the United Naons Blue Helmets or police ocers who have been deployed twice as members of the Philippine conngent in the UN peacekeeping operaons in Hai. He occupied a directorial posion in the UN mission and supervised law enforcement ocers from foreign countries like Jordan, China, Canada, Russia, Columbia, Nepal, Ghana and the United States. PGEN Acorda also used to be an intelligence and operaons ocer in three mobile force companies in Basilan; was once chief of the Producon Branch of the PRO1 Regional Intelligence Division; chief of the Ilocos Norte Provincial Police Intelligence Branch; chief of the PRO4-B and later the NCRPO Regional Intelligence Divisions; and chief of the Counter-Intelligence and Security Division of the PNP-DI. A veteran operaons and intelligence ocer, Acorda earned his 1st-star as Execuve Ocer of the PNP-DI. As PRO10 director, he led all police operaons to ensure peaceful and orderly May 2023 elecon in Northern Mindanao despite many challenges. While PRO10 director, he led his men in arresng 2,049 wanted persons while accounng for 79 New People’s Army members in the region apart from neutralizing 17 others during police oensive operaons. As Northern Mindanao police director, he dismissed 149 erring police personnel while leading various an-drugs and an-criminality operaons which resulted in the seizure of nearly P35 million worth of shabu and dried marijuana leaves and more than 500 illegal weapons.Awarded Honorary Public Servant of the Year – Excellence in Government Service247

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He has proven his being a well-rounded ocer in his many previous assignments. He was chief of the Sual Municipal Police Staon when the U.S.$2.2-billion-dollar Sual Coal-Fired Power Plant was built during the Fidel Ramos presidency. Since becoming the PNP Director for Intelligence in August last year, the ocial has supervised operaons which led to the neutralizaon of 28 high-ranking NPA ocials naonwide. No police ocial was also harassed or overrun by the rebels during the period as a result of intelligence reports forwarded by the PNP-DI to all concerned units which were all properly acted upon. PGEN Acorda has gained a comprehensive overview of the importance of naonal security and territorial integrity as a result of his previous assignments. Also, a trained strategist, he is known for delivering his mandated tasks with prociency and precision. A God-fearing man who lives and inspire others by example, Acorda believes integrity, humility and accountability are the most important aributes of a leader and a good public servant. He has also fully commied to serve the present administraon with utmost sincerity and dedicaon to give the best service to the Filipino people. The name of PGEN Acorda has cropped up as among the top candidates to succeed Gen. Azurin owing to his solid credenals as well as his being from the Solid North. Journal Group sources said that the President’s trust and condence will always play a major role in his decision plus the recommendaon from his most trusted lieutenants and security ocers including Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Benjamin ‘Benhur’ C. Abalos Jr. PGEN Acorda however will be rering from the force this coming December 3, giving him less than eight months to lead the organizaon as the PNP Chief.Awarded Honorary Public Servant of the Year – Excellence in Government Service248

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NATION BUILDERSAy. Persida Acosta, the Fearless and Resilient PAO CHIEF, lives by a powerful mantra: “I possess the courage and determinaon of a man, as a woman, to overcome any obstacle.” A trailblazer in her eld, being one of the rst women to hold the posion of Chief Public Aorney in the Philippines, Ay. Persida Acosta has paved the way for other women to follow in her footsteps and has been a source of inspiraon for many aspiring lawyers. Despite facing cricism and opposion, Ay. Acosta remains steadfast in her beliefs and connues to ght for jusce and equality for all. Her unwavering commitment to making a posive impact on society is truly remarkable and deserving of recognion. The Chief Public Aorney of the Public Aorney’s Oce ranked fourth in the 1989 Bar Examinaons. She holds a Doctor of Social Development degree from the University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City, with a General Weighted Average (GWA) of 1.20. She has also completed the Senior Execuve Fellows Program and the Senior Execuve Program on Naonal and Internaonal Security at the Harvard Kennedy School (HKS) in Massachuses, U.S.A. Ay. Persida Rueda Acosta is an accomplished Asian Public Intellectuals (API) Senior Fellow. She has also been recognized as a Fellow of the Salzburg Global Seminar and the U.S.A. Internaonal Visitor (IV) Program.INTRODUCING THE BRAVE AND TENACIOUS PAO CHIEFAWARDED HONORARYPUBLIC SERVANTOF THE YEAREXCELLENCE IN GOVERNMENT SERVICEDR. PERSIDA V. RUEDA-ACOSTA, DSDCHIEF, PUBLIC ATTORNEY’S OFFICE (PAO)249

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Awarded Honorary Public Servant of the Year – Excellence in Government Service252THE PUBLIC ATTORNEY’S OFFICE STRIVES TO ESTABLISH A COMPASSIONATE SOCIETY During her tenure as the PAO chief, Aorney Persida Rueda-Acosta has been resolute in her commitment to promong a caring society under the leadership of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. She expressed her appreciaon for the more than 2,000 public defenders who have relessly served 6,687,630 clients in 2020 and 9,707,274 clients in 2021, despite the challenges posed by the pandemic. Acosta also praised the high rate of posive disposion of cases, with PAO lawyers represenng clients in 752,196 cases in 2020 and 787,174 in 2021. She expressed hope that many persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) would be released and rehabilitated before the end of 2022. The Department of Jusce is working towards a target date of October 25 for releasing qualied PDLs, with the goal of surpassing the 371 PDLs that were released on September 13, 2022. In addion, the PAO has agreed to represent more qualied ligants under the supplemental pact with the Department of Social Welfare and Development. The memorandum of agreement will specically address women and children who are vicms of “economic abuse” and who inially sought the assistance of the DSWD. Furthermore, the PAO has commied to represenng a greater number of qualied ligants under the supplementary agreement with the Department of Social Welfare and Development. The memorandum of agreement will concentrate on women and children who have been vicmized by “economic abuse” and who originally sought assistance from the DSWD. DR. PERSIDA V. RUEDA-ACOSTA, DSD., the Chief Public Aorney of the Public Aorney’s Oce (PAO) since February 23, 2001, is the 4th Placer in the 1989 Bar Examinaons. She completed the Senior Execuve Fellows Program, as well as the Senior Execuve Program on Naonal and Internaonal Security at the Harvard Kennedy School (HKS), Massachuses, U.S.A. She acquired a Cercate in Public Financial Management, also from HKS, and a Professional Cercate in Internaonal Management and Leadership from the Internaonal Centre for Parliamentary Studies in London. Dr. Acosta aended the Salzburg Global Seminar, as Fellow, last February this year, and in 2009. Dr. Acosta’s experse in legal aid, and human rights advocacy has been recognized by various internaonal instuons, inter alia, The Internaonal Instute for Jusce and the Rule of Law or IIJ, UNICEF; UNODC; UNDP; USAID; the Nippon Foundaon; Japan Legal Support Center; Legal Aid South Africa; China University of Polical Science and Law; the Legal Aid Foundaon in Taiwan; Legal Aid ACT in Australia; and, the School of Law of Benne University in India through their invitaons to her as an expert, a resource person, and partner in advocacies. As a mul-awarded public servant, two of Dr. Acosta’s major signicant awards are The Outstanding Filipino Award for Jusce and Law from The Outstanding Filipino Awards or TOFIL, that was conferred to her last December 12, 2022, and the Lingkod Bayan Award, the Highest Presidenal Award for Outstanding Public Service, from the Civil Service Commission, that was awarded to her on September 22, 2004. This award promoted her to a rank that is equivalent to a Department Secretary, as provided under Secon 5 of Execuve Order No. 508, entled, “Instung the Lingkod Bayan Award as the Presidenal Award for Outstanding Public Service”, dated March 2, 1992, issued by the late former President Corazon C. Aquino. She has connuously been entrusted with cases of naonal and global signicance. Three of these are the cases of: (1) FORMER DEATH CONVICTS ROBERTO LARA AND RODERICK LICAYAN – On January 26, 2004, Chief Acosta, who believed in their innocence in view of strong pieces of evidence, delivered her oral argument at the Supreme Court (the rst naonwide head of PAO to do so) in connecon with the Moon to Suspend Lara and Licayan’s Execuon and Reopening of their case. She successfully convinced the jusces to grant a retrial on their Kidnapping case. Reprieves were granted to more than 1,000 death convicts. These led to the abolion of death penalty in the Philippines on June 24, 2006; (2) FORMER ‘KASAMBAHAY’ BONITA BARAN – She was maltreated by her previous employers unl she lost sight in her right eye. Her case helped in the approval of Republic Act No. 10361 (Domesc Workers Act/Batas Kasambahay) on January 18, 2013. With Chief Acosta’s zealous legal assistance, her former employers, were found guilty of Serious Illegal Detenon, Serious Physical Injuries, and Aempted Homicide; (3) VICTIMS OF BULLET PLANTING SCHEME OR “TANIM-BALA” - With Chief Acosta as the lead counsel of bullet-planng or “laglag/tanim bala” cases in 2015 – 2016, PAO was able to win the said cases of more than seventy (70) vicms. Her legal assistance to the said vicms gave back to plane passengers peace of mind as they enjoy their right to travel, and the Philippines had risen from negave publicies since the said scheme is now a thing of the past. Since her assumpon into oce as naonwide head of PAO, Chief Acosta has opened her mobile phone number: 0919-2625190 to the public. This number has connuously been one of the people’s closest links to her even during the height of the pandemic. She also introduced a legal aid innovaon during the pandemic, #PALA (Persida Acosta’s Legal Advice). It is PAO’s online legal counselling and legal informaon disseminaon program, which had its maiden online show on July 30, 2021 (and had entered its Season 5 recently). #PALA can be seen live on Chief Acosta’s ocial Facebook page (with one million followers) and You Tube channel (with more than forty-three thousand subscribers) every Friday at 1:30 p.m. Through the said social media plaorms, Chief Acosta interacts with clients, and renders legal advice and opinions on quesons that were sent earlier or during the program by followers and viewers in the Philippines and abroad. She also renders pro bono legal advice in her daily columns on two newspapers of general circulaon —The Manila Times broadsheet and Bulgar (Boses ng Masa, Mata ng Bayan), number one tabloid. Dr. Acosta, a nave of Cabcaben, Mariveles, Bataan, has an impressive academic background. She was a consistent valedictorian from elementary to high school. In college, she was a consistent dean’s lister at the University of the East (UE), where she graduated with a BS General course, cum laude. When she took up her law studies at the Ateneo de Manila University and UE, she was a Dr. Antonio del Casllo Memorial Scholar and President Dalupan Scholar, respecvely. PROFILE OF DR. PERSIDA V. RUEDA-ACOSTA, DSD

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Certied Most Sustainable and Liveable Party ListPARTY LIST, 1-PACMANHON. MICHAEL L.ROMERO, PH.D.REPRESENTATIVESEVEN TRANSFORMATIVE YEARSThis fundamental truth is not lost on 1-PACMAN Party list Representave Michael “Mikee” Romero, who is serving his third consecuve term as a lawmaker whose foremost duty is to advocate the welfare of poverty-stricken Filipinos. Eradicang poverty is and has always been among the world’s greatest challenges, but the task has only goen tougher in the face of a warming world that leaves countries like the Philippines .among the most vulnerable. As representave of One Patrioc Coalion of Marginalized Naonals or 1-PACMAN for the last seven years (17th, 18th, and 19th Congress), Rep. Romero has authored over 1,400 House Bills and Resoluons, of which, 73 have been stamped as Philippine Republic Acts with a resounding naonal impact. Poverty alleviaon is an indispensable requirement for sustainable development, requiring cooperaon from all societal units, starng from the individual to the family to the community and other relevant stakeholders, such as business, government organizaons and not. Their mission lives on and more in the 19th Congress, as Rep. Mikee Romero carries on with his duty of enabling job generaon and providing basic services to Filipinos, such as free educaon and healthcare. As Chairperson of the House Commiee on Poverty Alleviaon, Romero nds himself at the very frontline of championing the wellbeing of the marginalized in the legislave, well aware of how poverty alleviaon is an indispensable requirement for sustainable development. 1-PACMAN saw this and delivered, having been one of the leading authors of pandemic smulus packages known as Bayanihan 3 and 4, which would soon be renamed as “Babangon Muli Bills”. But prior to the pandemic, the Party list had already been working hard to ensure basic services for the least fortunate Filipinos. Knowing that lack of food on the table and access to quality educaon remain as the biggest concerns of Filipino families, 1-PACMAN led the passage of RA 11310 or the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) Act. Under this naonal poverty reducon strategy and human capital investment program, poor households are receiving condional cash transfer for a maximum period of seven (7) years to help improve their quality of life. They also took part in the making of RA 11201 or the Creaon of the Department of Human Selements and Urban Development, which grants impoverished Filipinos access to aordable and decent housing.253

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Last but not the least, 1-PACMAN sought to protect small farmers with their involvement in the passage of RA 10969 or the Free Irrigaon Service Act, which exempts all farmers with landholding of eight hectares and below from paying irrigaon service fees for water derived from originaon systems managed by the Naonal Irrigaon Administraon (NIA). Farmers connue to be among the poorest in the naon because of the lack of support services, making it necessary to provide such services to support them, especially as more frequent typhoons are sweeping in and destroying their crops. Corporate Recovery and Tax Incenves for Enterprises (CREATE) Law was recently enacted, known to be the largest scal smulus for businesses in the country’s recent history. In the eld of health care, Romero ushered reforms through RA11223 or the Universal Health Care Act which provides equitable access to quality and aordable health care, goods, and services. To pay homage to the Overseas Filipinos Workers, who are considered the country’s modern heroes, Romero aimed for the passage of RA 11641 or the Creaon of Department of Migrant Workers to enable smooth coordinaon among agencies concerned with overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and OFW aairs.AGRICULTURE LAWSRA 10969 Free Irrigaon Service ActRA 11203 Rice Taricaon ActRA11398 Fisheries Regulaon ActRA 11511 Amending the Organic Agriculture ActRA 11524 Cocolevy Trust Fund ActPOVERTY ALLEVIATIONRA 11310 4P’s ActRA 10931 Free Tuion Fee ActHEALTHCARE LAWSRA 11215 Naonal Integrated Cancer Control ActRA 11223 Universal Health ActRA 11228 Mandatory PhilHealth Coverage for All PWD`sRA 11166 Philippine HIV and AIDS Policy Act of 2018RA 11509 Doktor para sa BayanECONOMIC LAWSRA 10929 Free Internet Access in Public PlacesRA 11032 Ease of Doing Business ActRA 1121 New Bangko ng Sentral ng Pilipinas ActRA 11293 Philippines Innovaon ActRA11337 Innovave Startup ActThe following are the laws (Republic Acts) 1-PACMAN principally authored and created: Certified Most Sustainable and Liveable Party List255

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SPORTS LAWRA 11214 Philippine Sports Training Center ActSOCIAL SERVICES AND LABOR LAWSRA 10968 Philippine Qualicaons FrameworkRA 11058 Occupaonal Safety & Health Standards ActRA 11199 SSS Raonalizaon ActRA 11466 Salary Standardizaon Act of 2019PANDEMIC RESPONSE LAWRA 11469 Bayanihan Act to Heal as One 1PERMITS, LICENSES AND PASSPORTS LAWSRA 10928 Ext Validity of PH Passports to 10 YearsRA10930 Ext Validity of Driver`s License to 5 YearsFOR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGYRA 11312 Magna Carta for Sciensts & EngineersFOR SENIOR CITIZENSRA 11350 Naonal Commission of Senior Cizen ActFOR MUSLIM AFFAIRSRA 11054 BANGSAMORO Organic LawFOR ANTI-TERRORISMRA 11479 An-Terrorism Act of 2020FOR NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENERGYRA 11038 Expanded Natl. Integrated Protected Area of 2018RA 11039 Electric Cooperaves Emergency ActFOR TELECOMMUNICATIONSRA11202 Mobile Number Portability ActLOCAL GOVERNMENT LAWSRA 11292 Seal of Local Governance Act of 2019RA 11053 An-Hazing LawTAXES AND REVENUES LAWSRA 10963 TRAIN ActRA11534 CREATE ActRA 11346 Addional Tobacco Sin Tax Having served as the House of Representaves’ Senior Deputy Speaker in charge of Polical Aairs from 2019-2022, Mikee Romero is indebted to colleagues and the Filipino people who connue to put their faith in his leadership capabilies, He was also elected as the Deputy Chairman of the House of Representaves’ conngent to the Annual Philippine bicameral budget conferences for years 2021 and 2022. Romero was formerly the Leader and President of the second biggest block in the 18th Congress, the 54-congress member Party List Coalion (PLC) group. It is during his leadership that the Party List Coalion became a strong force and a big swing vote in Congress. From 2016 to 2022, various award giving bodies have taken note of the party list’s dedicaon to serving the public. Romero was consistently awarded annually as a “top performer congressman and an outstanding congressman awardee” by Superbrands Philippines, Asia Leaders Awards, Naon Builders Award, Elite Leaders Awards and others. On top of heading the House Commiee on Poverty Alleviaon, 1PACMAN, through Rep. Romero’s leadership will do more than upli the lives of ordinary Filipinos. The goal is to empower them to live a sustainable life, not just in terms of their means of living but their quality of life as a whole.Certified Most Sustainable and Liveable Party List256

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Certied Most Sustainable and Liveable DistrictLONE DISTRICT CITY OF SAN JOSE DEL MONTE, BULACANCongresswoman Florida “Ate Rida” P. Robes has made it her duty to transform the Lone District of San Jose del Monte to the next sustainable and livable Rising City. Her commitment as “Ate ng Bayan” in the City of San Jose del Monte led to the huge and signicant development in the district through legislaon in favor of the general well-being of its constuents. To achieve this, she is working with the private sector, governments, civil society, and other partners to build inclusive, resilient, and sustainable city for all San Joseños and she is helping to create compeve economies that provide new kinds of jobs, especially for the urban poor and indigent families. She is also showcasing some of the innovave knowledge and transformave acons that have proven to help end extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity in the city.FINANCING THE URBAN AGENDAPROMOTING TERRITORIAL DEVELOPMENT AND BETTER PUBLIC SERVICE Congresswoman Rida Robes provides funding and helps the city put in place the nancial framework to enable them to aract investment to grow in a sustainable manner. She implements urban projects focused on improving nancial and instuonal performance of the city to improve the city’s investment capacity to aract private investor in city’s infrastructure and services through public-private partnerships. She sought support to expand the sources of revenue to encompass a wider array of “value capture” and land-based nancing tools, thereby leveraging private capital in greater amount and increasing the social, economic, and scal return on cies’ public investment. Ate Cong Rida responds to the urgent need of the city to smulate sustainable, inclusive economic growth in those lagging lands and urban spaces. This zeal in public service for San Joseños made an impact throughout the city. Allowing her to be the rst woman legislator in the City of San Jose del Monte to win three consecuve terms in the elecons.Congresswoman Robes allocated most of the district’s budget for the development of the city’s infrastructure and social services.HON. FLORIDA “ATE RIDA” P. ROBESCONGRESSwOMAN257

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She encourages San Joseños to ensure inclusive, equitable urban growth through a mul-dimensional approach to planning, incorporang aspects of economic, spaal, and social inclusion to foster economic growth and reduce poverty. Her dedicaon to deliver top-notch service for her constuents paved the way for these infrastructures to be built: Covered Courts, Mulpurpose Building, New Oces, School Buildings, Daycare Centers, Senior Cizens Building, Barangay Hall, Health Centers, Auditorium for City College of San Jose del Monte, St. Bernadee Mul-Specialty and Primary Care Health Facility, Facilies for the Students of City College of San Jose del Monte, People’s Park, and Glass House. Ate Rida also acvely parcipates in the Build, Build, Build Program through the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), resulng to the execuon of the developments in the district. The rehabilitaon and widening of concrete roads, by-pass roads, overlaying of asphalt in naonal highways traversing the district, and the on-going construcon of the Farm to Market Roads were made possible through the eorts of the Ate ng Bayan. She puts eorts focus on strengthening instuons for land management and territorial planning, as well as improving nancial management and investment priorizaon.Congresswoman Robes envisions the district to be the host of naonal events and business exposions. So, through her much eorts the following the construcon made possible: City of San Jose del Monte Convenon Center in 2020, the Convenon Center Hotel was inaugurated in 2022, making the city equipped for MICE Tourism.Certified Most Sustainable and Liveable District258

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Her engagement to improve the educaon sector of the district reects in her acon towards the establishment of the City College of San Jose del Monte (CCSJDM) – the rst government-operated terary school in the district. And furthermore, the allocaon of funds for the construct of Sunken Garden, Auditorium, Campus Park and the Criminology Building to cater more students and provide an overall learning experience for the City Collegians. Ate Rida is making sure that the San Joseño youth, through the CCSJDM is always equipped with the right amenies, as they are the city’s young dreamers and future leaders. Growing up in a family-oriented household, Ate Rida made a commitment to priorize the welfare of Pamilyang San Joseño by making sure that everyone will always be heard and no one will be le behind. During the COVID-19 Pandemic, Congresswoman Rida Robes made sure that every San Joseño will receive assistance from the government. She provided food packs for the Homeowners Associaon Members and Ocials, members of the Muslim Community, Purok and Parent Leaders, Teachers, Street Sweepers, Trac Enforcers, and TODA and JODA Members. This iniave from the District’s Representave conducts Medical Missions that would provide on-site check-up, ECG, and Blood Chem with the provision of vitamins and reading glasses. Her oce also distributes wheelchairs, nebulizers, maintenance medicines, and medical equipment to indigent families ensuring that the underprivileged will experience genuine public service that embodies puso and malasakit. The Ate ng Bayan also distributed Disinfectant Kits to Barangays COVID-19 Patroller to prevent the spread of the COVID-19. Her program Tindahan ni Maria has provided grocery package and cash assistance to exisng sari-sari stores to aid small business owners and equally distribute the supply needed by the families in the community. Ate Rida also helps small business owners by providing new Negosyo Kart to exising shball vendors, equipping them with the supplies needed to reinvigorate their business. Congresswoman Robes’ program “Alagang Ate Rida” associated to her name RIDA: Ramdam na Kalusugan, Ibayong Edukasyon, Daluyang Pangkabuhayan, Arugang Pampamilya is able to empower communies by providing direct assistance on maers of health, educaon, employment and livelihood opportunies, and the overall welfare of San Joseños.For her third term, the #AteRidAKO which stands for A - Ayudang Maaasahan, K - Kalusugan at Kaligtasan, O - Oportunidad para sa kinabukasan, a brainchild project of the Ate ng Bayan, was launched.AUTHENTIC SOCIAL SERVICES THROUGH ALAGANG ATE RIDA #ATERIDAKOAYUDANG MAAASAHANKALUSUGAN AT KALIGTASANOPORTUNIDAD PARA SA KINABUKASANCertified Most Sustainable and Liveable District259

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Since the start of her term, Congresswoman Rida has always visualized the transformaon of the district into a Rising City. Now that San Jose del Monte has chance to be the next Highly Urbanized City, Congresswoman Rida is working hand-in-hand with the City Mayor, Hon. Arthur B. Robes, to provide the district with infrastructures that would enhance the Public Service that the City Government provides. As the populaon of the city connues to grow, the City Hall requires immediate expansion for the City Government’s workforce. She believes that in order to eecvely serve the constuents, it is vital to have spacious and well-built facilies. Since 2017, the Ate ng Bayan has provided funds for the construcon of the infrastructure. From the current City Hall in Barangay Poblacion I, the soon-to-be nished City Hall or so named as the New Government Center is located at Barangay Dulong Bayan, with a breathtaking view of a the CSJDM River Esplanade. This line of programs and projects aim to prove the current administraon’s pledge to San Joseños, that their money’s worth will always reect in the city’s development, infrastructure, and alleviate the plight of the Pamilyang San Joseño. For her third term in the Congress, she came up with the 7 + 11 Agenda for the development of San Jose del Monte to become more inclusive and sustainable . The 7 Foundaonal Infrastructure:1. Kalutasan sa mga hamon ng Kalusugan2. Pagbuo ng Sustainable Housing Communies3. Paglaan ng Quality Terary Educaon para sa Kabataan4. Pagpapaunlad ng Turismo na magbibigay daan sa pag-angat ng Ekonomiya5. Renewal Energy Development 6. Solid Waste Management7. Urban Drainage and Sewer SystemThe 11 Legislave Agenda:1. Housing Development and Financing2. Rental Housing Subsidy Program3. On-site, In City and Near City Reselement4. Conduct for the Evicon of Homeless Underprivileged5. Magna Carta for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises6. Instuonalizaon of Barangay Health Centers7. Urban Countryside Greening Program8. Sustainable Water System9. Support to the strategic projects of the Comprehensive Development Plan10. Social Assistance and Constuency Services11. Development Partnership and Collaboraon These projects will enable Congresswoman Florida Robes to support the country’s naonal projects that will benet San Joseños and will ensure the city’s sustainable future. The Oce of Congresswoman Rida Robes partnered with various Naonal Government Agencies such as the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to ensure that San Joseños will benet from their programs. In 2022 over 11,000 beneciaries under the program DOLE TUPAD (Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ang Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers) were given assistance by the Oce of Congresswoman Florida Robes, providing emergency employment for displaced, underemployed and seasonal workers. Congresswoman Robes’ oce also provided assistance to over 10,000 beneciaries of DSWD’s Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situaon (AICS) that provides food and cash assistance to families belonging to the indigent and informal sector in the city. As city grows, so does its exposure and vulnerability to natural disasters. With this, Congresswoman Rida is helping the city to raise the nance that the City needs to build projects and programs resilient to climate change and disaster risks, connecng investors with bankable projects, and keeping millions of people safer and stronger. She also supports ecosystems-based disaster risk reducon through advocacy, capacity development, partnerships, and innovave soluons for sustainable and resilient development. Ate Cong Rida helps the City Government to develop a tailor-made environmental recovery programme through bridging gaps between policies and project implementaon to support long-term stability and sustainable development. Congresswoman Rida Robes manages things not just to create, amend, and sponsor house bills which is vital for the improvement of her district but as well as promong the Rising City to become liveable and sustainable. Finally, the Lone Congressional District of City of San Jose del Monte shows an improving condions for people and businesses in the city by aggressively invesng in infrastructure and reforming land markets is key to accelerang economic growth, adding jobs, and improving city compeveness.REPRESENTATIVE’S ROLE FOR THE RISING CITY’S TRANSFORMATION DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVE IN ACTIONBUILDING RESILIENCE TO NATURAL DISASTERS AND CLIMATE CHANGECertified Most Sustainable and Liveable District260

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Certied Most Sustainable and Liveable DistrictPROVINCE OF ZAMBOANGA SIBUGAYThe Province of Zamboanga Sibugay was created by virtue of Republic Act No. 8973 also known as “Charter of the Province of Zamboanga Sibugay” which was enacted into law by President Joseph Estrada on November 7, 2000. On February 24, 2001, a plebiscite was conducted within the 44 municipalies of Zamboanga del Sur as well as Pagadian City aiming to further rafy RA 8973. As it stands, the Province of Zamboanga Sibugay has comprised of sixteen (16) municipalies and 389 barangays which serves as home to approximately 633,129 inhabitants (Census, 2018) all belonging to varying walks of life, ethnicity, creed, and beliefs. At its very core, the province of Zamboanga Sibugay serves as the central enty which promotes progress, inclusivity, social jusce, and service for the Sibugaynons. As such, the above menoned events have then paved the way towards the establishment of Zamboanga Sibugay as the 79th Province of the Philippines. Throughout its short history, Zamboanga Sibugay quickly rose as a powerhouse within Region 9 in part by its rich culture, vibrant economy, and a strong sense of community. These are just some of the factors why the First Legislave District of Zamboanga Sibugay has quickly inserted itself into the ranks as one of the “Most Sustainable and Liveable Districts” not just within the region but also within the country. HON. wILTER Y. PALMACONGRESSMAN261

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However, growth especially at a province-wide level could give birth to several challenges that may accost its cizens. Factors such as water scarcity, food security, inequality, and lack of accessible educaon and healthcare could pose severe threats to the growth of the province and its constuents. As such, the First Legislave District of Zamboanga Sibugay through the leadership of the Hon. Wilter Yap Palma as its Congressman has deeply commied himself to inculcang Sustainable Development as a driving pillar toward achieving social progress, environmental balance, and economic growth within the district. While acknowledging how relavely young the Province of Zamboanga Sibugay along with its First Legislave District, the Hon. Palma has made it his life goal to boost growth not just within a district level but also at a provincial level. This was done by consistently bolstering the infrastructure systems on a district-wide and provincial-wide scale which would meet the essenal needs of the Sibugaynons, this includes the construcon of roads, bridges, solar power staons, hospitals, schools, and addional court salas. The Hon. Palma argues that accessibility for crucial government services and pivotal industries should be a primary focus to achieve a sustainable and healthy local ecosphere. As such, he notes that it is vital that the local and naonal government should work hand in hand to create systems that would improve the overall quality of life not just for the Sibugaynons but also for the Filipino people.INFRASTRUCTURE AS A BEACON OF GROWTHCertified Most Sustainable and Liveable District262

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As a result, the Hon. Palma has devised several carefully craed iniaves that aim to immediately address the pressing needs of his constuents, some of the projects concerning these eorts include the construcon of the Imelda District Hospital, construcon of six (6) addional branches of the Regional Trial Court (HB6579), the establishment of a separate schools division oce in the Municipality of Diplahan (HB466), Establishing a regular DFA Consular Oce in the Municipality of Ipil (HB6494), and the like. Outside of the legislave sphere, the Hon. Palma has also acvely pursued heightened province-wide vis-à-vis region-wide connecvity in the form of farm-to-market road construcon as well as the rehabilitaon and construcon of bridges and highways. With these eorts, during the Hon. Palma’s leadership as its governor, the province was even awarded the Rice Achievers Award by making Zamboanga Sibugay as one of the top rice-producing provinces in the country as well as the Seal of Good Local Governance awarded by the DILG for exhibing exemplary service and the promoon of good governance. As a mainly agriculture-centric province, the Province of Zamboanga Sibugay through such iniaves has greatly increased their producvity thus improving the overall economic standing of not just its industries but also the Sibugaynons. Certified Most Sustainable and Liveable District263

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The cizens are the backbone of every civilizaon and as leaders, we must take care of them and aend to every single one of their needs. Improving their quality of life shall be a surere way of ensuring that every single person is taken care of regardless of their race, color, or creed. With this core principle in mind the Hon. Palma has implemented several programs geared towards aiding the Sibugaynons with their most essenal needs. Iniaves such as Palma Healthcare, Medical Assistance for Indigent Paents, Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ang Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers, and Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situaon have all served as the primary cizen-geared iniaves that have aided the general populaon of Zamboanga Sibugay, especially during the advent of the COVID-19 Pandemic. Moreover, the Province of Zamboanga Sibugay through the leadership of the Hon. Palma has also pushed for free housing and scholarship programs for its qualied cizens and to this day, the number of beneciaries is sll constantly increasing. In a post-pandemic landscape, the Hon. Palma sll fully acknowledges that there are sll people who are in dire need of help from the government and as such, he sll emphasizes the importance of delivering these services to the people who need them the most. A true personicaon of “No Sibugaynon Le Behind”.NO SIBUGAYNON IS LEFT BEHINDCertified Most Sustainable and Liveable District264

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Certied Most Sustainable and Liveable ProvincePROVINCE OF DAVAO DEL NORTE, MINDANAOCARING FOR THE PRESENT AND NEXT GENERATIONS OF DABAONONSThe Province of Davao del Norte has since been at the forefront of advancing genuine local autonomy in Mindanao. With Governor Edwin I. Jubahib at the helm, the Provincial Government successfully established that it is not only bananas in the “Banana Capital” of the country. With the governor’s twin focus on poverty alleviaon and peacebuilding, as essenal underpinning of sustainable development, the province blazed the trail in improving service delivery and pursuing local peace engagement to end the local insurgency problem. The Jubahib administraon vigorously pursued the “Whole-of-Government Approach” in whole-of-naon approach in bringing basic services and socio-economic development to geographically-isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDAs). The Province’s hard work and strong synergy of all the stakeholders paid o when Davao del Norte was the rst province in the Davao Region to be declared last year as an “Insurgency-Free Province”, ready for further development. In the same manner, the Province implemented its policies, programs and projects in a holisc manner, through the “Whole-Person-Care Approach”. The method revoluonized parcularly the provision of basic health and social services by combining resources horizontally in improving the quality of life of Dabaonons most in need. It espoused and ulized the social determinants of a person’s well-being, such as access to food, health services, educaon, transportaon, housing and income opportunies, among other elements, that work together in promong the welfare of the people. As a result, Davao del Norte posted the lowest poverty incidence among families and per populaon in the Davao Region, as it was signicantly reduced from 12.5 percent in 2018 to 7.3 percent 2021.MOST EQUITABLE USE OF LAND AND RESOURCES d evelo pment neces sitates careful planning to ensure judicious ulizaon of available limited resources with least possible degra¬daon of the environment in improving the quality of life of the people. For this reason, the Provincial Government is now concluding the updang of the Provincial Development and Physical Framework Plan (PDPFP). The document is vital in providing a clear and denite direcon to make sure that the land and resources in the province are used equitably, eciently and in a sustainable manner. In the same manner, the Davao del Norte Forest Land Use Plan serves as a guidebook in the development and management of the forest and forestland of the province in driving sustainable growth. Sustainable HON. EDwIN I. JUBAHIBGOVERNOR265

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These plans provide impetus to the 13-point KUYA GOB NG MASA development agenda of Governor Jubahib, specically in building a beer future for the next generaons of Dabaonons. These spaal plans, among other relevant plans of the Province, work together in aaining Davao del Norte’s vision of becoming a “leading, innovave and compeve province with empowered and resilient people.” The increasing populaon and growing economic acvies demand addional requirement for built-up areas. Development sites that include residenal and selement spaces, as well as areas for industries, infrastructure and ulies. Davao del Norte has the biggest land area in the Davao Region alloed for agriculture, with 163,932.94 hectares of farmlands. Policy makers and planners in the province are giving close aenon to make sure producon areas are not being sacriced. To counter the unintended consequence of urbanizaon to food security, for instance, producvity levels are being maximized by enhancing the exisng infrastructure facilies and providing new ones like irrigaon, water system, pre and post-harvest facilies and appropriate technologies to enhance producon. The Province makes sure that the demands of increased business acvies are matched with environmental protecon and rehabilitaon eorts.KUYA GOBNG MASASinggit sa katawhan Kuya Gov. Edwin I. JubahibCertified Most Sustainable and Liveable Province266

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DISASTER PREPAREDNESS, RISK REDUCTION, CRISIS MANAGEMENT AND RESILIENCYINFRASTRUCTURE AND SERVICE CONNECTIVITY TO THE PUBLIC Davao del Norte is basically known as a typhoon-free province in previous years. However, the Dabaonon people had a terrible awakening to the sad reality of climate change when the province was hit by Super Typhoon Pablo in 2012. It hit them hard that suddenly they are no longer safe from extreme weather, being the new normal today. To minimize the impact of natural hazards, the Provincial Government mainstreamed the twin-fold disaster risk reducon and management-climate change adaptaon (DRRM-CCA) approach in all development planning and undertakings. The Province implemented a community-based disaster preparedness program which empowered residents, parcularly in vulnerable areas to be adequately prepared and able to build back beer during calamies. It strengthened its prevenon and migaon eorts to beer brace for and lessen the impact of emergencies. This earned the province back-to-back recognion as the Best Provincial Disaster Risk Reducon and Management Council in the Davao Region. Eventually, Davao del Norte clinched the highest 2022 Gawad Kalasag ‘Beyond Compliant’ Seal of Excellence in Disaster Risk Reducon and Management and Humanitarian Assistance. The Operaon Center of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reducon Management Oce (PDRRMO) is equipped with weather monitoring system and sophiscated system of water level monitoring that enable it to alert LGUs when to take pre-empve evacuaon. DRRM materials, weather monitoring, situaons reports, among other informaon, are published in the Ocial Website of the Province. Daily weather updates are being posted in ocial Facebook pages and aired through the provincial government-owned PTV-DavNor and DXNR-FM Radio 911. To provide permanent soluon to the damaging perennial oods in the province, Governor Jubahib launched the Oplan Canal program to widen and deepen drainage canals and desilt rivers and tributaries. Major oodings have since been minimized, saving the province hundreds of millions of pesos in damages to crops and properes, while easing the burden of tens of thousands of families aected by annual inundaons. The Jubahib administraon showed its capability in migang risks when the COVID-19 pandemic suddenly disrupted every aspect of human life. To protect his people, the governor launched the DavNor COVID-19 Informaon Management System (DCIMS), which bagged the Best in Government Covid-19 Pandemic Response Award. It was bolstered by his “No QR Code, No Transacon” policy in all public oces and business establishments. The Province spent over a billion for its pandemic response and recovery eorts. The governor put up over 1,200 isolaon rooms and helped facilitate the establishment of the COVID-19 Tesng Center in the province. He personally led three rounds of relief distribuon worth around half a billion pesos right at the doorsteps of over 370,000 Dabaonon families in 223 barangays. Davao del Norte further posted the highest vaccinaon rate in the Davao Region, with over 80 percent of the populaon inoculated with the rst dose of the an-COVID vaccine, along with 79 percent vaxxed with the second dose as of September 2022 alone. Strategically located at the heart of the Davao Region, Davao del Norte is 80.6 kilometers or about a 2-hour drive away from Davao City. The province has a total road network of 3,924.37 kilometers, with 21.40 % of which are classied as provincial roads (839.96 kilometers). The naonal roads account about 6.07 %, while city and municipal roads comprise 13.00 % and 7.62% respecvely. Providing access to the 223 barangays are 2,037.25 kilometers of barangay roads that make up 51.91% of the total roads in the province. The major external linkages of the province are mainly land-based, primarily consisng of naonal roads connecng Davao del Norte to the adjacent provinces of Davao de Oro, Bukidnon, Agusan del Sur, Davao Oriental and to the City of Davao. These include the Agusan-Davao Road, Surigao-Davao Coastal Road, Kapalong,Talaingod-Valencia, Bukidnon Road and Asuncion-Laak-Veruela, Agusan del Sur Road. The presence of highway facilies such as sidewalks, pedestrian refuge and crossings, waing sheds, lanes for non – motorized vehicles or intermediate modes of transport, center islands, safety and security facilies, street lights and other related facilies have made these major roads safer and gender-responsive. Cemenng and widening of major highways and thoroughfares in the province have moved to high gear with the recent conversion of 25 provincial and municipal roads into naonal roads. Access to the province will be bolstered by the start of the 45.5-kilometer Davao City Bypass Road Project with twin tunnel component that connects the province straight to Toril in Davao City, which reduces travel me by two hours to Digos City. The P1-billion 50-kilometer Bukidnon-DavNor-Agusan Road traversing the Pantaron Range will also lessen travel me by more than two hours, aside from giving beer access to the IPs. The Jubahib administraon complemented this with more than a dozen access roads in isolated areas worth P195 million to benet the IP communies. Aside from the billions worth of infrastructure projects that he implemented, Governor Jubahib completed dozens of kilometers more of access roads, which were le unnished by the previous administraons. The 1.625-kilometer Tagum City Flyover project that cost PHP2.7 billion has helped ease trac congeson on major thoroughfares in the ever-growing capital city of Tagum. Economic and tourism boom is also expected in the region’s Tourism Capital, the Island Garden City of Samal, once the Samal Island-Davao City (SIDC) Connector Bridge is completed in 2027, to serve a daily trac of at least 25,000 vehicles. Gov. Jubahib sustained the DavNor KAAGAPAY Program (KAwsa sa AGrikulturA ug PAnginabuhian sa barangaY), which he launched in 2020 to prevent hunger and social unrest that might result from the impending food crisis due to the pandemic. The program has now beneed more than 15,000 Dabaonon families. Backyard and communal vegetable farming gave farmers a combined income of over P64 million. Over 90,000 heads of organic chicken were also dispersed, enabling 825 People’s Organizaons (POs) to accrue a total income of more than P15 million. Through the Buy-Back Operaon, the Province connues to buy and market the produce of the beneciary families. Vulnerable families further received livelihood assistance from the KAAGAPAY-TUPAD program.Certified Most Sustainable and Liveable Province267

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MOBILITY FOR AFFORDABLE, ACCESSIBLE, AND SAFE TRANSPORT SYSTEM FOR ALLPUBLIC PROTECTION AND SAFETY Road signs and markings improve the safety of motorists and pedestrians. All barangays of the province can be reached by all types of vehicles. The public transport service in Davao del Norte is categorized into two, namely; a) within the LGU and b) touching the LGU. The dierent modes of transportaon include public ulity buses, jeepneys, public ulity vehicles, tricycles and motorcycle taxis (habal-habal). There are four inter provincial transport corridors in the province, namely: (a) Tagum-Kapalong-Talaingod-Bukidnon Road; (b) Asuncion-Laak-Veruela, Agusan del Sur Road; (c) Davao-Agusan Road; and (d) Surigao-Davao Coastal Road. There are nine bus terminals and 11 jeepney terminals used for dropping and collecng passengers in the province. Most of these terminals are protected by CCTVs and oer commercial spaces, male and female restrooms and passengers’ lounge, among other amenies. There are over 500 public ulity buses (PUBs) that ply and pass through seven routes within and traversing the province. Likewise, there are 170 public ulity jeepney/Filcab units that ply 10 routes within the province, while 61 more jeepneys travel three routes that cross the province. Some 314 public ulity vans (PUVs) ply in dierent routes within and passing the province. There are also 266 tricycles that pass across various inter-LGU routes within the province. These complement thousands of tricycles more within the respecve franchises of the LGUs. Far-ung areas with dicult terrains are further being served by 265 motorized taxis (habal-habal). The upcoming 102-km Mindanao Railway Project: Tagum-Davao-Digos (MRP-TDD) segment is expected to reduce travel me from Tagum City, Davao del Norte to Digos City, Davao del Sur by two hours once it starts operang supposedly in 2022. The P35.91 billion MRP-TDD is expected to make travel faster, safer, more convenient and comfortable for passengers in the said corridor. Three of the eight staons will be in Davao del Norte, which will be bolstered by a 10-hectare depot in Tagum City. The three private sea ports in Panabo City and Tagum City are the only exisng ports that provide external linkages for exportaon in the province. These ports are engaged in exporng agricultural products mainly bananas. Since the declaraon of Davao del Norte as an “Insurgency-Free” province last June 2022, it has remained relavely peaceful. The Philippine Army reported that there is no more NPA sighngs, zero recruitment and zero violent incidence by the rebels, as of this wring. The province connues to be at the forefront of sustaining the gains of the government’s campaign to end the local communist armed conict. Beer health services, including the Zero-Billing Program in all government hospitals alleviated the plight of the poor IPs. Dozens of new roads in isolated IP villages facilitated beer delivery of basic services and ease the transport of their produce to the market. Over 400 tribal housing projects restored the human dignity of the IP. Six distant tribal sios were provided with solar lighng and electricaon. Some 76 classrooms, four tribal halls, 11 water systems and one community health staon were also constructed in the cultural villages, complete with more livelihood opportunies for the IPs. The improved delivery of basic services eecvely addressed the root cause of the insurgency problem, as it has greatly improved the quality of life of the IPs. Hence, more rebels were enced to return to the folds of the government. To date, there are already over 3,000 NPAs and Milia ng Bayan members who surrendered to Governor Jubahib. Davao del Norte is among the very few provinces in the country which provide localized Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integraon Program (E-CLIP) to FRs, with the governor immediately providing them cash, shelter and livelihood assistance. With the success of the local peace eorts, the once dreaded NPA terrorist strongholds have turned into tourism desnaons, as tourism now thrives in the naturally-beauful highlands of Talaingod and Kapalong. More desnaons sprouted in the formerly GIDAs communies with essenal funds poured by the Province, through the P200-million Provincial Eco-Tourism Development Program. The governor is now leaving no stones unturned in sustaining the insurgency-free status of the province. This, while his administraon now shis its focus on other pressing issues, such as criminality and illegal drugs that remain a prevalent threat to public safety, security and stability. Under the Jubahib administraon, Davao del Norte sustained its prominence as among the most progressive provinces in Mindanao. Among the awards received by the province include: among others, the 2019 and 2022 Seals of Good Local Governance (SGLG), 2019 Most Business-Friendly (MBF) Province in the Philippines; 2022 Gawad Kalasag ‘Beyond Compliant’ Seal of Excellence in Disaster Risk Reducon and Management and Humanitarian Assistance; Overall 2nd Most Compeve Province in the Philippines in 2020 and 2021; and, consequently the Most Compeve Province in the Visayas and Mindanao Region in 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022.Certified Most Sustainable and Liveable Province268

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Certied Most Sustainable and Liveable CityCITY GOVERNMENT OF KIDAPAWAN, COTABATOAt the heart of Cotabato lies Kidapawan — a city tremendously blessed with natural beauty. Nestled at the foot of the majesc Mt. Apo, Kidapawan sits on ferle lands and is surrounded by lush forests that are energized by the abundant energy of the Mindanao sun. This is the wisdom and the inspiraon behind LUNTIAN KIDAPAWAN, which is the brainchild of the man who’s leading the charge and steering this transformaon for Kidapawan. He is the Captain of Lunan Kidapawan — our Mayor Ay. Jose Paolo Evangelista. Mayor Ay. Jose Paolo M. Evangelista, who’s fondly called “Ay. Pao” in Kidapawan City, is a rst-term city mayor brimming with idealism and enthusiasm. Ay. Pao’s primary advocacies are good governance and environmental preservaon and protecon so one could say that his core is as clean and green as the city he leads and lives in. He shares the same birth month as Kidapawan and at 33 years old, Ay. Pao is one of the youngest local chief execuves in the country. Unbeknownst to many, Ay. Pao studied nursing as his undergraduate degree before studying law and obtaining his Juris Doctor diploma at the Ateneo de Davao University. Aer successfully passing the bar exam and taking his oath as a lawyer, he joined the Ateneo de Davao University College of Law faculty and taught several law subjects such as Constuonal Law and Criminal Law from June 2014 unl May 2019. Ay. Pao’s innate passion for educaon and his professional experience as an educator has greatly inuenced his brand of governance and public service — smart, innovave, collaborave and inclusive. This brand of governance and service is clearly evident in the transformave changes he has implemented since the day he took his oath of oce. Lunan is more than just a color. It’s a philosophy, a way of living, a standard, a force and a movement all geared towards building our smart and sustainable future. ATTY. JOSE PAOLO M.EVANGELISTAMAYOR269

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In his rst few months as Mayor of Kidapawan, Ay. Pao has already made brave and transformave decisions, such as: prohibing the use of policians’ faces and names on government-iniated projects and acvies; shung down illegal cockpits; declaring war against illegal gambling; creang a gratuity fund for rerement pay of all job order workers; digitalizing access to emergency health services; strengthening people’s organizaons in governance through grassroots development; promong sustainable agricultural pracces, such as beekeeping and the use of organic ferlizers; democrazing the budgeng process; establishing the rst-ever plasc recycling plant in the enre Province of Cotabato; installing GPS and fuel-monitoring devices on all heavy equipment and machinery used by the City saving 60% on fuel costs, and other ongoing iniaves and projects. LUNTIAN KIDAPAWAN is the banner program which encapsulates all of these iniaves and projects that are primarily anchored in his core advocacies of good governance and environmental preservaon and protecon.ENERGY EFFICIENCY Ay. Pao has issued the following policies pursuant to The Energy Eciency and Conservaon Act in order to bolster the city’s eciency and sustainability campaign:1. Execuve Order No. 027 is an order establishing the Kidapawan City Energy Eciency and Conservaon Oce, designang the Energy Eciency and Conservaon Ocer and Energy Eciency and Conservaon Focal Persons, and providing for their dues and responsibilies;2. Memorandum No. 1989 is a memorandum direcng all Department Managers to submit through the City Administrator the Weekly Fuel Consumpon Ledger;3. Administrave Order No. 03 is an order instuonalizing a Car Pool System in all City Government Oces, providing for a mechanism to save on fuel, and other related purposes; 4. Execuve Order No. 014 is an order direcng the Digitalizaon of the City Government’s Fuel Use through the installaon of Global Posion System (GPS) and Fuel-Saving Devices on all heavy equipment and machineries owned and operated by the City Government of Kidapawan, declaring a policy of transparency in the use of the people’s fuel, and providing monitoring mechanisms.Certified Most Sustainable and Liveable City270

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With Ay. Pao’s strong leadership, the Local Energy Eciency and Conservaon Plan was craed in collaboraon with the leaders and members of the Kidapawan City Energy Eciency and Conservaon Oce. The LEECP is a collaborave and mul-stakeholder comprehensive framework or governance structure, which outlines the programs prepared by the LGU for local energy eciency and conservaon, and denes targets, feasible strategies, and establishes the conduct of regular monitoring and evaluaon acvies. The LEECP also denes the judicious and ecient ulizaon of energy resources through the adopon of cost-eecve opons such as ecient operaons and maintenance pracces, the introducon of green technologies, and the idencaon of a comprehensive approach through educaon to modify employees’ behavior, among others. Furthermore, the LEECP also aims to address the three core dimensions of the energy “trilemma”: energy aordability and access, energy security, and environmental sustainability. The measures outlined in the LEECP are divided into three categories: Immediate, Mid-Range, and Long-Range measures which are all acve and in various stages of implementaon. These policies and measures enable the sharing and reinforcement of best pracces to meet the energy eciency and conservaon goals of Kidapawan City. And in the short me since the start of implementaon of the Plan, Kidapawan City has already been recognized by the Department of Energy. Kidapawan City was conferred with the honor of winning the 2022 Energy Eciency Excellence Awards for Government: Local Government Units Category — the only city LGU awardee. The DOE highlighted the City’s energy eciency eorts and best pracces such as the ecient use of air-condioning units, computers, lighng, and refrigeraon equipment, installaon of LED light bulbs and solar street lights and the use of GPS trackers to monitor public vehicle trip routes and fuel consumpon which enabled the City to achieve 17,805.86 kWh electricity consumpon savings and 56,822.03 liters of fuel consumpon savings in 2022. The latest available DOE Energy Audit Report in December 2022 also cered that the City Government of Kidapawan was able to achieve a 93.8% compliance rang with the Government Energy Management Program. We’re already winning on energy savings and it’s only the beginning! In August of 2022, Ay. Pao inaugurated Kidapawan City’s own “waste-to-bricks” recycling facility to boost its solid waste management program. This plasc recycling facility located in Barangay Magsaysay is managed by the City Environment and Natural Resources Oce (CENRO) and is also the rst of its kind in the Province of Cotabato. 2023 marks Kidapawan City’s 25th Charter Day Anniversary and to commemorate this milestone in the City’s history, Ay. Pao and the City Government of Kidapawan launched the CANOPY ’25 Forest-Growing Project which aims to plant 2.5 million trees within the next 1-2 years. This project is both historic and symbolic as it united and galvanized all stakeholders and sectors in the city — leaders and members of government agencies, the academe, church and religious organizaons, business enes, people’s organizaons, environmental protecon groups and advocates and other NGOs and private cizens — to the cause of protecng the environment and saving future generaons. This is a cause Ay. Pao fully supports and wholeheartedly believes in. Under Kidapawan City’s solid waste recycling program, the local government will buy recyclable waste such as plasc boles, paper, polystyrene containers, and the like from its partner establishments and local enes. The collected waste will then be sorted and prepared for processing in the facility. The recycling process involves the crushing and melng of these waste materials which will be mixed with gravel to produce bricks. These bricks can then be used for the city’s construcon projects. Ay. Pao believes that this process of successfully turning waste into bricks is a clear demonstraon of how recycling can help us build circular systems and infrastructures that reduce and eliminate waste which are necessary in building our sustainable communies. SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENTCANOPY ’25 Certified Most Sustainable and Liveable City271

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Advancing the People’s Organizaons of Kidapawan through Innovaons and Development of Social Capital APOKIDS is a program focused on the empowerment of people’s organizaons that was instuonalized into the Civil Society Development Unit of Kidapawan under the visionary leadership of Mayor Ay. Jose Paolo Evangelista. APOKIDS was born out of Ay. Pao’s belief that the main and primary task of government is to give the people the best ghng chance to realize their dreams and aspiraons in life. But this, he says, does not mean that the government will realize their dreams for them. Ay. Pao emphasizes, “Being the dreamers themselves, our people are more than capable of realizing their dreams if given the proper environment to thrive in. This is where we come in. This is why the process of empowerment is important because it ensures sustainability and self-reliance. It ensures independence and freedom, not only from the shackles of poverty, but more importantly, from the persistent inuence of tradional polics and patronage.” Ay. Pao believes that we should empower our people to chart their own desnies and enable them to journey towards their aspiraons. This is the inspiraon behind the APOKIDS Program. The APOKIDS Program is divided into 3 strategic phases. Phase 1 involves organizaonal assessment and diagnosis. Phase 2 focuses on the formulaon and formaon of organizaonal strategies. Finally, Phase 3 centers on livelihood development planning and community savings mobilizaon. Our trained facilitators guide the parcipants in each phase of the Program. The Program recognizes the crucial role of people’s organizaons in community and naon-building. It aims to strengthen these people’s organizaons as acve partners for sustainable development by forfying their organizaonal structure, facilitang requisite skills training, providing access to support services and nancial resources from local, naonal, and internaonal agencies and instuons, and establishing market linkages. Through these intervenons, the Program aims to support these people’s organizaons to become nancially stable, self-sucient, resilient, and sustainable. Last December 10, 2022, Ay. Pao along with the APOKIDS team successfully hosted the PAKIGLAMBIGIT 2022: People’s Organizaon Livelihood Summit in Kidapawan City. During the summit, our current 23 partner people’s organizaons were able to connect with leaders and representaves from mulple local, regional, and naonal government agencies to discuss and explore future synergies that may boost and benet their organizaons and their members. When asked about his dream for Kidapawan, Ay Pao. sincerely reiterates: With brave and visionary leaders like our Captain, Ay. Paolo Evangelista, we have absolute condence that for Kidapawan and our people, and for everyone — the future is sustainable and LUNTIAN. “My dream for Kidapawan is to give our people — the Kidapaweños — the best opportunities and the best Fighting chance in achieving their dreams and aspirations in life and to build a clean, green and sustainable Kidapawan.”THE DREAM Certified Most Sustainable and Liveable City272

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Certied Most Sustainable and Liveable CityZAMBOANGA CITYZamboanga City is known for many icons: there’s the Spanish-creole language of Chavacano that’s romanc-sounding to some people; the annual Fiesta Pilar celebraon honoring its patron saint Nuestra Señora de la Virgen del Pilar that is enshrined at the city’s Fort Pilar; the mul-cultural cuisine featuring the Curacha; and the ne, pink sands of Sta. Cruz Island which was adjudged as one of Naonal Geographic’s Top 21 Best Beaches of the World. Being the third largest city in terms of land area in the country, it is also known as the Sardines Capital of the Philippines due to the bounes of the deep, blue sea. Among other things, Zamboanga is known for: • Center of Sustainable Agri-Fishery Industry of the Philippines (RDC Resoluon No. 111 of 2022) • Part of the East Borneo Economic Corridors (EBEC) Center of Barter Trade• Mariculture and Trade Center of Western Mindanao Zamboanga is vibrant, colorful, and resilient. Zamboanga City stands unique, balancing culture and a long history with a forward-thinking mindset and development eorts geared towards progress and development. Recognized as the Most Improved LGU by the NCC in 2017, it is home to a fast-growing and diverse populaon of 977,234 people. Located at the southernmost p of the Zamboanga Peninsula, it is the feeder city to several island provinces such as Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi and the neighboring provinces of Zamboanga del Sur and del Norte. Zamboanga is the gateway to the Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area polygon. It is a vital link to the region’s transshipment chain. Despite all of her charms, Zamboanga City is facing an excing era of change and development. These are the plans for the Ciudad de Zamboanga. HON. JOHN M. DALIPECITY MAYOR273

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THE DALIPE AGENDA INVESTMENT PROMOTION INITIATIVES• Creaon of new high schools in Arena Blanco and Tumaga is on the mayor’s list of tasks. The creaon of new high schools in the city is of paramount importance to make certain that access to educaon is viable for all, and that Zamboangueños remain academically compeve in school and in the job market.”• On April 19, 2023, the Malacañang Palace ordered a moratorium on the transfer of naonal government oces from Zamboanga City to Pagadian City through Memorandum Circular No. 18 signed by Execuve Secretary Lucas Bersamin upon the authority of the President. The temporary suspension of the transfer provided an opportunity for aected agencies to re-assess the juscaons for, as well as the implicaons of the transfer of the regional oces to Pagadian City. The Investment Code of 2023 or beer known as the Investment Priority Plan establishes the investment priority areas and investment incenves policy for 2023-2025 with the objecve of smulang local economic growth. Moreover, the plan reduced the total project cost qualicaons for the granng of scal incenves to businesses and enterprises to Php 3Million, and for agribusinesses, Php 1Million in order to include small and medium enterprises in the coverage.Certified Most Sustainable and Liveable City274

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PEACE AND JUSTICECOMPREHENSIVE LAND USE PLAN EMPLOYMENT AGRICULTURE AND VETERINARY SERVICESGOOD HOUSEKEEPING INITIATIVES ENVIRONMENT• For the establishment of peace, jusce, and strong instuons, Zamboanga City was recently idened as the rst-ever tracking-free Jusce Zone by the Jusce Sector Coordinang Council (JSCC). The Jusce Zone project adheres to its objecve of a swi and fair administraon of the criminal jusce system. It is established to strengthen the coordinaon and communicaon among the principal agencies of the JSCC by serving as a venue and a mechanism for communicaon, principled cooperaon, and studied coordinaon with great deference to instuonal independence.• Zamboanga’s police force is recognized as the Best Police Oce in the Philippines in 2021. The Zamboanga Peninsula is also declared as Insurgency-Free and Development Ready.• The City’s Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP) 2016-2025 was approved by the Department of Human Selements and Urban Development (DHSUD) last 2021 to pave the way to maximize land resources in cognizance of the needs of the various sectors of the populaon.• The city’s CLUP emphasizes open and green spaces as a component of sustainable and livable cies. Zamboanga City was a recipient of a P74M grant under the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Green, Green, Green Program for the development and improvement of its public open spaces. The city’s project proposed the improvement and connecon of its open spaces in three idened areas – the waterfront city zone in RT Lim Boulevard and the Paseo del Mar, the heritage city zone, which includes the CBD along with the mini-parks in the area, and the eco-city zone, which includes the Pasonanca and Abong-Abong areas.• Live proceedings of Bids and Awards Commiee (BAC) meengs were implemented upon the assumpon of Mayor John Dalipe for purposes of transparency. • The mely disbursement of salaries for all local government employees was administered to encourage the highest delivery of frontline services to the transacng public. • The digitalizaon of permits and licenses shall be rolled out for eciency and to accommodate the increasing number of applicants annually. • In consonance with the An-Red Tape Advocacy, the implementaon of ISO QMS 9001:2015 and accreditaon is being pursued. The implementaon measures shall take eect within 2023. The target for accreditaon is the rst semester of 2024. • As for ease of doing business, it takes only 1 day for business permits to be processed with the presence of the Business One Stop Shop (BOSS) and the Bayad Center in SM Mindpro. For 2022, a total of 14,380 business permits were processed. This serves as an indicator of the thriving local economy and Zamboanga’s business readiness.• The 1 Million Trees Program is a connuous tree planng program aligned with Earth Day’s theme “Invest In Our Planet”. A total of 2,000 seedlings were planted in Pasonanca as of date consisng of Nato, Narra, and Palo Maria variees. • Residents are encouraged to weigh in dry plasc for rice in the Plasc for Rice program as part of the Justo y Decente Ayuda na Barangay. The program encourages residents of all ages to avail of a kilo of rice for every two kilos of plasc gathered and weighed. It is one of the strategies idened to promote environmental protecon and waste reducon. It further inspires Zamboangueños to reduce the use of plascs, maintain cleanliness, and responsibly dispose of dierent kinds of plasc. • One of the City’s iniave is undertaking in mangrove reforestaon, protecon and conservaon project, as a proacve approach to a more sustainable development. A brave step to act locally while thinking and joining the ght global issues specically climate change. This iniave of the City with its collaboraon with private companies and other organizaons allows the City to access other resources and experse that would benet not only the present generaon but also the next generaons of Zamboangueños to experience beer and climate resilient city. This is one of the City’s proacve approaches to a resilient City.• Instuonalizaon of the Public Employment Services Oce (PESO) has provided access to constuents to labor market informaon, referral and placement services, and employment and career coaching services.• Numerous job fairs were conducted throughout the year resulng in 11,966 applicaons, and 3,900 individuals nding employment. Moreover, 600 people beneed from the Cash for Work Program.• The city has subsidized the price of palay purchased from farmers, increasing the price paid to farmers from P19 per kilo to P24 pesos per kilo. The Naonal Food Authority pays 19 pesos while the city pays for the addional 5 pesos per kilo of Palay. This is much higher than what they are paid in other cies.• Php 2.2 Million Cash Assistance for hog raisers aected by the African Swine Fever through the City Veterinarian’s Oce was disbursed under the program Assistance in Crisis Situaon of the City Social Welfare and Development Oce (CSWDO) and Tupad Panghanapbuhay sa Ang Disadvantaged (TUPAD) Workers Program of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE). • The City Veterinary Clinical and Animal Disease Diagnosc Laboratory is now under construcon to serve all pet owners and animal lovers. • Registry System for Basic Sector in Agriculture which resulted in the registraon of over 6,700 farmers. This will help the LGU to address the needs of the farmers in the city.Certified Most Sustainable and Liveable City275

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INFRASTRUCTURE HEALTHTOURISM AND INVESTMENTTRANSPORTATION JUSTO Y DECENTE (JD) AYUDA NA BARANGAY PROGRAMS • In order to smulate accessibility, the mayor connued opening new roads and building more bridges. The bypass road shall help decongest the trac issues in the Central Business District, and encourage development along the bypass road area from Culianan to Sinubong. • The rst yover project in Zamboanga City began construcon in September 2022 and shall be completed by 2023. It oers an alternave route from the Governor Camins Intersecon to Veterans Avenue and MCLL Tetuan Highway. • Mayor John Dalipe has taken it upon himself to push through with the Relocaon of the Zamboanga City Hall to provide beer services to the transacng public as well as for the relief of the LGU’s employees. • The Dalipe tandem is lobbying for the transfer of the Zamboanga City Internaonal Airport. Php 720 million addional budget allocaon for the project’s land acquision has been released on May 6, 2023, by the Naonal Government through the Department of Transportaon to the Zamboanga City Local Government.• The mayor also takes the lead in the materializaon of the drainage project to address the ooding issue in the city by proposing the compleon of a feasibility study to address the threat that may occur in the future. • Because the government’s money is the people’s money, Mayor John was able to bring the services closer to the people in both districts of the city such as free legal counseling, medical, dental, free civil registrar assistance, free booster shots with 5 kilos rice, free haircut, blood donaon, and other forms of social services such as burial, medical and nancial assistance. • The vaccinaon and booster rates increased with the help of xed vaccinaon sites at health centers, malls, and even night markets. • 5-kilo rice incenve for vaccinaon for all Zamboangueños received an overwhelming response, aiding in the prevenon of another surge in the city. • The construcon of the Mega Health Center in barangay Sangali which is now halfway to compleon will give way to a beer Health Care System in Sangali District. Plans are also underway for the creaon of other Mega Health Centers in Manicahan and Talon-Talon, with the lots for this project already purchased by the city government.• Zamboanga City is poised to be a Meeng, Incenves, Conference and Exhibion (MICE) Desnaon. By holding summits and events in the city, the tourism and hospitality sector shall have connuous growth and development. • Aer 13 years, the Regional Private Schools Athlec Associaon (PRISAA) was conducted in Zamboanga City in April 2023. The city won the bid to host the naonal PRISAA games for July 2023. • Locals were excited as the city’s famed natural swimming pools reopened on November 2022. The pools were repaired under the mayor’s instrucons. The Pasonanca pools’ reopening helped to introduce economic acvity in the area. As a highly-urbanized city (HUC) and the region’s hub of trade, commerce and industry, transportaon, and health, ensuring inclusive and sustainable development for all is of primordial concern to the local government of Zamboanga City. In his State of the City Address (SOCA) 2023, Mayor John Dalipe called for the people to work with him in raising Zamboanga City to greater heights. “With your help and with the grace of the Almighty, it can be done,” Mayor John Dalipe said. “With your help and with the grace of the Almighty, it can be done.” - Mayor John Dalipe • Through a commiee, the Integrated Bus Terminal (IBT) connues to discuss improvements for the comfort of travelers. This includes the possible installaon of air-condioning units in the departure areas and approval of new tenants providing goods and services for commercial spaces. • For a more sustainable transport system, the city conducted a series of consultaons upon the request of Transport Sectors for the proposal of new routes, or the Local Public Transport Route Plan (LPRP). The City is also taking steps to transion more sustainable jeepney units to eco-friendlier opons for reducing the City’s carbon footprint. As it is the vital transportaon network in the city, transion jeepneys are crucial as well for improving the city’s environmental sustainability.• The importance of buses from the east and west coast are being eyed, thus the materializaon of mely and dependable bus routes plying the coastal roads is being proposed. • To bale overcharging when it comes to fares, the mayor has proposed to pursue partnerships with ride apps to ensure safety and fair pricing for commuters and commercial drivers. GAD PROGRAMS To ensure the promoon of gender equality, empowerment and inclusivity, Zamboanga City has in place its Gender and Development (GAD) Code through City Ordinance 580 and the Comprehensive An-Discriminaon Ordinance through Ordinance 543. These local laws further strengthen the gender mainstreaming eorts to ensure that all government-led programs, projects and acvies are gender-sensive and gender-responsive. Moreover, Gender and Development (GAD) is a mandatory component of the orientaon program for incoming and promoted employees of the local government.Certified Most Sustainable and Liveable City276

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Certied Most Sustainable and Liveable CityTOLEDO CITY, PROVINCE OF CEBUYou can tell how progressive a city is by just looking at its formaon. Every structure built in the city represents the aainment of a goal—a goal that Toledo City is aiming to be: the center for compeve trade and industry, quality educaon, and tourism on the west coast of Cebu. In the present me, Toledo is working its way towards improvement, as evident by the mushrooming of establishments, road openings, infrastructure, and certainly the elevaon of living standards. Being the only city in Cebu Province to be located on the Western Seaboard and facing Negros Oriental is one of Toledo’s disncve aracons. Auld lang syne, this city turned out so well, from services to infrastructure and opportunies for livelihood, making it more remarkable than ever. Without a doubt, it is far greater than before. Due to its unique economic streams, Toledo is well recognized throughout the province. JOYFUL CITY OF TOLEDO The city’s primary businesses are shing, farming, commerce, and mining. The largest copper mine in the Philippines is run by Carmen Copper Corporaon. The 340 MW Toledo power plant is run by Therma Visayas, Inc. in Brgy. Bato, Toledo City, Cebu. The leading independent power producer in the Visayas is Global Business Power, which is in Brgy. Daanlungsod, Toledo City, Cebu. The rst ferlizer rm in the Philippines and the country’s oldest connuously funconing ferlizer company—Atlas Ferlizer Corporaon—is situated in Brgy. Sangi, Toledo City, Cebu. The developer and operator of power generaon facilies from a diversied mix of renewable energy, wood pellets and wood chip producon from energy biomass plantaons, and total water soluons in Toledo—Cicore that is located in Brgy. Talavera. These ve thumping companies have helped the city be more escalang. By the fact that these are the biggest tax contributors.HON. MARJORIE P. PERALESCITY MAYOR277

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Here are some farm-to-market road projects: (pics of FMR)1. Road Improvement and Widening in Brgy. Subayon-Awihao-Bato2. Road Opening, Improvement and Concreng in Sio Casoy Apid-Cantabaco 3. Pavement Resurfacing in Brgy. Ilihan Road Entrance going to Toledo City Hall4. Road Concreng in Sio Minolos Brgy. Matab-ang5. Pavement Resurfacing @ DAS Access Road from Naonal Highway6. Road Concreng in Sio Katera, Brgy. Cabitoonan7. Road Concreng at Hinulawan, Brgy. Poblacion8. Road Reblocking and Pavement Resurfacing from Trocio St., Magsaysay St. to Libre St.9. Road Concreng from Cebu Technological University to Sangi Naonal Road10. Road Opening and Widening from Proper Casoy to New Bucao, Brgy. General Climaco11. Road Opening from Naonal Road to Sio Katera, Brgy. Cabitoonan12. Road Concreng in Brgy. Pung Bato13. Road Reblocking and Pavement Resurfacing from Libre St. to Nillas St.14. Road Improvement/Road Reblocking/Resurfacing in Brgy. Sangi Juncon to Sangi Beach Road15. Road Improvement/Concreng in Sio Bulahan, Brgy. Carmen16. Road Concreng in Brgy. Daanlungsod: Beach to Boulevard17. Road Widening/Opening in Brgy. Daanlungsod: Beach to Lawis Boulevard18. Road Opening/Improvement/Concreng from Brgy. Magdugo to Brgy. LandahanGIST OF INFRASTRUCTURES IN THE CITY The surroundings have a big impact on how we conduct our daily acvies. The standard of the public realm, which includes the streets, buildings, and leisure places, greatly inuences how people collaborate, behave, and view the wider world. Cizens are desned to feel less protected and more worried in a city where the majority of the buildings are let to collapse and the streets are inadequately lit—hence, this city ensures both quality and quanty. As you stroll around Toledo City, you may see various of newly built establishments for business, for recreaonal acvies, and importantly, for tourism.Certified Most Sustainable and Liveable City279

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TOLEDO SPORTS CENTERThis is a 12,000 square meter center that houses two (2) FIFA-standard size playing facilies:OUTDOOR PLAYING FIELDIndoor gymnasium, and dedicated facilies such asRooms for teams, clubs, and sporng organizaonsRooms for seminars and workshops or discussion training.Shower roomsLockers for playersSENIOR CITIZEN BUILDINGThis is a three-storey building that serves as a home to Senior Cizens, being it their main oce. This will also house dierent oces such as the CSWDO, PDAO and CDRRMO. Plus, commercial possibilies located on the ground oor.EXPANSION OF TOLEDO SPORTS CENTER- TENNIS COURT, BADMINTON COURT, SPORTS OVAL, GRANDSTAND AND OLYMPIC SIZE SWIMMING POOLCity Mayor Marjorie Perales is also focused on booming Sports Tourism in Toledo. Which is why she is strongly pushing this project to happen swily.PUBLIC MARKETThe dilapidated public market which is situated near the port will be demolished and transferred soon at the old Land Transportaon Terminal in Brgy. Poblacion, where everyone is thrilled since this is a two-storey structure that has undergone extensive renovaons and is oriented to maximize the view of the West Coast.This will house several secon stalls like fruits and vegetables, grains and rice, meat, wet, dried, egg, salted sh, “poso” vendor, bakeries, remiances, comfort rooms, general merchandise, ornamental plants, food stalls, lease spaces, gadget stalls, lechon stalls, with the provision of elevators and escalators for ecient shopping.LAND TRANSPORTATION TERMINAL Like the Public Market, the terminal will also be transferred to Brgy. Sangi with a total lot area of approximately 1.2 hectares, in which 570sqm will be intended for the two-storey commercial building, and the rest will be for the vehicle terminal and other facilies. THE SENIOR CITIZEN AND CHILDREN’S PARKThis is situated in the Central Business District of the city in Brgy. Poblacion. The proposed park is adjacent to the Museo Toledo block where the exisng park and museum are placed. This expands the area for public open spaces which is a vital component for dense and fast developing barangays. The project is already commencing the procurement process.THE ESSENCE OF STREETLIGHTS AROUND TOLEDO CITYWhat’s the use of grandiose premises if the city doesn’t value the safety of the people, especially at night? Installing streetlights in Toledo makes the city more aracve and safer to roam.SPORTS TOURISM Another fact about the city mayor in Toledo, as she went to dierent places around Philippines, she realized one thing—importance of Sports Tourism. Yes! Like all the residents of Toledo, she is also thrilled and excited to see the actual outcome of the extension of the Sports Center. As to her, and to all city ocials, they really want TOLEDO CITY to host any sports acvies, both private and public; local, naonal, and internaonal.Certified Most Sustainable and Liveable City280

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Certied Most Sustainable and Liveable CityCITY OF TAYABAS: EVERY SERVICE DELIVERED. ALL FOR THE PEOPLEREDUCED INEQUALITIESDecreased social disparies among Tayabas City residents. The living circumstances of families are the most overt socioeconomic disparity. The City Government’s rst aim is to provide access to high-quality educaon for the poor, whose meager nancial resources frequently prevent it. As a result, in addion to the founding of City College of Tayabas, the social assistance program known as Dagdag-Baon eases the nancial burden of poor families sending their children to school by covering poron of the cost of daily allowance and school supplies. Also, the local government places a high priority on Learners with Special Needs (LSENS). With the Adopt-A-Community Program, LGU Tayabas partnered with the private sector that built Classhome for Learners with Special Needs in order to address the parcular needs. Three SPED classhomes are currently available, one each at East Palale Elementary School, Tayabas East Central School, and Calumpang Elementary School. And to keep up with modern teaching methods and advanced technology, Tayabas’ city government is rolling out free public WiFi throughout the enre city to provide students access to the internet for free so they may do virtual research or complete online coursework. Equal employment opportunies also take precedence. In fact, Tayabas City’s local government alone employs seventeen (17) people with disabilies (PWD) on a permanent basis. Eleven are women, and six are men. Some disabled but producve persons are in the private sector, either as employees or business owners.HON. LOVELYREYNOSO-PONTIOSOCITY MAYOR281

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Tayabas is the “Cradle of Water Source.” Rivers, deep wells, lagoon and tropical rain.CLEAN WATER AND SANITATIONDiverse employment opportunies. Sustained economic acvies.DECENT WORK AND ECONOMIC GROWTH Across all of these sources, holisc resource management is pracced to guarantee clean water and sanitary condions. The local government is charged with the important task of educang the public about the signicance of rivers and other water bodies. The goal of the extensive river protecon and management informaon and educaon campaign is to develop discipline in all cizens, parcularly those who live near rivers and other bodies of water. In support of the Philippine Clean Water Act, the city acvely parcipated in the Manila Bay Clean Up Rehabilitaon and Preservaon Program and Iyam-Dumacaa River System-Water Quality Management Area. Tons of garbage are being gathered every me there is a river cleanup, especially in the Alitao, Dumacaa, and Ibiya Rivers. Each year, eight (8) river cleanup events are held on average. Through its Environment and Natural Resources Oce, the City of Tayabas urged all pares, parcularly business owners, to abide by the rules of the Philippine Clean Water Act. To support the cause, the City ENRO hosted the RA 9275 PCWA and Other Environmental Laws Workshop in 2022 for owners and operators of poultry and pig farms, resorts and hotels, restaurants, manufacturing establishments, and facilies classied as “with hazard” like health facilies, funeral homes, gas relling plants, and commercial centers. Furthermore, the planned adopon of an ordinance by the Sangguniang Panlungsod that implements a proper sewage treatment and septage management system will complement the city’s environmental protecon iniaves. As a result of all these, the naonal government has taken note of the City of Tayabas’ iniaves to promote clean water and sanitaon. The city received a Planum Award plus a 150,000 cash reward from DILG-Calabarzon in 2022 in honor of receiving a 91.94% score on the LGU Compliance Assessment for the Manila Bay Clean-up, Rehabilitaon and Preservaon Program. Retail is the most dominant industry in Tayabas City. The majority of these merchants are food vendors, “sari-sari store” proprietors, and mobile sellers of plasc goods, household goods, apparel, and necessies. The goal of the city government is to support this group of businesspeople, hence a program called “Dagdag-Puhunan” for self-employment assistance is in existence to enable capital loans for microenterprises at 0% interest. The program has provided 714 self-employed individuals with addional capital assistance totaling more than Php3,200,000.00. Diverse employment opportunies are made available to the Tayabas’ qualied workforce via Job Fairs and e-up. Principals like fast food giants, restaurants, service-oriented businesses and government instuons are the forerunners of job placements for the locals.Certified Most Sustainable and Liveable City282

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To encourage breaseeding, the city maintains its own Lactaon Hub. The city hosts forums for nursing women in order to accomplish the goal of promong breaseeding. Numerous health and wellness programs, such as Sweet-Hearts Club, Primary Eye Care Program, 120 Days Supplementary Feeding Program, Family Planning Service and Programming, Adolescent Health & Development Program, Newborn Screening Program, Maternal Health Services, Basic Oral Health Care, and Tutok Kainan-180 Days Dietary Supplementaon Feeding Program, Mental Health Wellness are oered to the general public free of charge in an eort to ensure the total well-being of the local populaon. The local government is also implemenng intervenons to support healthy lifestyles in the form of forums, orientaon seminars, and workshops like Health and Wellness Program for Public Workers and Cancer Awareness Symposium to increase knowledge on early detecon of lifestyle diseases are a few of these. Tayabas City takes pride in oering its residents the best health programs and services. The recent designaon of 16 Barangay Health Staons as Level 1 Adolescent-Friendly Health Facilies is proof of that. Last but not least, SERBISYONG REYNOSO ILALAPIT SA INYO CARAVAN is a successful iniave to ensure the wellbeing of all people, including those who reside in remote areas of the city. The current administraon is aware of how cooperaves help its members ourish economically. The local government spent money on iniaves to help the major cooperaves build up their capital, which will enable them to provide their members more services. The Ilasan Mul-Purpose Cooperave was just given a Php1,500,000 Cooperave Capital Support. Though a component city, Tayabas is generally an agricultural locality. It is the administraon’s commitment to ensure food-suciency. That is why strong support to the agricultural sector is a priority. Tilapia ngerlings, cale, carabao, poultry, pigs and other livestock are provided to farmers as dole-outs. Aside from technical trainings, farm machineries and supplements are also supplied as a form of technological support by the local government and partner agencies. It is the city’s advocacy to provide the best support for fast food restaurants, hospitals, oil mills, traders and distribuon centers, construcon and hardware, hotels and resorts, specialty restaurants, and food manufacturers, all of which contribute signicantly to job creaon and economic smulaon. The City Government of Tayabas has likewise embarked on employing Job Order Wage Earners into regular employees. Hundreds of recently promoted, freshly employed, and former Job Orders took their oaths as permanent employees in recent years. Every part of the city has seen a noceable increase in the construcon of commercial structures. The local government also took the risk of building the Tayabas Satellite Market and Transport Terminal, which would be made available for leasing to investors and business owners. The LGU also runs shared-service facilies that are ouied with machinery and food processing equipment to serve as a plaorm for trainings and seminars on livelihood for the members of various organizaons. The Tayabas First 1000 Days of Life Program (T1K), an iniave of the local government, educates pregnant women on proper prenatal care and encourages them to maintain physical tness so that both the mother and the unborn child will be healthy. During the Buns Congress, parcipants get “Buns Kits,” which are complete ouits for infants from head to toe.GOOD HEALTH AND WELL-BEINGThe administraon’s plaorm on good health and wellbeing encompasses the full cycle of life.Certified Most Sustainable and Liveable City283

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The Mobile Laboratory Clinic is used to provide the residents of the barrio with services including health advice and tests. Paents can get laboratory services including full blood chemistry, complete blood count with platelets, urinalysis/fecalysis, dengue NS1 test, hepas B angen test, and pregnancy test, as well as diagnosc services like X-ray, ECG, and ultrasound. Peace, Jusce and Strong Instuon share the centerstage among the priories of the current administraon. As proof, Tayabas City recently received a number of honors, including the Top 8 Most Improved Component City in the Cies and Municipalies Compeveness Index (CMCI) Summit, Outstanding An-Drug Abuse Council, Funconal Sub-Naonal Peace and Order Council, Lupong Tagapamayapa Incenves Awards (LTIA) Provincial Winner, Community and Service-Oriented Policing (CSOP) System Implementor Award, Gawad Kalasag Seal of Excellence, Green Banner Seal of Compliance, as well as Outstanding Subaybayani LGU in Calabarzon, among many others. The city is home to the PNP Regional Training Center Calabarzon, whose vice chair of the advisory group was Mayor Lovely Reynoso-Ponoso. There are plans for the construcon of a New Jail Facility and a government center that houses among others the local oce of the Department of Foreign Aairs and NAPOLCOM. These milestones solidied the sustainability and livability of Tayabas City.PEACE, JUSTICE AND STRONG INSTITUTIONSPeople living in a peaceful community with strong instuonal support.Certified Most Sustainable and Liveable City284

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Certied Most Sustainable and Liveable CityCITY OF SAN JOSE DEL MONTE, BULACANThe Local Government of the Rising City of San Jose del Monte connues to provide accessible and sustainable quality services that complements to the ever-growing needs of every San Joseño. As the Balcony of the Metropolis, the City of San Jose del Monte faces several challenges that come with rapid populaon growth and the city government is resilient to develop dierent projects and programs addressing the growing needs of its constuents. From the plans made under the leadership of the visionary mayor, Honorable Arturo B. Robes, leads the delivery of quality public service to the people leading the City of San Jose del Monte into a new city of desnaon. In the year 2021, while the world sll experiences the global COVID-19 pandemic, the provision of basic essenal services was made easy by the exisng infrastructure projects. Together with the enhancement of public service delivery, the establishment of the previous infrastructure projects proved another signicant success in exhibing their importance in the City’s bale against COVID-19 and in extent, achieving a sustainable and livable city.PRODUCTIVITY CENTER: A HAVEN OF PRODUCTIVE AND SUSTAINABLE SERVICES Located at Barangay Sapang Palay Proper, easily accessible to the 59 Barangays of the City, is the Producvity Center. A government compound that is home to dierent front-line services of the local government. From the scholarship program of the City Youth and Sports Development Oce, assistance to cooperaves through the City Cooperave and Development Oce, local and internaonal job-related assistance for every resident provided by the Public Employment Service Oce, and to the services oered by the City Agriculture Oce to our local farmer, the Producvity Center is designed to be packed with the essenal services for the people.HON. ARTURO B. ROBESCITY MAYOR285

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The rst Veterinary Hospital operated and managed by a local government in the Philippines, providing free and holisc veterinary medical care to esmated 70,000 pets and other animals annually can be found at the Producvity Center. City of San Jose del Monte - Veterinary Hospital improves its services through the procurement of brand-new medical equipment which enables them to oer free laboratory tests, radiology services, and minor surgeries that are exclusive for the registered pets of every San Joseños. The hospital, managed by the City Veterinary Oce, is implemenng a two-way strategy of controlling the populaon of pets through the conduct of all year round neutering and spaying services, and connuous capability training of paraveterinary workers to aend to the needs of animals in every barangay. And despite the pandemic, these services by the City Veterinary Oce together with the City Veterinary Hospital, connues to provide healthcare and maintain the general welfare of every San Joseño pets. On the other hand, towards a safe and disaster resilient community, the city government also established and connuously improve the City Disaster Risk Reducon and Management Oce (CDRRMO) Command Center Building that is capable of 24/7 Weather Monitoring, Early Warning System, Radio Communicaons and Dispatch System, and 24/7 CCTV monitoring to city’s strategic locaons. CDRRMO (Alagang Lingap at Responde sa Mamamayan) ALARM Rescue is equipped with Mobile Emergency Operaon Center and other emergency service and rescue vehicle. Also, the newly-built CDRRMO Training Center would further facilitate orientaons and training on disaster risk reducon and management to hone a disaster-prepared San Joseño. As a part of the bale against COVID 19 and other communicable diseases, the City Government established a task force called City of San Jose del Monte - Task Force on the Management of Emerging and Re-emerging Infecous Diseases or the CSJDM TF-ERID which is equipped with the up-to-date response equipment and vehicles, exhibited immediate and eecve COVID-19 response as an output of invesng into preparedness and resiliency. In the year 2021, the city witnessed the compleon of the City Convenon Center. Another infrastructure project within the Producvity Center, through the combined eorts of Congresswoman Florida P. Robes and Mayor Arturo B. Robes, that can house large scale events and can accommodate more than 1,500 individuals. Together with this is the City Convenon Hotel, will soon boost and encourage sustainable tourism in the City of San Jose del Monte.Certified Most Sustainable and Liveable City286

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The spacious compound also serves not only as the healthcare core and general welfare of San Joseños and their pets, and the emergency response center of the City, but also serves as one of the main locaons for large scale programs that cater to the needs of the Local Government in delivering support for San Joseños during this COVID-19 pandemic. During the distribuon of Social Amelioraon Program, the Producvity Center served as one of the largest locaons that accommodate several barangays near the area. And now, as the City goals to immunize every eligible San Joseño and achieve herd immunity, the compound also connues to be one of the main locaons for the COVID-19 vaccinaon roll out. The existence of the Producvity Center created a landmark not only as a government oce but also as a pillar in delivering basic services and assistance for San Joseños. The Local Government connues to expand the Ospital ng Lungsod ng San Jose del Monte to address the growing medical needs of San Joseños along with its increasing populaon. The City Hospital magnies its services and facilies to complement to the rising medical needs of its constuents especially this 2021. Along with the previous improvement of exisng facilies and medical procedure, sta reorganizaon, procurement of modern medical equipment, and the addion of manpower, the expansion and construcon of Ospital ng Lungsod ng San Jose del Monte Phase 2 - Extension building is on its way to match and improve its medical services relave to the needs of the city. This improvement, in the support of the Local Government of San Jose del Monte, will further provide specialized health care to provide a more ecient and a higher quality medical care for San Joseños. Meanwhile the City Covered Court near the City Hall serves as the prime locaon and the base of the COVID-19 Vaccinaon roll out. Its easy access to the dierent vaccinaon sites makes it viable for the City Health Oce to eciently supply vaccines throughout the city. As the Vaccinaon roll out connues, the City is freshly equipped with the newly procured ambulance for use of the City Health Oce, extending the vaccinaon roll out to eligible Senior Cizens and Persons with Disabilies (PWDs) incapable of going to the dierent vaccinaon sites.THE CITY COLLEGE OF SAN JOSE DEL MONTE MASTER PLANINFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT AND THE CSJDM COVID-19 RESPONSE Since the establishment and construcon of the city’s rst local higher educaon instuon, the City College of San Jose del Monte (CCSJDM) proceeds to the development of its master plan that will soon expand the educaonal opportunies for the youth. This includes dierent facilies that reinforce the aordable quality terary educaon that the City College of San Jose del Monte oers to San Joseño students. The city college connues to oer ve banner programs that ts to the job opportunies and manpower needs of the city, gearing the students and the city alike with mutual benets for the future. Temporarily, while the CCSJDM is not conducng face-to-face classes due to the pandemic, the facility is also used for the vaccinaon roll out along with the dierent school buildings and barangay covered courts that was built under the Doble Aksyong Solusyon of Mayor Arturo B. Robes and Congresswoman Florida P. Robes. Alongside the construcon of the CCSJDM Masterplan is the connuing improvement of the City Sports Complex and the Construcon of the City Aquac Center that houses the city’s rst Olympic Size Swimming pool that will soon open opportunies for San Joseño athletes to improve their skills in the eld of sports.Certified Most Sustainable and Liveable City287

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PERIOD OF TRANSFORMATIONALINFRASTRUCTURE FOR SUSTAINABLE FUTURE In pursuit of a more sustainable and livable community, the Local Government connues to improve other facilies and eciently deliver social services and appropriate assistance to its constuents. This includes the Physical Therapy Building, Home for the Aged, Bahay Pag-asa, and the Puso at Pag-asa Social Acon Center. Also, the City of San Jose del Monte People’s Park, an under-development sports oval that will soon rise at Barangay Sapang Palay Proper, and will serve as a recreaonal space for every San Joseños. In addion, the CSJDM River Esplanade will now serves as an addional venue for events, recreaon and tourist desnaon. Ulizing riverbanks, slopes and waterways to be more producve and become the new alternave route for cyclists and joggers is part of the context of green development. Moreover, developing this River Esplanade is somehow supporng the expansion of the sources of revenue to encompass a wider array of “value capture” and land-based nancing tools, thereby leveraging private capital in greater amount and increasing the social, economic, and scal return on cies’ public investment. The year 2021 to 2022 emphasize the importance of infrastructure projects in the ecient delivery of public service. The sustainable eects are output of priorizing infrastructure development in the city. The Dobleng Aksyon of Mayor Arturo B. Robes and Congresswoman Florida P. Robes, and the eorts of the Local Government of San Jose del Monte, open doors for the Rising City, to be the next desnaon and a home that every Filipino would want to live in. More infrastructure projects are sll on its way, and together with the exisng projects will serve as the pillars in housing every San Joseño residents to a sustainable and livable home, that will soon be known as the Highly Urbanized City of San Jose del Monte.Certified Most Sustainable and Liveable City288

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Certied Most Sustainable and Liveable CityCITY GOVERNMENT OF CADIZ, NEGROS OCCIDENTALCadiz City, located in the province of Negros Occidental, is known for its abundance of natural resources, ferle lands, and strategic locaon. It is a land of splendid opportunies for people who are looking for new investments, business ventures, and employment. Cadiz is one of ve chartered cies and one of the principal ports on the island where most of the country’s sugar is grown and rened and where shing is a major industry. Over the years, Cadiz City has been considered a gateway and premier center for agro-shery resources in the province and transformed the city into a major entry point of agri-development through agriculture and food security measures. The city has a land area of 52,457.042 hectares. It has 22 barangays, 10 of which are in the población and 12 are outside the city proper. The city has a wide range of plains that serves as its economic and urban centers. It extends three to ve kilometers from its coastline up to the agricultural zone of the city. The predominant terrain of the city is rolling which is also suitable for agricultural farming. The city’s smart iniaves mainly focus on educaon, the advancement of health, agriculture, and the use of renewable energies. It has mulple sustainability iniaves in place to achieve its goal of being a green and innovave city that fosters a vibrant economy and a producve ecosystem. Cadiz City is blessed with natural resources, including ferle lands for agriculture and shery. Acknowledging this abundance, the city has implemented several programs to protect its natural resources, such as acve protecon of its forest, especially the poron included in the Northern Negros Natural Park, mangrove planng, and coastal cleanup acvies. These eorts help to preserve the city’s ecosystem and promote sustainable tourism.HON. SALVADOR G. ESCALANTE, JR.CITY MAYORRICH IN NATURALRESOURCES289

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PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURES AND SERVICE CONNECTIVITYACCESS TO THE CITY PROPER The Cadiz City Government is essenal in making sure that everyone has access to public services and infrastructure, especially those who live in outlying or isolated areas. Infrastructure and service improvements for the general populaon encourage economic expansion and job creaon. The city’s rapidly expanding economy has a lot to do with the accessibility and availability of basic infrastructure and services like transportaon, communicaon, energy, water and sewage, healthcare, educaon, and public safety. Already in the pipeline are the public market in Cadiz City which has been updated to provide a pleasant everyday consumer experience, a stop-over terminal, and a commercial hub with a ea market located in a city barangay to provide easy passenger transfers, renovated City Public Library, a Children’s Playground with a larger and safer outdoor area for leisure for both children and adults, a City Sports Complex for an acve and healthy community, an educaonal hub. Also forthcoming are the Cadiz City Hospital and the City Farm College. In the northern part of Negros, only Cadiz City has a growth rate in the number of households and business establishments that have applied for power connecons. That shows that business is alive here in Cadiz.Aside from housing the biggest solar farm in South East Asia, many other businesses are also coming in which could be a huge source of revenue that the city government can tap into later on. The administraon connues to open new opportunies for investments and create more incenve packages, parcularly for the micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and the transportaon sector. Cadiz City has completed the 51 farm-to-market road (FMR) project. These FMR connect agricultural and sheries areas, tourism desnaons, and cooperave associaons to the people allowing producers to transport their goods to traders and consumers with relave ease. These roads help the farmers and sherfolks gain beer prices and broader reach for their products. Aside from providing faster access to transport farm goods, the concrete roads also provide more convenient travel for motorists and commuters as well as faster delivery of basic government services to far-ung communies in Cadiz City. The concreng of the road made it easy for them to deliver goods and services with fewer losses. Residents are even allowed to display their products once a week in the city proper.Aside from beer transport of goods, beer pricing of its locally produced products such as crops, rice, and bananas mostly benet the farmers and consumers. It also provides cheap access to both markets for agricultural output and modern inputs. What used to be a 3-hour trip from the city proper to the farthest barangay can now be reduced to only 45 minutes with the paved roads. The Cadiz City Fish Port which is within the vicinity of the city’s commercial district and currently the sh landing site has accelerated the growth of shery acvies and has become the exisng markeng network in the other cies of the Visayas region such as Iloilo and Cebu City. In its full development, the port is seen to bring benets to the city.Biggest Solar Farm in South East AsiaOnly here in Cadiz CityCertified Most Sustainable and Liveable City290

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GREEN EXPERIENCES AND ATTRACTIONS SUPPORTIVE LOCAL GOVERNMENT The new Cadiz City Park has aracted more visitors daily, making it a gathering zone for residents. With a land area of 5,580 square meters, it is swamped by students and workers every aernoon unl late at night. It becomes a jogging lane early morning. Prominently, the whale statue stands in the middle, with a water backdrop, as this symbolizes the historic milestone of the City. As a haven for school children, youth, senior cizens, persons with disability, and Zumba lovers, the well-lit sidewalks and pathways were upgraded to improve usability. Having a wider open space, the park is blended with more green landscapes, palm trees, and other endemic plant species. The park’s mini-amphitheater also fascinates the people as it is an open-air venue used for entertainment, performances, and sports. The Cadiz Arena, named Don Bernardo Benedicto Community Center, with more than a thousand seang capacity, has state-of-the-art facilies and is fully air-condioned. The local government of Cadiz City is very supporve of businesses and investors. They have established programs and incenves that encourage investments and help businesses grow. They also provide training and skills development programs to help the locals acquire the necessary skills for employment. Recognizing this support, the city has been ranked number one in government eciency among component cies during the recent 6th Regional Cies and Municipalies Compeveness Index Awards for Compeve LGUs by the DTI-Region VI.SKILLED AND EDUCATED WORKFORCE LIVELIHOOD PROGRAMS The City has a skilled and educated workforce that is capable of working in various industries. The local government provides educaon and training programs to ensure that the locals are equipped with the necessary skills for employment. In partnership with Mahgargar Inc., the city conducted three batches of free Contact Center Services NC II Trainings for the people of Cadiz. It is designed to provide a comprehensive training and development background on working in a Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) industry. The training helped the beneciaries aain quality skills that eventually became their employment venture. The city provides livelihood programs to support the local community and promote sustainable economic growth. These programs include eco-tourism and agriculture iniaves, which provide opportunies for locals to earn a living while preserving the environment. It connues to create innovaons in agriculture and open more growth areas for new investments that would generate more job opportunies to improve the lives of the Cadiznon. It puts greater investment in health, educaon, and skills development necessary to prepare the current generaon against the exisng labor market and for the future. To ensure that the services that keep the city funconing connue to be delivered to the best standards, the Local Government Unit of Cadiz City upholds its commitment to the ecient delivery of basic services and economic transformaons. It takes a comprehensive and coordinated approach to community-based acvies to provide an opportunity to strengthen resiliency through its plans and programs.Certified Most Sustainable and Liveable City291

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GROWING TOURISM INDUSTRYCROWD-DRAWER FESTIVITIESTOWARDS PROGRESS Cadiz City is home to many beauful beaches, historical landmarks, and cultural aracons that aract tourists from all over the world. This growing tourism industry creates employment opportunies for the locals, especially those who are involved in the food industry which in return shapes the locality, not only the economy, but also its ideas, culture, and policies to be more livable, compeve, and resilient. The 15-day Dinagsa Fesval generated more than P1 billion in revenue. The fesval also drew in not only domesc but foreign tourists as well, including those from Europe. Unlike other fesvals held for the Sto. Niño that uses charcoal, it is the trademark of the Dinagsa fesval to use mul-colored water-based paint which is more colorful to look at. The Dinagsa fesval is one of the most crowd drawer fesvals in the province with around 700,000 revelers joining the fesvies. The Local Government is commied to the development of the city through investments in infrastructure. Such iniaves not only provide jobs but created a solid foundaon upon which progress can truly take place. Ease and access to quality roads, bridges, and ports enhance the City’s image as a viable locaon for tourism and business. These iniaves and programs help make Cadiz City a more sustainable and livable city, providing its residents with a high quality of life while preserving its natural resources and cultural heritage for future generaons. Cadiz City is a land of splendid opportunies for people who are looking for new investments, business ventures, and employment. With its abundance of natural resources, strategic locaon, growing tourism industry, supporve local government, and skilled workforce, Cadiz City is poised for growth and development in the years to come. The City is sll living up to its moo: Bilis Cadiz, Ugyon Cadiznon!Certified Most Sustainable and Liveable City292

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Certied Most Sustainable and Liveable CityCALAPAN: THE NEXT GREEN CITY IN ASIACALAPAN CITY, ORIENTAL MINDOROAsia is currently undergoing an unprecedented level of urbanizaon, which sets it apart from other regions in terms of the growth of the urban populaon and the number of densely populated megacies. Projecons indicate that Asia’s urban populaon will double to reach 3.2 billion by 2050, with an equivalent of 100,000 urban residents being added every day. By 2050, two-thirds of Asia’s populaon will be living in urban areas. However, this rapid urbanizaon in Asia presents numerous challenges. These challenges include increasing household consumpon, rising demand for urban services, depleon of natural resources, escalang polluon levels and greenhouse gas emissions, and heightened vulnerability to natural hazards and climate change risks. Asian cies must cope with pressure on physical infrastructure, rapid environmental degradaon, and increased risks to public health and property. Consequently, the quality of life for many residents in Asian cies is declining. Air polluon, trac congeson, limited transportaon opons, inadequate public spaces, and insucient urban and social services contribute to the decreasing livability of these cies. In response to these challenges, urban policymakers in Asia are seeking soluons through integrated and holisc urban planning. Many local governments, internaonal organizaons, and planning professionals have embraced an integrated approach that involves coordinated management of land use, mobility, water, and energy across municipal departments. Addionally, stakeholders from government, the private sector, and civil society are encouraged to work together to achieve the socioeconomic goals of the city. The concept of sustainability in urban areas has evolved rapidly in recent decades. Since 2000, environmental sustainability has become closely linked to economic growth. In the mid-2000s, various development agencies and research organizaons began advocang for “green growth.”HON. MARILOU F. MORILLO CITY MAYOR293

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This concept suggests that appropriate levels of environmental protecon contribute to the renewability of natural resources, which, in turn, facilitates economic producon and the sasfacon of basic needs in the long term. The 2000s also saw the expansion of sustainable urban development to include the third pillar of social equity. This shi reected the increasing emphasis on the livability of urban communies, promoted by smart growth and other planning movements that valued walkable, human-scale environments with high-quality open spaces and recreaonal areas. Since 2010, urban sustainability has further evolved to focus on climate change resilience. The ability of cies to expand and redevelop in a way that minimizes the impact of natural hazards and climate change risks has become a dominant concern in sustainability iniaves and projects across Asia and the world. In the absence of naonal policies on green urbanizaon in most countries, iniaves by local governments to implement green development in their localies are seen as a welcome development. These green city development frameworks vary depending on specic condions and needs. One notable iniave is the development of ‘The Green City of Calapan’ under the leadership of Mayor Marilou Flores Morillo. It is one of the pioneering and comprehensive and integrated green city development iniaves being implemented by a local government in the Philippines.Certified Most Sustainable and Liveable City294

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The Green City of Calapan, an ambious city government iniave in close partnership with the civil society, aims to promote sustainable development and environmental protecon by integrang green iniaves into urban planning and governance to address the challenges of climate change, urbanizaon, resource depleon, and social inequies. This approach recognizes the interconnectedness of social, economic, and environmental factors in building a just, livable, and resilient city. As a Green City, Calapan aims to reduce carbon emissions, conserve natural resources, and improve the quality of life of its residents. The Green City of Calapan is built upon three pillars: Economy, Environment, and Equity. These pillars form the foundaon for achieving a sustainable, livable, and thriving city.Economy: The Green City of Calapan aims to achieve compeve and resilient economic growth by enhancing the city’s unique selling points. This is achieved through demand-driven urban development and creang an aracve environment for businesses, workers, residents, and visitors. Essenal components include mixed land uses, human-scale development, low polluon levels, high-quality public open spaces, and mulmodal transportaon. Programs and iniaves such as support for agriculture modernizaon, organic agriculture, industrial parks, tourism development, renewable energy investment, and the development of various industries contribute to the city’s economic success. “A premier Green City with God-loving, economically-empowered, and culture-rich citizens actively participating in good governance, and co-existing harmoniously with the environment.”Our Vision Our Mission“The Green City shall initiate and sustain programs to create an environment conducive to development through transparent, accountable, and participatory governance”.Certified Most Sustainable and Liveable City295

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Environment: The environment component focuses on natural resource management, low-carbon technologies, biodiversity protecon, climate resilience, waste management, and disaster risk management. The goal is to improve the protecon of communies and assets while promong sustainable pracces. Programs include compact urban development, waste management, air polluon control, ood control, biodiversity conservaon, reforestaon, organic farming, renewable energy investment, water conservaon, green building standards, and strict environmental impact assessment. These iniaves contribute to a healthier and more sustainable environment in Calapan. Equity: Pung people rst, the Green City of Calapan emphasizes inclusive and equitable urban development. It aims to create an environment where all cizens can ourish and thrive. Inclusive approaches consider the needs of vulnerable groups, ensure equal access to aordable and ecient services and infrastructure, and involve the parcipaon of various stakeholders. Programs such as the establishment of people’s councils, strengthening mul-sectoral councils, subsidized housing for the urban poor, livelihood training, expanded healthcare and educaon programs, parks and open spaces, sports development, employment creaon, and poverty alleviaon contribute to a more equitable society in Calapan. To support these pillars, certain infrastructure investments are necessary. These include improvements to the airport, farm-to-market roads, sh ports, transportaon infrastructure, reliable water sources, communicaon facilies, renewable energy plants, vercal parking facilies, wastewater treatment facilies, recycling facilies, solar charging staons, park ranger staons, evacuaon centers, protecon dikes, solar power installaons, among others. By priorizing these pillars and implemenng the corresponding programs and infrastructure, the Green City of Calapan aims to become a progressive, sustainable, and highly urbanized city that promotes economic growth, protects the environment, and ensures social equity for its residents.PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS UNDERTHE GREEN CITY OF CALAPAN3. Ban on Single-Use Plasc and Program on Marine LierThe city government has implemented a citywide ban on the sale and use of six single-use plasc items to reduce plasc waste. Addionally, with the assistance of UN Habitat, the city is implemenng a program addressing marine lier while providing livelihood opportunies to communies and organizaons.4. Maximum Access to Livelihood Opportunies for the Underprivileged (MALOU) Program Aims to distribute resources and opportunies equitably by conducng sustainable livelihood projects and acvies at the barangay level. The program includes organizaonal development, livelihood and skills development, product enhancement and promoons, and monitoring and evaluaon. Training programs cover various skills such as sh processing, meat processing, cookery, handicra weaving, and more.5. Strengthening of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)Calapan City has ve marine protected areas safeguarding mangroves, corals, seagrasses, and marine wildlife. The city plans to expand three exisng MPAs and establish ve new MPAs.6. Socialized Medical Health Care Program ExpansionUnder the City Health Card Program, the city government has enrolled numerous cardholders and dependents, providing nancial assistance for diagnoscs procedures and hospitalizaon. The program aims to enhance access to medical care for the residents.7. Scholarship ProgramThe “Bridge to the Future Scholarship Program” supports college scholars from private learning instuons in Calapan City. Addionally, the City College of Calapan oers scholarships under the Educaonal Financial Assistance Program (EduFAP) to qualied college students.8. Formaon of People’s CouncilRecognizing the importance of civil society in eecve local governance, the city government has established the Calapan People’s Council. The council consists of members from cooperaves, people’s organizaons, sectoral groups, non-government organizaons, and more.9. Development of Nature-Based TourismCalapan City is launching a diving tourism program, capitalizing on its world-class diving spots in the Verde Island Passage, known for its marine biodiversity. The city also oers opportunies for nature-based tourism with its lake, rivers, and marine protected areas.1. Green City Pilot ProgramsThe city government has iniated pilot programs with the potenal for replicaon. These programs exemplify the vision and pillars of the green city, including:• Strengthening Community Enterprise to Support Conservaon: Seafood Restaurant in Silonay Mangrove Conservaon Ecopark.• Development of Caluangan Lake Ecological Park (CLEP) Management Framework and Plan.• Establishment of Plasc-Free Mangrove Nurseries in Six Coastal Barangays in Calapan City for Climate Resilience and Alternave Livelihood for Fisherfolk Aected by Oil Spill.2. Programang TaMa (Taumbayan ang Masusunod) Bringing social services directly to communies, such as medical and dental care, sheries and agriculture support, legal and local civil registry services, public tricycle registraon, livelihood and nancial assistance. The program also provides free school bags and supplies to public elementary school students and free milk supply to senior cizens.Certified Most Sustainable and Liveable City296

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Certied Most Sustainable and Liveable Municipality“Bayu at Masiglang Arayat” The VISION: “We envision Arayat to be a premier eco-tourism destination and to have a modernized agricultural sector as well as a vibrant, environment-friendly economy that fosters the quality of life of a God-fearing, disciplined and secured citizenry under a resolute, supportive leadership.”MUNICIPALITY OF ARAYAT, PROVINCE OF PAMPANGAThe beauty, mystery and transcendence of Mt. Arayat standing in solidity is a huge symbol of stability in the past 10 years (2013-2023) for the Alejandrino’s as Local Chief Execuves of the Municipality of Arayat. It is an inspiraon to the Municipal Government, and a great challenge along with the Pampanga River and aside from the vastness of vegetables, rice, corn and sugar lands in the plains. The mountain serves as inspiraon to the Arayateños to dream high with consistent and concerted eort in the aainment of the LGU Vision. Aer the 3-year (9 years) term of former Mayor Emmanuel M. Alejandrino (incumbent Vice Mayor) and with the newly elected Mayor Maria Lourdes M. Alejandrino (the spouse), connuity of vital programs for development is undertaken with the four underlying principles:1) enabling social interacon; 2) assuring safety and security; 3) generang jobs to boost the economy; 4) conserving the environment. Improving the quality of life through social interacon has been a major development strategy of the LGU of which the baseline is the family where discipline and good values are inially formed and strengthened. Populaon welfare, health, gender equality and sensivity programs are implemented annually. For the past ten (10) years, there is an increase in economic vitality and liveability due to the diverse and resilient economic situaon. Liveability iniaves concerning environmental quality, crime and safety, educaon and health provision, access to shops and services, recreaonal facilies and cultural acvies contribute to improve economic performance. A more vibrant, desirable and compeve environment for housing and commercial investment makes the Municipality of Arayat liveable with the liveability outcomes that benet people of all ages – compactness, integraon of land uses, housing diversity and transportaon opons. The New Arayat Central Terminal is a major part of the mobility system that increases the quality of life – connecng people to move and eciently perform their tasks at home and their dues and responsibilies with their employers.HON. MARIA LOURDES M. ALEJANDRINOMUNICIPAL MAYOR297

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Accessibility and sustainable mobility in delivering food, transporng products, reaching jobs, doing business and producve leisure are ensured to be undertaken with ease and comfort. This healthy, liveable and complete neighbourhood campaign boosted the construcon of concreted provincial road from Brgy. Gaawin leading to San Juan Baño, in the middle of the rice eld, vegetable farm, fruit and hardwood tree plantaon. There is also the ongoing DPWH construcon of the 4-Lanes concreted foot of the mountain, by-pass road from Brgy. San Juan Baño leading to Brgy. La Paz Turu of Arayat (boundary to Tarlac). Such eort help foster diversity and a walkable and green cluster of communies of which there are landscaped areas, green alleys, wildlife corridors, Pampanga River waterfront and hilltop green-covered spaces serving as infrastructure for recreaon, residences and sustainable watershed management. Programs for community gardens, children’s playground and open space development are also under expansion. Modern facilies in agriculture and waste management (imagine a central Material Recovery Facility monitored in the CCTV system) were provided. The year-round reforestaon and tree planng is expanding in terms of number of volunteers (10,472) from all sectors of the society which is a great contribung factor in the more or less 23 Million total cost of fruit-bearing and hardwood seedlings invested for the past nine years for tree planng, and the well-structured LGU management for Mt. Arayat consistent with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Memorandum of Agreement. The municipal-wide greenway network kicked o from the protected areas down to the foot of Mt. Arayat. The transformaon of Mt. Arayat Naonal Park of which future improvement and development have been well-planned for the past nine years of Mayor Emmanuel M. Alejandrino’s administraon. One great challenging dream is to put Mt. Arayat in the world map as an Eco-Tourism desnaon where nature’s ora and fauna is protected and nurtured. It is a promising site that can help in migang global warming, a recreaonal and research site, source of livelihood among the Arayateños, and a major supply of free potable water among the 9,831 total populaon of Brgy. San Juan Baño and at least 11 barangays within the vicinity of Mt. Arayat while addional spring water reservoirs will soon be constructed as planned. All are part of the LGU’s mission.“All must afford a liveable place to live where sectoral development is across the board.” – Mayor Maria Lourdes M. AlejandrinoCertified Most Sustainable and Liveable Municipality298

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BASIC SOCIAL SERVICES PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS 2013-2023• 30 Day Care Centers, Birthing Staon (RHU-I/RHU-II) and TB-DOTS assessed and consistently monitored and support with capacity building program through training and workshops.• Funconal Drop-in Center for Children in Conict with the Law (CICL).*Center to serve as temporary shelter and custody for CICL.• Rehabilitated Municipal Evacuaon Center.• Bahay Pagbabago 45-day rehabilitaon for drug reformists.• Capability development of disaster responders and sta.• Recruitment of more capable and compeve personnel for both MENRO and MDRRMO and acquision of tools and equipment.• Educaonal Services Improvement- Addional Classrooms - Constructed, repaired and replaced with the assistance of the DepEd and DPWH. - Annual seminar-workshop for school teachers.- Granng scholarship though the support of close friends, namely, Medina and Santos families.• More Improved System on Health Services and Development- Repairs/Improvement of Barangay Health Staons in 30 barangays-Pregnant women from 30 barangays annual parcipaon in a “Buns Party” – “Ligtas Buns, Ligtas Sanggol Laban sa HIV/AIDS, Syphilis and Hepas B.”• Assistance/Recognion to Senior Cizens- Annual awarding of “Outstanding Barangay Health Workers;- Social Pension beneciaries totaling 681 who receive Php3,000 (semi-annually); Philhealth coverage, burial assistance, purchase of medicines, ID Cards and booklets;- LGU funded annual assistance on hospitalizaon, death benets, free medicines, vitamins and vaccinaon; - Annual gi-giving project for poor of the poorest senior cizens;- Annual awarding of “Ulirang Senior Cizen na Magulang”;- Annual awarding of “Outstanding Senior Cizen na Magsasaka”;- Approval of SB Resoluon No. 012 Series of 2019 implemenng the Php10,000.00 Birthday Cash Gi to all Senior Cizens (natural-born in Arayat) upon reaching 85 years of age.• Provision of Basic Support and Infrastructure to Agriculture- Free Hybrid and Cered Rice Seeds for more than 8,000 farmers; - Seminars and technology transfer through Farmers Field School for Rice, Corn and Vegetables with the following grants for beneciaries:- Rice Crop Manager for more than 2,000 farmers;- Farm Machineries Distribuon for Associaons and Cooperaves- Distribuon of Mul-Purpose Drying Pavement, Far-To-Market Road and Dryer such as Flush and Recirculang and Mechanical Dryer.- Distribuon of Pescides and organic ferlizers to All Farmers- Distribuon of Hook and Line, Solar Lamps, Sky Lab, Gillnets for Fishermen- Distribuon of Livestocks such as Cows, Carabaos, Goats, Hogs and Chickens- An-Rabies Vaccinaon- Crop Insurance and Livestocks, Machineries and Life Insurance- Solar Power Irrigaon System Project – 3.0 Million for Brgy. Matamo for corn planng and 1.5 Million for Brgy. Tabuan’s high value crops;- MAFC/BAFC Associaon & Cooperaves Meengs- Rice Black Bug Control Measures During Night Time - Geo-Tagging and Geo-Referencing- Financial Grants of Php5,000.00 each for farmers lling two hectares and below. • Public Employment Services- Pedicab regular monitoring managed by 25 beneciaries for “Padyak Project”;- Purchase and delivery of 70 units Food Stalls forPhp1,050,000.00.- Aide for Scavenger Beneciaries;- Tulong Panghanapbuhay for Disadvantaged Displaced Workers;- Massage, Computer, Housekeeping and Call Center Training;- Facilitaon of Job Fairs;Certified Most Sustainable and Liveable Municipality299

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• Full Rehabilitaon of Mt. Arayat Naonal Park (Ongoing) - The protecon, conservaon and preservaon of Mt. Arayat Naonal Park is also providing employment in the tourism industry. More residents are able to get jobs, create livelihood projects and businesses with the operaon of the Mt. Arayat Naonal Park as managed by the LGU. This reects the policy of localism and showing a gradual improvement of life standard. Free training in Tour Guiding for out-of-school youth, unemployed parents and tricycle drivers is a part of the Municipal Tourism Oce’s Programs.- 10-year Solid Waste Management Plan (SWMP) approval by the Naonal Solid Waste Commission; - Back-up tricycle for proper waste disposal in 30 barangays; - Extension of Central MRF through EMB-DENR Fund Support. - Memorandum of Agreement between the LGU and Metro Clark Waste Management, Inc.)- Memorandum of Agreement between the LGU and Metro Clark Waste Management, Inc. (Sanitary Landll)- Procurement of containers for garbage collecon and segregaon.- Installaon of DOST Biogas Facilies.- Memorandum of Agreement between the LGU and Republic Cement, Inc. (Collecon of recyclable solid wastes (ongoing negoaon).• Construcon of Drainage Canal; Desilng, Sandbagging and Repair of Dikes; Desilng of Creeks - The Municipal Government monitors the smooth ow of water, redirecng through sandbagging and sees to it that ood control and safety measures by dike repairs is undergone eciently.- 4.0 Million Rehabilitaon of Waterways Desilng/Declogging of Creeks in Brgy. Lacmit, Bitas, Palinlang and Lapaz Turu (4,000.00 L.M.);- 1.5 Million (3 km) Desilng of Creek in Brgy. Tabuan, San Mateo and Candang;- 1.9 Million Declogging of Canal and River at Brgy. San Juan Baño, Gaawin, La Paz Turu. • Maintenace of Small Water Impounding Project (SWIP) - a water harvesng and storage structure in Brgy. Bali with earth embankment spillway, outlet works and canal facilies designed for soil and water conservaon and ood control during rainy season.• Year-Round Tree Planng (2014-2019) – More concerned cizens within and outside the municipality have been parcipang in the Tree Planng Project in line with the restoraon of Mt. Arayat forest within the protected areas.- Average of 3.0 Million Annual Supply and Delivery of Fruit Bearing and Hardwood trees;- 6.0 Million Supply and Delivery of Materials for Waste Management Program (847 pcs.Trash Bins, 101,757 pcs. Sacks, 515,739 pcs. Garbage Plascs) - 1.6 Million Purchase and Delivery of One (1) Unit Pick-Up Truck for MENRO;- 2.25 Million Purchase and Delivery of One (1) Unit Mini-Dump Truck (5 c.m. capacity) for MENRO.ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT 2013-2023GOOD GOVERNANCE, TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITYPEACE AND ORDER ONGOING PROJECTS FOR 2023COMPLETED HIGH INVESTMENT PROJECTS FOR 2013-2023 Keeping the best pracces, the 33 concrete themac plans are set-up and as a Good Financial Housekeeping Passer for 2019, Arayat LGU is awarded twice with a Seal of Good Local Governance for the year 2017 and 2019 as recognized by the Department of Finance and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG). The ght against prohibited drug connues towards a more drug free, peaceful and safe environment as proven with the low crime rate for 2019. For monitoring purposes in designated hotspots within the municipality, the CCTV assembly worth 2.0 Million is a big support in crime and accident quick monitoring.• 3.0 Million – Creaon of Community-Based Management System (CBMS).• 9.5 Million Upgrading/Improvement of 37,726 cu.m. New Arayat Central Terminal.• 56 Million 4-Storey Arayat Mul-Purpose Building• Embankment of Future Site of the Arayat Public Market• 12.053 Million Local Access Road in Barangay Camba-Candang (735mX6.0mX0.30m); • 2.5 Million Supply and Delivery of Materials for the Construcon of Senior Cizens Center (Phase-1);• 2.5 Million Supply and Delivery of Materials for the Construcon of Senior Cizens Center (Phase-2); • 2.5 Million Road Improvement at Brgy. Telapayong (300 L.M.X 5MX0.15M)• Php3,871,309.86 Construcon of Villa Rosario Road at Brgy. Plazang Luma (500MX5MX0.2M)• Php495,000.00 Purchase and Delivery of An-Dengue Chemicals (1,000 Sachets);• Php999,600.00 Purchase and Delivery of Liquid Mosquito Film for Brgy. Plazang Luma (80 liters);• Php4,699,200.00 Supply of Medicines for the use of Municipal Health Department for 2019;• 1.2M Three-Door Row House at the Brgy. San Juan Banio Reselement Site.• Improved “I Love Arayat” signage and Municipal Grounds Children Playground.Certified Most Sustainable and Liveable Municipality300

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Certied Most Sustainable and Liveable MunicipalityMUNICIPALITY OF MINGLANILLA, CEBU Vibrant economy. Lively scene on culture, arts, and sports. A visionary acon man as mayor. We factor in the nonstop bombardment of services to the public, pluts the upcoming grandiose infrastructure projects, then you will have without doubt a picture of the Municipality of Minglanilla as the rising star in Cebu Province. Like a giant rising from a long slumber, Minglanilla is now exing its muscles, showing the public what it is capable of. The rst southern Cebu municipality outside of the provincial capital, it is now an emerging new model for local governance and public service. In-migraon has transformed Minglanilla into a cosmopolitan metropolis, being a catchment area for people and their families moving near to their workplaces. It aracts local migrants and is now one of the most populated municipalies in Cebu, the country’s number one province. At more than 74,000, its number of registered voters far exceeds that of other municipalies. Commercial, industrial and residenal developments are increasing in Minglanilla, leading to a boom in its populaon to over 151,000. Now, Minglanilla is a rst-class municipality aiming to be the next city in southern Cebu. Minglanilla is known for its Sugat Kabanhawan Fesval which garnered the highest number of awards in the 2022 Pasigarbo sa Sugbo Fesval of Fesvals, including the highest rank among 44 municipalies. The fesval highlights the Resurrecon of Jesus Christ which is celebrated on Easter Sunday with thousands of people gathered at 2:00 AM to witness the reenactment of the resurrecon and the grand ritual showdown in the aernoon. The town celebrates its esta every August 22 in honor of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.ATTY. RAJIV V. ENADMUNICIPAL MAYORMUNICIPALITY OF MINGLANILLA: CEBU’S RISING STAR301

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Minglanilla is also home to the Philippines’ rst ever reforestaon project, implemented in 1916. Spanning 2,700 hectares, the Camp 7 Man-made Forest, which is now more than a century old, is aracng visitors to Minglanilla. Today, Mayor Rajiv Enad leads the Municipal Government. He plans to implement new infrastructure projects with foresight, diligence, and integrity to make the town an even more ideal place to live, work, and play in. A 100-hectare, island-type reclamaon area will soon rise in Minglanilla’s waters – a project that will catapult the town as the economic hub of southern Cebu. The reclamaon area, which will occupy only a kilometer of the town’s 15-kilometer sea territory, will not aect the mangroves nor the sherfolk, and will generate nearly 100,000 jobs when completed.Minglanilla is poised to become the commercial, nancial, cultural and residenal center in southern Cebu. Its physical landscape is changing, as well as its seat of government. The Minglanilla Municipal Government led by Mayor Rajiv Enad is presenng a united front in baling societal ills with careful planning and polical will to make speedy execuon of plans. Enad and his running mate, Vice Mayor Elanito Peña, garnered a commanding and irrefutable victory in the 2022 elecons, with their allies sweeping all seats in the Municipal Council. Their mission is for the town to thrive under rapid urbanizaon and become a leader in innovave governance, the benchmark for resiliency, and an emerging model for inclusive governance where no one will be le behind. Mayor Rajiv’s vision is for Minglanilla to become a vibrant city that is globally compeve, with unprecedented heights of progress and economic development inclusive for all, anchored on sustainability for the succeeding generaons, and embracing the concept of WORK, LIVE and PLAY for Minglanillahanons.At the height of the pandemic, Minglanilla was a leading town in terms of providing support for more than 54,000 families through giving of 1 sack of 50kls of rice per household and another 25kls for the second wave. The town again proved its resiliency and empathy towards its constuents when Typhoon Odee hit the country. With the iniave and strong will of a former councilor now Mayor, Ay. Rajiv Enad, another 1 sack of rice was distributed. Daily Relief Operaons and Clearing Operaons, Free Charging Staons which accommodated more than 1,000 recipients a day, Free Water Relling Staon, Free WiFi for Work from Home Set-up and Distribuon of generator and chainsaw per barangay.Certified Most Sustainable and Liveable Municipality302

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Now as Mayor, to protect the people against disasters like the typhoons that regularly visit the Philippines, Minglanilla will provide evacuaon centers in 10 idened barangays, complete with cooking and washing areas as well as decent comfort rooms for evacuees. It is at the cusp of overhauling the enre Municipal Wide Drainage System, and is strengthening pre-empve measures for impending disasters, leading the preparaons to ensure that all barangays, schools and other stakeholders are well-coordinated. While pushing for sustainability for the next generaons, the Municipality of Minglanilla is not taking the role of the older generaon for granted. As a way giving respect and care for the elderly, the Municipal Government sets aside budget for the allowances of at least 11,000 senior cizens, at P4,000 each. Mayor Rajiv, who authored the ordinance giving allowances to senior cizens when he was sll a councilor, increased the amount from P1,000 to P4,000 when he became mayor, a campaign promise that became reality as soon as he assumed oce. Not only that, the Municipal Government oers “Libreng Sakay” or free transportaon for the senior cizens during crowded public holidays such as All Souls Day celebraon.It is not only the senior cizens that the Minglanilla Municipal Government is giving special aenon to, but also the other vulnerable sectors who are also receiving assistance: the persons with disability (PWDs), single mothers, pregnant women, Barangay Health Workers, Sangguniang Kabataan Councilors, SK Treasurers and Secretaries and other barangay focal persons. Children, especially children’s nutrion, is a priority. Provision of feeding programs to more than 2,000 children through the Day Care Workers has been consistently implemented and monitored by the MSWD. In addion, Minglanilla was also awarded as Child-Friendly Municipality. The Minglanilla Youth Home serves as an avenue for minors in conict with the law to improve their lives through various programs such as Alternave Learning System (ALS) and income generang skills trainings such as baking and cras. Student athletes are given allowances, uniforms and recognions. The provision of clean, potable water is a top priority in Minglanilla, whose Rural Health Unit monitor regularly the quality of water being used by the residents, especially in the mountain barangays where the local government also distributes hose, water drums and other tools for residents to have access to water. For gender and equality advocacy, Minglanilla is acvely supporng the LGBT, and hold various events where the LGBT can show o their creavity in direcng, choreography, dancing, styling and make up, while others have a chance to earn livelihood as producon crew as well. Peace is one of the pillars of economic development and in Minglanilla, the Municipal Government has a ght coordinaon with the local police staon personnel and the police chief. Aside from the Minglanilla Police Staon, the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) and the Bureau of Fire Protecon is acvely collaborang with the Minglanilla Trac Commission (MITCOM) when it comes to peace and order especially during big events. The Minglanilla Command Center has upgraded its CCTV cameras and other equipment to monitor and help in ghng crimes. Moreover, the LGU is also giving allowances to barangay tanods who are the frontliners in peacekeeping in the barangays. For health services, which is given primary importance in Minglanilla, free mobile diagnoscs and medical mission are regularly held in the barangays to bring the strong message that the LGU takes seriously the role of safeguarding the people’s health and well-being.Certified Most Sustainable and Liveable Municipality303

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Minglanilla is one of the few LGUs in Cebu that has a Cancer Program. Women’s health is being aended to by conducng regular papsmear, cervical test, and breast examinaon, which are cancer screening and diagnosc assistance. Minglanilla is one of only two LGUs in Cebu’s rst district capable of HPV DNA tesng, which is crucial in early detecon and treatment of cervical cancer. The Minglanilla RHU is now an accredited Social Hygiene Clinic, which conducts screening, treatment and counselling for people with HIV and other sexually transmied diseases. The RHU personnel are proacve in pursuing the high-risk populaon by conducng health educaon even at night me in public plazas, and wherever there is a crowd such as during esta acvies in sios or barangays. Further, Minglanilla is about to open its rst Municipal Birthing Clinic in order to strengthen its women and child care services. To ensure services will reach the basic unit of the society, strengthening the town’s Purok System is also a priority, giving each registered purok P10,000 annually. Each year, the LGU holds the SugBusog Program in line with the Capitol program, with the Purok Contest having P50,000 for the rst prize, P30,000 for the second, and P10,000 for the 3rd placer. Through trainings, Minglanilla equips the barangay health workers and barangay nutrion scholars with knowledge and skills to perform their tasks, and send out nurses and midwives to conduct home visits to assess people at risk for hypertension and diabetes, so they can be provided with medicines. The RHU met the standards and requirements for PhilHealth Accreditaon, with outpaent consultaons with doctors scheduled several mes per week. Minglanilla is also one of the pioneers for the Community-Based Drug Rehabilitaon and Treatment where the barangay drug council focal persons are trained to conduct random screenings and symposium for a drug-free Minglanilla. All these achievements and milestones are shared through Minglanilla’s transparency portals, which are the Facebook pages of the Local Government of Minglanilla, the Mayor Rajiv Enad page, and the Minglanilla Daily. These tools for the immediate and widespread disseminaon of informaon also serve as feedback mechanism, as anyone can reach the Municipal Government at any me of the day for any concerns, with just a few clicks. The Municipal Government also has an ocial website, the minglanillacebu.com, one of major tools for transparency, containing everything there is to know about Minglanilla and the government’s acvies, programs, and projects. Minglanilla is poised for major physical transformaon. Work has started for the construcon of the Minglanilla Government Center, to give the people the modern and spacious Municipal Hall that they deserve, for ease of transacon, and a landmark that will reect the rst-class municipality that Minglanilla is. The Government Center will have ample parking space and facilies for sports and recreaon to manifest our goal of making Minglanilla a beer place to live, work and play in. It will have a tennis court, a badminton court, a soccer eld, and other amenies for the public to use. Also, Minglanilla has been aggressive in its road repair and road concreng projects. Mayor Rajiv Enad and his team of public servants always talk about a beer and brighter Minglanilla, and are proving that this is not just rhetorics. Renewable street lights will light up Minglanilla’s main road from boundary to boundary. New trac lights were installed and operated to help the ow of trac.The rehabilitaon of the town plaza is another agship project. Being the most prominent place in any locality, Minglanilla will give its own a proper faceli so it will be pleasing to the eyes of residents and visitors, a plaza that will give delight as a Food Park, for leisurely walks, and for spending me with family and friends. Several challenges have been thrown at publics servants in the recent past with the pandemic and the super typhoon, but the Minglanilla Municipal Government has stepped up and risen up to the challenge. Together, Mayor Rajiv Enad, Vice Mayor Lani Peña, and the Municipal Council brought back the people’s trust in the municipal government, and their collecve sense of pride for being Minglanillanons. Mayor Enad’s strong belief in the mantra that “No One Will Be Le Behind” showed results of good governance and service that comes from the heart, enfolding the town with much opmism and high hopes. With them, the residents are now enthusiascally saying in unison: “Abante, Minglanilla!”Certified Most Sustainable and Liveable Municipality304

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Certied Most Sustainable and Liveable MunicipalityMAYOR, MUNICIPALITY OF DAPA, SIARGAO ISLAND SURIGAO DEL NORTEThe Municipality of Dapa, known as the “Economic Center of Siargao” has emerged as one of the most sustainable and livable municipalies in the Philippines. This remarkable transformaon can be aributed to the leadership of Mayor Elizabeth “Abeth” T. Matugas, who has implemented innovave iniaves and measures aimed at promong sustainable development, protecng the environment, and improving the quality of life of her constuents. Its Local Government primarily focus not only on agriculture and tourism but rather on the promoon of sustainable development. The local government is dedicated to safeguarding the health and safety of the town’s more than 36,144 cizens as well as the preservaon of the natural environment in which they live, while maximizing tourism and natural resources. Looking at how Dapa navigated the complexity of the Pandemic and the devastaon brought by Typhoon Odee will reveal how Dapa have gradually evolved into a sutainable and livable place in the lovely island of Siargao. Dapa’s economy, which is heavily dependent on agriculture & tourism, took a huge hit when the COVID-19 epidemic struck. Travel bans and lockdown measures brought the industry to a halt, and the economy as a whole suered as a result. The need for prompt and immediate acon was realized by Mayor Abeth, who took the iniave to organize targeted support programs for the most vulnerable members of the community and collaborated closely with the local health oce to build tesng and vaccinaon staons. She did this by placing a high priority on public health and by oering nancial aid, which helped reduce the damage the pandemic had on the local economy and on the well-being of the populaon. In spite of the dicules that were caused by the epidemic, Mayor Abeth remained unwavering in her dedicaon to reestablishing and reinvigorang Dapa’s economy and tourism business. She established a number of dierent projects with the goal of supplying small and medium-sized businesses with nancial help and resources, so enabling such businesses to adjust to the new standard. She ensured that Dapa remained an appealing desnaon for tourists by invesng in tourism projects that were innovave, sustainable, and environmentally friendly. This allowed her to protect both the natural environment and the disnct cultural legacy of the local people.HON. ELIZABETH T. MATUGASMUNICIPAL MAYOR“RISING FROM WAVES: DAPA’S REMARKABLE TRANSFORMATION INTO A SUSTAINABLE PARADISE”305

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The local government of Dapa is able to idenfy areas that are sensive to natural disasters and design appropriate acons to migate the risk of disasters through the use of the CDRA. These steps will reduce the likelihood of natural disasters aecng lives, livelihood, and properes. This is accomplished through performing assessments of the potenal hazards, vulnerabilies, and risks in the area, as well as idenfying the capacies and resources that may be mobilized to address these risks. These evaluaons are then used to formulate a plan for migang these risks. Using this informaon, the LGU will be able to build strategies for disaster preparedness, allocate resources to areas that are at high risk, and execute risk reducon measures to reduce the eect of potenal disasters. When Typhoon Odee came, Mayor of Dapa, Abeth, guided the Municipality of Dapa in a direcon that priorized long-term healing and reconstrucon. She was a strong advocate for the construcon of disaster- resistant housing and infrastructure, which resulted in the Local Government Unit of Dapa donang construcon materials to a number of families so that they could construct their homes. Mayor Abeth was successful in securing nancial assistance and resources for the purpose of ensuring that the process of rebuilding would be both sustainable and long-lasng. Thanks to his collaboraon with naonal authories, local organizaons, and assistance from friends. Dapa has established itself as one of the most environmentally friendly and hospitable municipalies in the Philippines as a result of its forward-thinking iniaves, solid economy, and growing tourism industry. Because of Mayor Abeth’s steadfast leadership, the municipality has triumphed over an extensive number of obstacles, and as a result, it is now stronger and more resilient than it has ever been. The municipality of Dapa dedicaon to both the prevenon of natural disasters and the adjustment to the eects of climate change is one of the primary reasons why it is a sustainable and livable community. Helping to priorize investments in disaster preparedness and climate change adaptaon is the recently updated Climate and Disaster Risk Assessment (CDRA) and Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP). The fact that the Climate and Disaster Risk Assessment (CDRA) and the Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP) have both been put into acon is evidence of the municipality’s dedicaon to the concept of sustainable development. These eorts place a priority on investments in disaster preparedness and climate change adaptaon, both of which are essenal in a world where the frequency and severity of natural disasters is rising.INTERNATIONAL PASSENGER PORTBRGY. JUBANG, DAPA, SIARGAO ISLAND, SURIGAO DEL NORTECertified Most Sustainable and Liveable Municipality306

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Implemenng Dapa’s 10-Year Solid Waste Management Plan has contributed to the municipality’s increased desirability. The plan’s objecves are to reduce trash at its point of origin, maximize the amount of waste that is diverted from landlls, and lower the amount of waste that is disposed of. By cung down on the quanty of garbage that is created and keeping it from contaminang the environment, this plays an essenal part in the eorts that are being made by the municipality to become sustainable and livable. It is also important to improve environmental health, which has a substanal impact on the well-being of the community as a whole, and proper waste management does just that. With the execuon of this plan, Dapa proves its commitment to sustainability. As a result, the municipality is transformed into a livable community that oers its cizens a seng that is both healthy and secure. The expansion of Dapa’s hospital to accommodate one hundred paents and the improvement of the exisng medical facilies have each played a key role in the town becoming more livable and self-sucient. The measure will ensure that residents have access to improved medical services, parcularly in the event of unexpected emergencies or natural disasters. The dedicaon of the municipality to the management of disaster risk reducon and adaptaon to climate change through the provision of trainings, assures in addion, that its cizens are well-informed and well-prepared for any eventuality. Dapa is developing into a community that is more resilient and sustainable because it places a higher priority on the well-being and health of its cizens. Mayor Abeth’s prepares Dapa for a bigger and brighter future through the enactment of its Municipal Public-Private Partnership Ordinance where the local government supports long-term cooperaon and partnership between itself and the business sector. Because of this relaonship, the way has been cleared for private investments to produce high-quality and cost-ecient infrastructure that sases the requirements of the general public. As a direct consequence of this, the local government has been in a posion to enhance the provision of public services and encourage the development of novel approaches, both of which are to the community’s benet. In addion to this, Dapa is well-known for its advocacy of gender equality, which is vital for the advancement of social jusce, the reducon of poverty, and the promoon of economic progress. The community as a whole adheres to the principle that all persons, irrespecve of gender, should have equal access to resources, opportunies, and rights. Furthermore, it recognizes that achieving gender equality is a fundamental component of sustainable development. Dapa has built a community that appreciates diversity and inclusivity as a result of this acvism, and this has contributed to the town’s livability and sustainability.Certified Most Sustainable and Liveable Municipality307

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The fact that Dapa is home to a number of dierent naonal government agencies has considerably contributed to the community’s viability as a place to reside. This has resulted in the creaon of new job possibilies, which has contributed to an increase in the local economy as well as an improvement in the cizens’ standard of living. Because of the Department of Educaon, the municipality is able to provide its residents with access to a high-quality educaon, which is absolutely necessary for the culvaon of individuals who are knowledgeable and skillful. The existence of the Naonal Food Authority in the community helps to ensure that there will always be food available, which contributes to an increased level of food safety. The Land Transportaon Oce makes it possible for inhabitants to have access to various transportaon opons, which makes it simpler for them to go about their daily rounes. The municipality’s cizens have access to medical treatment and social services thanks to PhilHealth and the Department of Social Welfare and Development, which is benecial to their overall health and well-being. Last but not the least, the Philippine Ports Authority works to improve trade and business by construcng two (2) internaonal seaports (passenger and cargo ports), which in turn contributes to the overall expansion and improvement of the town. In summaon, the Municipality of Dapa has made signicant progress over the past few years as a direct result of the unyielding leadership of Mayor Elizabeth “Abeth” T. Matugas and the concerted eort of the community as a whole. The community has been able to triumph against a variety of obstacles, including the COVID-19 pandemic and Typhoon Odee, thanks to acvies that are both invenve and environmentally friendly. Because of these eorts, the community’s resistance has been improved, and Dapa has become one of the most sustainable and livable municipalies in the Philippines. Dapa’s dedicaon to disaster preparedness and adaptability to climate change, environmentally sensive policies, sustainable land use pracces, and eecve waste management are the primary factors that contribute to its success. In addion, the fact that Dapa has placed such great emphasis on enhancing healthcare facilies, encouraging public- private partnerships, promong gender equality, and hosng numerous naonal government organizaons has resulted in the development of a dynamic community in which residents may take pleasure in a high quality of life. The tremendous improvement that has been made in Dapa serves as an encouragement to other communies not only in the Philippines but also further aeld. The dedicaon of the municipality to long-term sustainability and the health and happiness of its residents will ensure a brighter and more prosperous future for the enre community as it connues to develop and mature.Skateboarding ArenaDapa Siargao HotelIndoor Sports & Child CenterWater ParkCertified Most Sustainable and Liveable Municipality308

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Certied Most Sustainable and Liveable MunicipalityMUNICIPALITY OF SIAYAN, ZAMBOANGA DEL NORTEGood governance has always been the blueprint of my administraon. Being true to my constuents and serve them with the utmost integrity is my humble commitment to God. Through this program, we will be able to ensure that the best interest of our constuents is always served. An eye that will look aer the day-to-day operaon of LGU; an ear that will listen to the voices of our ordinary people; the hand that will strengthen the linkage of local government and its constuents; and the heart that cares about the need of the public especially the underprivileged. Mayor Alberto “ALI” Bongcawel dared to build his polical career on the principle that government funcons when it serves the people most. His achievement as Naon Builders Honorary Local Chief Execuve of the Year 2022 and Outstanding Public Servant of the Year 2022 by Gawad Filipino Awards are the proofs of his enduring commitment to making government an authenc vanguard of the people’s welfare. Siayan – a vibrant and progressive community, embarking to be an alternave center for agro-trade and commercial acvity where healthy and empowered people enjoy prosperity, peace and working in harmony to achieve a balanced sustainable growth, auned to globalizaon. To pursue socio-economic sustainability through agricultural modernizaon – parcularly pung in place a state-of-the-art urban amenies, yet keeping intact its natural environments, ecological balance and rural ambience, and enhancing its indigenous cultural heritage. In pursuit of becoming a progressive agricultural community with a safe and well-balanced environment, the municipality therefore is oblige to maximize its people’s parcipaon in local governance and to rekindle the degrading moral values of its constuents. Cooperaon and teamwork is obligatory not just between the municipal ocials but among the people as a whole in order to achieve its goals. The overall goal of the land use plan of the Municipality of Siayan is to:• Opmize the use of its land resources while keeping it abreast with changing growth condions in the region in order to achieve self-reliance.• Develop its resources in a sustainable manner by ulizing both the natural and capital resources with focus on the enrichment of areas potenal to agricultural producvity and agri-business; binding ecotourism and improving policies for commerce and trade.HON. ALBERTO “ALI” BONGCAwELMUNICIPAL MAYOROUR VISIONLAND USE GOALSOUR MISSION309

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INCREASE AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTIONDIVERSIFY THE ECONOMYENSURE ADEQUATE AND ACCESSIBLE SOCIAL SERVICES Being an agricultural community, the agriculture sector shall connue to be a major contributor to its economic development. The Plan shall ensure that the use of agricultural land will generate maximum prot without negave consequences especially on the environment. Agricultural land should be used in such manner consistent with its natural qualies to maximize its producvity and also adhere to the principles of sustainable development. At the same me, the plan shall ensure the availability, adequacy, sustainability, accessibility and aordability of basic agricultural products to everyone at all mes and shall emphasize the maintenance of food security. Agricultural producon plays an important role in the economic development of the town. However, it cannot be avoided that this revenue stream had possibilies of falling down due to external factors. Therefore, a need to diversify the economy is a must. This diversicaon provides the municipality with the security and reliability that if agricultural producon fails, several other opons for revenue stream are available. The favorable locaon of the town can capture the spillover of urban development opportunies of the capital town of the province, hence allowing the town to emerge as a progressive trading hub. Therefore, there is a need to intensify the expansion of the secondary and terary economic base by assisng the growth of small and medium scale enterprises and to allocate land for urban uses by converng land least suitable for agricultural and farming uses. In order to upli the quality of life of its people, comprehensive programs on health, educaon, social welfare, housing and peace and order must be provided eecvely to them. Although more had already done yet the growth of provision of basic social services had lagged since it failed to benet the majority, who feel increasingly alienated because their polical instuons provide lile relief and have dried beyond their control. Eecve delivery of social services especially to the idened poor constuents must be given priority by the plan to ensure that every constuent has his own share of the pie to cause social advancement and in the long term, inclusive growth will be achieved and poverty will be eradicated.Certified Most Sustainable and Liveable Municipality310

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PROVIDE ADEQUATE INFRASTRUCTURE SUPPORTLAND USE OBJECTIVESDEVELOPMENT OBJECTIVESENHANCE QUALITY OF LIFE THROUGH A WELL-BALANCED AND DISASTER RESILIENT ENVIRONMENT At the same me inadequate infrastructure has been a major constraint in the realizaon of the vision. An inecient transport network (unpaved roads, specically farm-to-market roads) and dilapidated instuonal edices limits the economic opportunies of the people and unless urgent acon is taken, the hitherto threatens not only growth but also the realizaon of many crical social and economic goals of the town. As populaon increases, the local government is required to strategically manage investments in the provision of safe, ecient and reliable infrastructures to catalyze the socio-economic progress of the municipality. The Comprehensive Land Use Plan of the Municipality of Siayan is a document that will provide guidance to policy makers, decision makers and the stakeholders on how to make decisions on public and private land development proposals, the expenditure of public funds, availability of tax policy (tax incenves), cooperave eorts and issues of pressing concern, such as farmland preservaon or the rehabilitaon of older neighborhoods areas. It’s specic objecves are the following:• To encourage the most desirable and ecient use of land while enhancing the physical and economic environment of Siayan;• To direct, harmonize and inuence discussions and acvies of private and public sectors relave to the use and management of lands;• To protect and enhance the viability, livability, and aordability of residenal neighborhoods, while integrang mulfamily development throughout the municipality;• To promote desirable paerns of land uses to prevent wasteful development and minimize the cost of public infrastructure and ulies and other social services;• To preserve areas of ecological, aesthec, historical and cultural signicance;• To balance open space and environmental preservaon with the community’s development needs;• To provide an ecient, safe and connecve transportaon system that is coordinated with exisng needs and with plans for future growth; this system should be economical and responsive to adjacent land uses. This requires transparency and accountability to give “voice” to people, enables civil society to become partners of government, and makes the government more responsive to the needs of cizens in order to regain the vanishing faith of the people to the local government. At the same me, it requires connuously broadening parcipatory and collaborave governance mechanisms that will encourage individual cizens, households, organized groups, local instuons and even neighboring municipalies to partner with the local government in realizing mutually benecial goals. Natural resource management could lead to a beer environment and beer environment provide beer livelihood opportunies which apparently gives the people beer income thus, increasing their resiliency. Thereby, well-craed government policies, programs and projects on environmental protecon and management are very necessary and must be one of the priories of the plan. The signicant element of this land use plan from the previous one highlights the mainstreaming of climate change and disaster risk reducon and management in all sectors. As a policy, there is a need to consider long-term planning on the municipality’s ecosystems to recuperate the deteriorated state of the town’s environment and natural resources to which the poor depend on for their livelihood and in order to improve their resiliency towards disaster and climate change. Development objecves are basic tools that underlie all planning and strategic acvies. They serve as the basis for creang policy and evaluang performance. The development goals of the land use plan are the following:• To increase the income of the constuents from way below poverty line to a level where they can provide their own basic needs;• To strengthen agricultural producons as the primary economic base in order to aain food security;• To provide adequate local infrastructure such that exisng and future development can be served;• To ensure sustainability of the natural resources for a well-balanced and disaster-resilient environment; • To foster a posive, interacve relaonship with the public, and encourage cizen involvement in public nancial management;• To promote good health for all regardless of their status in life;• To provide quality educaon for all school-age populaon;• To provide jusce for all and minimize the presence of all sort of crimes if impossible to fully eradicate it;• To provide safe, potable and sustainable water supply to ensure the health and well-being of the populace;• To provide opportunies for preserving the municipality’s unique history through maintaining and enhancing eco-tourism areas and cultural tourism aracons;• To reinforce the municipality’s image and identy as a community of excellence for residents and businesses through quality land use management and pracces;• To build up a sound nancial management system so as to provide adequate nancial resources to meet the development needs of the town.PROMOTE UPRIGHT GOVERNANCE AND RESPONSIBLE PEOPLECertified Most Sustainable and Liveable Municipality311

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• Integrity First We commit to provide high quality products as zealous as protecng our reputaon. We value trustworthiness by choosing to do what is right even when no one is watching. We envision ourselves in the forefront of naon building by adhering to our government obligaons, being proponents of transparency, and to be advocates of lawful business pracces. • Empowering People As a company, we are constantly redening our objecves, expectaons, and limits. Our people are our lifeblood. We strive to create an atmosphere that appreciates, inspires, and enables everyone to transcend their potenals. And we recognize their value by ensuring them the right compensaon and providing them with the best packages the industry could oer. • Transforming Communies With a business model focused on upliing the lives of our people, we, in turn, use our talents and treasures to make a dierence to those who need it most. We believe we have a responsibility to give back to the community through our IAM HOPE FOUNDATION. Whether via sponsorships, community service, or fundraising events, we shall foster a culture of generosity - for in giving do we receive. • Shaping Spirituality, The IAMWORLDWIDE community seeks to honor God by making an impact on the lives of our independent distributors, employees, and customers. We are but His stewards of this business and that it exists for the purpose of impacng people for eternity, making sure that all we do in and through the business honors Him. • Passion for Excellence Our endeavor entails pursuing what is right, over and over again. A habituaon of demanding more of our ourselves than our customers would. Through our persistence in nding beer ways of doing what we do, and by declaring & aaining ambious goals, we set new standards in our industry even exceeding our own expectaons. We do not rest on our achievements. Rather, we passionately build on them in our personal and professional journey, wherever we may be in the world. We in IAM WORLDWIDE are dedicated to empowering the Filipino. We believe in the consistent delivery of our products and services making us “The Most Sustainable Brand in the Philippines”CORE VALUESCertified Most Sustainable and Liveable Company316

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Certied Most Sustainable and Liveable CompanyPOLYSTAR GENERAL SERVICES, INC.The maintenance service and manpower supply were in full swing with the non-stop rise and surge of commercial and residenal properes in the country. It was for this reason that a young and energec entrepreneur in the person of Dr. Jemelene Go-Qui entered the cleaning and maintenance industry to help answer the demand. Thus the birth of her brainchild, which in years to come will be recognized as one of the country’s most trusted and in-demand companies: Polystar General Services Incorporated. Under the watchful vision and dynamic leadership of its hardworking President and CEO, Dr. Qui, the company mainly focused its objecves and resources towards connuous development, eld innovaon, and internal improvement, not only to meet the ever-changing challenges in the manpower supply industry but also to create and maintain relaonships with its current partners and clients. Inially set up as a sole proprietorship, Polystar was ocially incorporated on May 22, 2003. Since its incepon, Polystar has grown into a force to contend with as it has expanded its services all over the country. In the Luzon area, they operate in Paranaque (the rst and head oce), Cubao, Batangas, and Legazpi. They have also set up satellite oces in the Visayas: Bacolod, Iloilo, Cebu, and Boracay. Further down South in Mindanao, Polystar has branches in Zamboanga, General Santos, Davao, Cagayan de Oro, and Butuan. Polystar in Asia, the US, and Europe in the near future? The possibility is endless. EXPONENTIAL GROWTHVISION IS THE KEY To be the leader in the industry tops the list of Polystar’s visions. And for 20 years, it has reached that goal. With its roster of top-er clients like Ayala Property Management Corporaon, Ayala Land, Inc, DMCI Homes, Flinvest Alabang, Avida, Eton Properes, Jones Long Lasalle, Robinsons Homes, Robinsons Communies, Robinsons Land Corporaon, among others, Polystar has really come a long and glorious way since it was rst established. With the support of these presgious customers, Polystar General Services Incorporated has not ceased to give opmum quality services for decades now. Key to its connued success is the vision and mission that the company has adhered to since day one.DR. JEMELENE GO QUIPRESIDENT & CEOPOLYSTAR GENERAL SERVICES, INC.317

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CREATING A CULTURE OF COMPASSION Polystar is a major player in the eld, no doubt. But perhaps what propelled them to that pedestal of success and recognion is their core belief in a unique and o-pracced Filipino moral value and trait which is “malasakit” or compassion and caring for others. So to speak, they have taken the extra mile that goes just beyond the professional zones of making business deals and transacons. And this principle of making relaonships rst and foremost has clearly paid o. Apart from making good and reliable business es by giving the most outrageous sasfacon to the customers, key personnel of Polystar maintains a cordial relaonship with their clients and employees as well. It is no wonder why their clients keep coming back for their services and their employees are secure and content in being under Polystar’s care and providence. Indeed for both categories, Polystar is the top-of-mind agency in manpower services.COMPASSION FOR OPERATIONS According to Engr. Dan Patrick Legaspi, Polystar’s VP for Operaons, the arising need for manpower has returned to normal since the easing out of Covid-19 health protocols. The naon’s economy is back and is ready to recoup its losses due to the global pandemic. Hence, the company’s daily operaons resumed providing clients with skilled and experienced workers on site to carry out various jobs which include technical maintenance, engineering, housekeeping, messenger services, and other various trades. Before deployment, training, and brieng processes are facilitated to ensure that the following personnel holds in strict compliance with the policies and procedures of the assigned company in achieving opmum quality of service. While Polystar aims to always keep its clients sased, it also strives to keep employees content, happy, and healthy. The operaons department manages this area by monitoring producvity and performance through a work-life balance approach which results in company loyalty. If an employee is happy and secure in the workplace, not only does the company benet but also the employee’s family’s nancial security and well-being. So how do Polystar’s work processes and ethics sustainable and balanced amidst the pandemic? Mr. Legaspi says as much as they want training, leadership summits, and camaraderie oungs for their employees, the ght work schedule is a big hurdle, apart from Covid-19 health guidelines. But this does not mean that Polystar management is completely shung down the idea of a company R and R, knowing fully well that developing a regular fellowship with the employees should be a top priority that will benet both camps. Meanwhile, a couple of short but sweet gatherings are a staple in the workplace. Weekend get-togethers aer aending El Shaddai services are highly encouraged for a quick catch-up among employees. Company gestures like “BEST HR in Recruitment of the Month” have been started to boost their morale. Snacks are always available aer a hard day’s work. Training onsite with resource persons is a regular company acvity for employee growth and new learnings.Certified Most Sustainable and Liveable Company318

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COMPASSION FOR HUMAN RESOURCE There is no doubt that the pandemic has changed the way of living for most cizens. In the Philippines is no excepon. Studies show that burnout and isolaon have become alarming concerns globally. Polystar had to arrest and confront this important issue when hiring employees. “The most challenging aspect in managing the HR Department of Polystar is restarng and changing the atude of the team towards their work”, quips Luis Hernandez, Polystar’s Human Resources Manager. Perhaps it’s Covid-19’s aer-eect that some employees have no commitment to making their work situaon beer that they are complacent in being stagnant in their jobs. Nor do they look for a win-win situaon to improve their performance. Either way, the HR Department is coming up with measures and resoluons to solve this concern. They unceasingly pound and inculcate the benets of being a results-oriented person who holds a “do whatever it takes” atude. Seminars and team building can denitely help in this area. When asked about the Markeng Department’s strategy to recruit people, Mr. Soriano replied “A business plan is one of the most important in a company, this leads to exible and quickly adapt in the decision-making and problem-solving of the company” By oering irresisble oers to the target audience can bring leads to Polystar. The company has to be exible and have good planning and organizaonal skills. Providing good service to your customers is crucial to gaining their loyalty and retaining their business. To achieve the business success you need to be organized. It will help you complete tasks and stay on top of things to be done. Keeping all details recorded also when it comes to ling. Lastly, be creave and focus on the goals. Arming Operaons’s observaon, Polystar’s HR has doubled its eort to recruit employees, especially during holiday seasons wherein they need relievers due to sudden absenteeism of personnel. In-demand service is STP Operator, MSTs, and Housekeeping, preferably male employees. Clients request their services as soon as the request has been submied. This means it is upon the HR department’s shoulders to ll in the needed manpower. And this is where the Markeng Department comes in to help and support. Not only to draw customers, old and new, but to consider Polystar as the company to hire. Mr. Alvin Soriano, Polystar’s Markeng Manager, observed that the clear basis of selecng which agency to hire falls on these important factors: stability and eciency of the company. He adds, “The company must then have to cut above the rest towards its other competors like the company’s rates, the company’s reliability, and also the company’s ability to cater the wants and needs towards the client.” Without saying, Polystar ts the bill as they are, in so many words, the favorite of many clients for so many years. Let Mr. Soriano count the ways: Providing excellent service to the clients has been deemed to be one of the most important drivers in making a stable manpower company, excellent service grants the client gain trust in the company knowing that the quality of service and quality of work is reliable and consistent. This leads us to the next concern in recruing the best people for the jobs at Polystar. Quong Mr. Soriano’s insights, “Because of the technology nowadays, there are more market starts manpower companies however, there are sll dicules in recruing people. Most companies refer to the skills and specializaon of a person.” This led the Markeng Department to consider salary rates and benets that Polystar should provide because companies who give more, obviously get more. Certified Most Sustainable and Liveable Company319

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COMPASSION FOR THE INDUSTRY To recapitulate the insights and key observaons of Polystar’s key ocers, their priority is client sasfacon and they guarantee the organizaons and the employee are in a condion of congruity before the appointment and deployment. Face-to-face interviews or web video conferencing among clients and candidates are arranged remembering the ulmate objecve to urge beer percepon to get the best output. Furthermore, they invigorate customers propious about the latest work openings and the status of their applicaons through messages, sends, et cetera. By far, Polystar moreover oers exibility to the customers to look at their request as to the kind of work they require and can propel their points of view without any confusion. Quick response to the dierent needs of the client is a must. Polystar as a manpower services company purposely evaluates and picks an extensive variety of posions from housekeeping, grass-cung, landscaping, grass-cung, street sweeping, chandelier cleaning, glass window cleaning, façade cleaning, specialists, restorave sta, exceedingly skilled to unskilled authories, and even exceponally trained family helpers, among others. Polystar always aempts to give simply engaged qualied work arranged to stand up to a compeve market. It is moreover careful to their agents and applicants, the men and women who work with them all through the world. Everyone is considered an individual with respect to their advantages. Their associates are specialized and educated in each industry thus able to cater to and adequately source the best talent in the business. In order to connect skilled talent with industry, their recruitment agencies in the Philippines screen industry enhancements and work minutely on each demand. Moreover, a splendid talent pool in form of a digitally kept up resume database is kept up by us and we similarly aggregate addional candidates through job posngs and adversements on well-known job portals. In the near future perhaps, by means of online systems administraon media stages like Facebook, Linkedin, Google notwithstanding et cetera, and our recruitment agencies in the Philippines aract approaching candidates and can accomplish dynamic candidates consistently.Certified Most Sustainable and Liveable Company320

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Certied Most Sustainable and Reliable News Channel in the PhilippinesSMNI NEWS CHANNEL In this era of fake news and fabricated stories, SMNI holds the line for Filipinos worldwide; delivering you the truth that maers; fostering love for God and country. SMNI is under the franchise ownership of Swara Sug Media Corporaon and operates through free tv and several digital channels, & cable tv aliates naonwide. SSMC also maintains a network of radio staons across the Philippines. Apart from its television and radio businesses, Swara Sug Media Corporaon also owns a wide array of media-related enes engaged in pre and post-producon services, music recording, set design, audio-visual presentaons, and informaon-related online media services. The main studios are located in Davao City and Maka City. SMNI is also beamed live via online streaming worldwide. SMNI is also considered the fastest-growing broadcast media network in the Philippines. Seng the Standard For Excellence, the four SMNI 2022 Elecon Debates, which is a brainchild of the SMNI Founding Chairman, Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy, put SMNI in the Number one spot overnight above all the mainstream media. Subsequently, “On the Road with the Frontrunner,” SMNI Free LIVE Coverages Naonwide gave the seang President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and Vice President Inday Sara Duterte a cung edge over competors in the last naonal elecons.321PASTOR APOLLO C. QUIBOLOYFOUNDER, SONSHINE MEDIA NETwORK INTERNATIONAL

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SMNI is currently known for its strong An-Terrorism Stance. SMNI aims to educate the Filipino people, especially the youth, on how to avoid being lured and becoming vicms of CPP-NPA-NDF propaganda and recruitment taccs. It also works in partnership with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to bring jusce to the vicms of terrorism in the country. With its commitment to truth and jusce, SMNI inspires its audience to stand up and join the ght for a safer, more peaceful Philippines. Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy himself gives free airme to advocate for correcng the Philippine History that has been kept hidden from Filipinos for generaons because of terrorism. Sonshine Media Network Internaonal (SMNI) has emerged as a dynamic and inuenal media network that has transformed the broadcasng landscape through its commitment to truth, innovaon, and posive impact. This success story explores SMNI’s journey, highlighng its achievements, contribuons to society, and its unwavering dedicaon to providing quality programming. A Visionary Beginning: SMNI’s journey began with its founder, Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy, who recognized the power of media as a tool for spreading the Gospel of the Kingdom. Starng with radio programs such as “Pagsusi sa Kamatuoran” and “The Hour of Truth,” SMNI laid the foundaon for its mission to deliver truthful content to a wide audience.Certified Most Sustainable and Reliable News Channel in the Philippines322

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A Visionary Beginning:SMNI’s journey began with its founder, Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy, who recognized the power of media as a tool for spreading the Gospel of the Kingdom. Starng with radio programs such as “Pagsusi sa Kamatuoran” and “The Hour of Truth,” SMNI laid the foundaon for its mission to deliver truthful content to a wide audience.Expansion into Television:In 1991, SMNI ventured into television broadcasng with the launch of “The Hour of Truth” and later “Powerline.” These programs capvated audiences with their thought-provoking content and commitment to highlighng the truth. SMNI’s entry into television marked a signicant milestone in its mission to reach a larger viewer base.The Birth of SMNI:SMNI’s growth connued with the establishment of the ACQ-KBN (ACQ-Kingdom Broadcasng Network) and its subsequent rebranding as SMNI. With a renewed focus on religious, news, and public aairs programs, SMNI solidied its posion as a leading media network dedicated to delivering impacul content.Naonwide Reach:SMNI expanded its reach across the Philippines through partnerships with cable TV operators, enabling it to bring its programming to a broader audience. With the launch of new TV staons in Metro Manila, Davao, Sanago, and Butuan, SMNI’s coverage extended to key regions, connecng communies and sharing its messages of truth and hope.A Commitment to Truth and Innovaon:At the core of SMNI’s success is its unwavering commitment to truth and delivering accurate, unbiased news and informaon. Through its news and public aairs programming, SMNI tackles crucial issues, engages in invesgave journalism, and provides a plaorm for diverse voices to be heard.Diversicaon and Impacul Programming:SMNI’s programming extends beyond news, addressing a wide range of topics such as spirituality, social issues, entertainment, and educaon. With shows like “Give Us This Day,” “Sounds of Worship,” and “Quiet Moments,” SMNI oers a diverse array of content that caters to dierent interests and needs of its viewers.Certified Most Sustainable and Reliable News Channel in the Philippines323DR. MARLON C. ROSETEPresident, SMNI

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Embracing Technological Advancements:SMNI has embraced technological advancements to stay at the forefront of the media industry. By launching its News and Public Aairs channel, SMNI News Channel, and ulizing digital terrestrial television (DTT) technology, SMNI has connued to innovate and adapt to the changing media landscape.Posive Impact on Society:Beyond its broadcasng achievements, SMNI has made a posive impact on society through its philanthropic eorts. The network has iniated various humanitarian projects, responding to natural disasters, providing educaonal support, and oering assistance to those in need. SMNI’s commitment to social responsibility exemplies its role as a transformave media organizaon. Sonshine Media Network Internaonal (SMNI) stands as a shining example of a media network that has successfully transformed the broadcasng landscape through its commitment to truth, innovaon, and posive impact. From its humble beginnings in radio to its expansion into television and digital plaorms, SMNI has remained dedicated to delivering quality programming that informs, inspires, and uplis its viewers. As SMNI connues to evolve and adapt to the ever-changing media landscape, its unwavering commitment to truthful broadcasng ensures its connued success and inuence in the industry. To date, SMNI airs its own produced news and public aairs programs such as Pulso ng Bayan with Ay. Harry Roque, Problema Mo Itawag Kay Panelo with Ay. Salvador Panelo, Laban Kasama ang Bayan, Balita ng Bansa, Newsblast, SMNI Nightline News with MJ and Admar, Newsline World, Weekender World, Pinoy Legal Minds with Ay. Mark Tolenno and Rep. Migz Nograles, Dito sa Bayan ni Juan with the Chief Presidenal Legal Counsel Juan Ponce Enrile, Mga Doktor ng Bayan with Dr. Teddy Herbosa, Build PH with DICT Usec. Annamae Lamenllo, Business and Polics with Dante Klink Ang II, Statecra with Sass Rogando Sasot, Entrepinoy Revoluon with Dr. Carl Balita, OFW Helpline, OFW Ikaw ng Bida and Kabayan Abroad.As the founder Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy said:“SMNI is dedicated to the true news that will build up character, build up the truth within Filipinos and then build the Nation for that matter.”Certified Most Sustainable and Reliable News Channel in the Philippines324

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Awarded Most Exceptional Humanitarian Foundation in the PhilippinesEMPOWERING COMMUNITIES AND INSPIRING HOPE: THE SUCCESS STORY OF SMNI FOUNDATION, INC.SMNI FOUNDATION INC. (SMNIFI) SMNI Foundaon Incorporated (SMNIFI) stands as the corporate social responsibility arm of SMNI News Channel, driven by a deep-rooted commitment to upliing the lives of the underprivileged. Founded under the visionary leadership of Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy, SMNIFI traces its origins to Pastor Quiboloy’s longstanding advocacy of helping the poor, parcularly the vicms of calamies. With this noble mission, SMNIFI was born to consolidate and amplify eorts in providing assistance and support to those in need. Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy: A Champion of Humanitarianism: Long before the establishment of SMNIFI, Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy, the founder of SMNI, gained recognion for his unwavering dedicaon to humanitarian causes. His deep empathy for the plight of the impoverished and his commitment to providing relief to calamity-stricken communies set the stage for the formaon of SMNIFI. Pastor Quiboloy’s vision and advocacy inspired the creaon of a dedicated plaorm that could channel resources, mobilize volunteers, and extend mely aid to those aected by natural disasters. The Birth of SMNI Foundaon Incorporated: Driven by a genuine concern for the welfare of the vulnerable, SMNI Foundaon Incorporated emerged as the tangible embodiment of Pastor Quiboloy’s philanthropic aspiraons. Recognizing the urgency and importance of organized assistance during calamies, SMNIFI was established to coordinate and streamline relief eorts, ensuring a more eecve and impacul response.SMNIFI: Catalyst for Change and Social Impact: SMNIFI operates as a catalyst for change, focusing on various iniaves aimed at empowering communies and transforming lives. The foundaon’s mulfaceted approach encompasses immediate relief operaons, healthcare services, livelihood programs, and advocacies that address the diverse needs of individuals and communies aected by calamies.PASTOR APOLLO C. QUIBOLOYFOUNDING CHAIRMAN SMNI FOUNDATION INC. (SMNIFI)325

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One of the fundamental necessies during mes of crisis is access to sustenance. During calamies, SMNIFI proudly distribute sacks of rice per family. Rice, being a staple food for many, holds immense signicance in nourishing individuals and families facing challenging circumstances. By providing sacks of rice, SMNIFI strives to ensure that no one goes hungry, fostering a sense of stability and hope amidst dicult mes. Furthermore, SMNIFI’s commitment to holisc assistance extends to the provision of buckets lled with essenal supplies. These buckets serve as reservoirs of support, containing a myriad of items necessary for survival and well-being. From hygiene products to non-perishable food items, SMNIFI meculously curates the contents of each bucket to address the most pressing needs of those aected by crises. By oering diverse supplies, SMNIFI acknowledges the mulfaceted challenges individuals face and aim to alleviate their burden. Recognizing that safe and clean drinking water is a fundamental requirement, SMNIFI has expanded its aid eorts to include potable water in reusable gallons. SMNIFI understands the importance of access to clean water for hydraon, sanitaon, and overall well-being. By providing reusable gallons, SMNIFI not only meet immediate needs but also promote sustainability, encouraging individuals to rell and reuse the containers, minimizing waste and ensuring a long-lasng soluon to their water requirements. Through SMNIFI’s comprehensive approach, it strives to empower individuals and communies to overcome adversity and regain stability. SMNIFI believes that by going beyond the distribuon of plasc bags and embracing the provision of rice sacks, buckets of essenal supplies, and potable water with reusable gallons, it can make a signicant impact on the beneciaries’ lives. SMNIFI aims to oer tangible support that not only addresses immediate necessies but also fosters resilience, self-suciency, and a sense of dignity.Certified Most Sustainable and Liveable Foundation327

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As we adapt to the evolving needs of the communies we serve, our commitment remains resolute. We endeavor to meet not only the immediate requirements but also the long-term needs for sustenance, stability, and access to clean water. By extending a helping hand and providing comprehensive assistance, we strive to bring about posive change and inspire hope, one person, one family, and one community at a me.Healthcare Services: In addion to material aid, SMNIFI recognizes the importance of addressing the physical and mental well-being of disaster vicms. The foundaon establishes medical clinics, deploys healthcare professionals, and organizes medical missions to provide essenal medical care, treatment, and psychological support to those aected. By aending to the immediate health needs of the community, SMNIFI plays a crucial role in restoring hope and resilience.Livelihood Programs: SMNIFI rmly believes in empowering individuals and communies by equipping them with the skills and resources to regain economic independence. The foundaon provides livelihood training programs, entrepreneurship guidance, and access to nancial resources, enabling disaster vicms to rebuild their lives and establish sustainable income-generang acvies. Through these iniaves, SMNIFI not only restores livelihoods but also fosters self-suciency and empowerment within aected communies.Advocacies: SMNIFI goes beyond immediate relief and rehabilitaon eorts by championing advocacies that promote long-term development. The foundaon acvely engages in disaster preparedness campaigns, peacebuilding iniaves, educaonal support, and environmental conservaon projects. By raising awareness and mobilizing stakeholders, SMNIFI strives to create a posive and lasng impact on society.Collaboraons and Partnerships:SMNIFI recognizes that collaboraon is key to achieving sustainable impact. The foundaon acvely collaborates with government agencies, non-prot organizaons, corporate partners, and volunteers to maximize its reach and eecveness. By pooling together resources, experse, and networks, these partnerships amplify the impact of SMNIFI’s iniaves, enabling the foundaon to extend its assistance to a wider range of beneciaries.The Impact of SMNI Foundaon Incorporated:The success of SMNIFI can be measured by the transformed lives and uplied communies it has touched. The stories of individuals who have regained hope, rebuilt their lives, and contributed to their communies stand as a testament to the foundaon’s impact. SMNIFI’s dedicaon to providing comprehensive assistance has not only alleviated immediate suering but also empowered individuals to become agents of change in their own lives and communies. SMNIFI is a compassionate and proacve force in addressing the needs of families aected by terrorism and injusce. Through its comprehensive support programs, advocacy iniaves, and collaborave partnerships, SMNIFI gives them nancial assistance providing the beneciaries foong and empowerment to strive and restore hope. Internaonal stakeholders such as the Peoples Republic of China Embassy to the Philippines have linked arms with SMNIFI seeing that the help they give to the SMNIFI reaches the targeted beneciaries eciently. SMNI Foundaon Incorporated stands as a testament to the compassionate and unwavering commitment of Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy and the enre SMNI organizaon to serve the underprivileged, parcularly the vicms of calamies. Through its various iniaves, SMNIFI has created a plaorm for transformave change, oering immediate relief, promong long-term development, and empowering communies. With a focus on collaboraon and sustainable impact.Certified Most Sustainable and Liveable Foundation328

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DIRECTORYPHILANTHROPIST OF THE YEARDR. JEMELENE GO QUIPRESIDENT & CEOPOLYSTAR GENERAL SERVICES, INC.Barangay Moonwalk, Paranaque CityCONGRESSMAN OF THE YEARHON. ERNESTO M. DIONISIO, JR.Representative, Manila, 1st DistrictRm. RVM-417, House of RepresentativesBatasan Complex, Batasan Hills, Quezon CityHON. WILTER Y. PALMADeputy Majority LeaderRepresentative, Zamboanga Sibugay, 1st DistrictRm. SWA-406, House of RepresentativesBatasan Complex, Batasan Hills, Quezon CityHON. RAMON JOLO B. REVILLA, IIIRepresentative, Cavite, 1st DistrictRm. SW-113, House of Representatives Batasan Complex, Batasan Hills, Quezon CityHON. MICHAEL L. ROMERO, Ph.D.Representative, Party List - 1-PACMANRm. SWA-319, House of RepresentativesBatasan Complex, Batasan Hills, Quezon CityHON. ERIC GO YAPRepresentative, Benguet, Lone DistrictRm. MB-S 324, House of RepresentativesBatasan Complex, Batasan Hills, Quezon CityHON. JULIENNE “JAM” L. BARONDADeputy Majority LeaderRepresentative, Iloilo City, Lone DistrictRm. NW-608, House of RepresentativesBatasan Complex, Batasan Hills, Quezon CityHON. MARGARITA IGNACIA B. NOGRALESRepresentative, Party List – PBARm. RVM - 410, House of RepresentativesBatasan Complex, Batasan Hills, Quezon CityHON. FLORIDA “RIDA” P. ROBESRepresentative, San Jose Del Monte City, Lone District Rm. NW-513, House of RepresentativesBatasan Complex, Batasan Hills, Quezon CityHON. SHERNEE A. TAN-TAMBUTRepresentative, Party List - KUSUG TAUSUGRm. NW-615, House of RepresentativesBatasan Complex, Batasan Hills, Quezon CityHON. MARJORIE ANN A. TEODORORepresentative, Marikina City, 1st DistrictRm. RVM-416, House of RepresentativesBatasan Complex, Batasan Hills, Quezon CityGOVERNOR OF THE YEARHON. FREDENIL CASTROGOVERNOR, CAPIZOffice of the Governor, Provincial CapitolRoxas City, Capiz, Philippines 5800HON. EDWIN I. JUBAHIBGOVERNOR, DAVAO DEL NORTEOffice of the Governor, 2/F Provincial Capitol Bldg., Mankilam 8100 Tagum City, Davao Del Norte, PhilippinesBOARD MEMBER OF THE YEARHON. RAMON VICENTE “RAM REVILLA” M. BAUTISTA, NATIONAL PRESIDENT, PROVINCIAL BOARD MEMBERS LEAGUE OF THE PHILIPPINESBOARD MEMBER- CAVITE2nd Floor, Legislative Building, Provincial Capitol4109 Trece Martires City, Cavite, PhilippinesHON. KRISTA PIÑOL-SOLISBOARD MEMBER – NORTH COTABATOOffice of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, Provincial Capitol 9400 Kidapawan City, North Cotabato, PhilippinesHON. GLENN ANTHONY A. SOCOBOARD MEMBER – CEBUOffice of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, Provincial Capitol 6000 Cebu City, Cebu, PhilippinesLOCAL CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR HON. MARIA LOURDES M. ALEJANDRINOMAYOR, GOVERNMENT OF ARAYAT, PAMPANGAOffice of the Mayor, Arayat Municipal Hall2012 Arayat, Pampanga, PhilippinesHON. DARWIN E. BAJADAMAYOR, GOVERNMENT OF SAN DIONISIO, ILOILO PROVINCE, Municipal Mayor, Municipality of San Dionisio Municipal Hall San Dionisio, IloiloATTY. AGATHA PAULA “AGAY” A. CRUZMAYOR, MUNICIPALITY OF GUIGUINTO, BULACANOffice of the Mayor, Guiguinto Municipal Hall3015 Guiguinto, BulacanHON. JOHN M. DALIPECITY MAYOR, CITY GOVERNMENT OF ZAMBOANGAOffice of the Mayor, City Hall N.S. Valderrama St., Zone IV, Zamboanga City HON. CAESAR “JAYCEE” S. DY, JR.MAYOR, CITY GOVERNMENT OF CAUAYAN, ISABELASB Office, Cauayan City Hall Building107 Rizal Ave, District III Cauayan City, Isabela, PhilippinesATTY. RAJIV V. ENADMAYOR, GOVERNMENT OF MINGLANILLA, CEBUOffice of the Mayor, Minglanilla Municipal BuildingMinglanilla, Cebu, PhilippinesHON. SALVADOR G. ESCALANTE, JR.MAYOR, GOVERNMENT OF CADIZ CITY, NEGROS OCCIDENTALOffice of the Mayor, Cadiz City Hall, Cabahug St., Cadiz City, PhilippinesATTY. JOSE PAULO M. EVANGELISTAMAYOR, CITY GOVERNMENT OF KIDAPAWANOffice of the Mayor, Kidapawan City HallKidapawan City, North CotabatoHON. JOEDITH C. GALLEGOMAYOR, CITY GOVERNMENT OF SILAY, NEGROS OCCIDENTALOffice of the Mayor, Silay City Hall Zamora St.,Silay City, Negros Occidental, Philippines 6116HON. JOSE CARLOS L. CARIMAYOR, GOVERNMENT OF BAYBAY CITY, LEYTE, Office of the Mayor, Baybay City Hall, R. Magsaysay Avenue Baybay City, Leyte 6521MICHAEL MARCOS KEONCITY MAYOR, GOVERNMENT OF LAOAG CITY, ILOCOS NORTE Laoag City Hall ComplexAG Tupaz St., Brgy. 10 San Jose, Laoag City 2900 Ilocos Norte PHHON. ATTY. CARLO JOSE A. MARTINEZMAYOR, GOVERNMENT OF BOGO CITY, CEBUOffice of the Mayor, New City HallCayang, City of Bogo, Cebu, Philippines 6010HON. ELIZABETH T. MATUGASMAYOR, GOVERNMENT OF DAPA, SURIGAO DEL NORTEMunicipality of Dapa, Surigao Del Norte,PhilippinesHON. MARILOU F. MORILLOCITY MAYOR, CITY GOVERNMENT OF CALAPAN Office of the Mayor, Calapan City Hall5200 Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro, PhilippinesHON. PHILIP S. NAGUIT MAYOR, GOVERNMENT OF MINALIN, PAMPANGAOffice of the Mayor, Minalin Municipal Hall2019 Minalin, Pampanga, PhilippinesHON. ARTURO B. ROBESMAYOR, CITY GOVERNMENT OF SAN JOSE DEL MONTE, BULACAN Office of the Mayor, City Hall PoblacionSan Jose Del Monte - Marilao Rd. 3023 Lungsod ng San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan, PhilippinesHON. BERNANDINO G. TACOYMAYOR, MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT OF MATAG-OB, LEYTEOffice of the Mayor, Municipal HallMcArthur St., San Guillermo, Matag-ob, LeyteVICE MAYOR OF THE YEARHON. EMMANUEL M. ALEJANDRINOVICE MAYOR, GOVERNMENT OF ARAYAT, PAMPANGAOffice of the Vice Mayor, Arayat Municipal Hall2012 Arayat, Pampanga, PhilippinesHON. JUSTIN G. COLAGOVICE MAYOR, CITY GOVERNMENT OF SAN PABLO, LAGUNAOffice of the Vice Mayor, New Capitol Bldg, City Capitol Compound San Pablo City, Laguna Philippines 4000HON. LILIA O. DECOLONGONVICE MAYOR, GOVERNMENT OF CADIZ CITY, NEGROS OCCIDENTALOffice of the Vice Mayor 2Nd Floor, Cadiz City Hall, Cabahug St., Cadiz City, PhilippinesHON. BERNARD “NINONG” C. DELA CRUZNATIONAL CHAIRMAN, VICE MAYORS LEAGUE OF THE PHILIPPINESVICE MAYOR, GOVERNMENT OF MALABONOffice of the Vice Mayor, Malabon City HallF., Sevilla Boulevard, San Agustin, Malabon CityHON. JOSEPHINE S. EVANGELISTAMUNICIPAL VICE MAYOR, GOVERNMENT OF LOS BAÑOS, LAGUNA2/F Municipal Building, National Highway, Brgy. Timugan Los Baños, Laguna, 4030, Philippines

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DIRECTORYHON. JULIET JAMITO MACAPAZ VICE MAYOR, MUNICIPALITY OF JOSE DALMAN, ZAMBOANGA DEL NORTE Office of the Vice Mayor, Jose Dalman Municipal HallPoblacion, Jese Dalman, Zamboanga Del NorteHON. HALIMA B. MUÑOZVICE MAYOR, GOVERNMENT OF MABINI, DAVAO DE OROOffice of the Vice Mayor, Mabini, Municipal Building8807 Mabini, Davao de OroHON. JOHN MARVIN “YUL SERVO” C. NIETOVICE MAYOR, CITY GOVERNMENT OF MANILAOffice of the Vice Mayor, Manila City HallArroceros Street. Ermita Manila, PhilippinesHON. VERONICA C. RAMIREZVICE MAYOR, GOVERNMENT OF GUIUAN, EASTERN SAMAROffice of the Vice Mayor, Guiuan Municipal Building6811 Guiuan, Eastern SamarHON. JAY B. SIGUEVICE MAYOR, CITY GOVERNMENT OF TOLEDO, CEBUOffice of the Vice Mayor, CMO Extension, Toledo Commercial Village, Poblacion, Toledo City, Cebu Philippines 6038COUNCILOR OF THE YEARHON. KERT LEAN N. CABADONGACOUNCILOR, GOVERNMENT OF DON CARLOS, BUKIDNONSB Office, Don Carlos Municipal Building8712 Damulog, Bukidnon, PhilippinesHON. HANDY T. LAONATIONAL PRESIDENT, PHILIPPINE COUNCILORS LEAGUE PCL PRESIDENT, PROVINCE OF ILOCOS NORTE COUNCILOR, CITY GOVERNMENT OF LAOAG, Sangguniang Panlungsod Office, City HallBarangay 9, Sta. Angela, Laoag CityHON. RICHELLE P. NAGUITCOUNCILOR, GOVERNMENT OF MINALIN, PAMPANGA, SB Office, Legislative Building 2019 Minalin, PampangaHON. MARKY “KONSITORNI” S. OLIVEROSCOUNCILOR, CITY GOVERNMENT OF SAN PEDRO, LAGUNA 3rd Floor, Sangguniang Panlungsod Session Hall, New City Hall, Brgy. Poblacion, City of San Pedro, LagunaBARANGAY CAPTAIN OF THE YEARHON. RAYMUND A. BALAGAPOBARANGAY CAPTAIN, BARANGAY 109, TACLOBAN CITYGorgoña Ave cor Santan Street V&G Subdivision, Tacloban City 6500HON. EVA MARIE RIO-FIANZABARANGAY CAPTAIN, BARANGAY HAPPY HOMES, OLD LUCBAN, BAGUIO CITY#1 Happy Homes, Old Lucban, Baguio City 2600PUBLIC SERVANT OF THE YEARPGEN BENJAMIN C. ACORDA, JR.CHIEF, PHILIPPINE NATIONAL POLICEPNP NATIONAL HEADQUARTERSCamp BGen Rafael T Crame,Quezon City, Metro ManilaENP. KRISNAH MARIE H. ALAYANMUNICIPAL PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR &DESIGNATED ZONING ADMINISTRATORLOCAL GOVERNMENT UNIT OF AGDANGAN, QUEZONPoblacion 1, Agdangan, QuezonHON. JEZRYL D. RECLASK FEDERATION VICE PRESIDENT, CADIZ CITYSK CHAIRPERSON, BARANGAY VF GUSTILO, CADIZ CITYHda. Bjormaine, Barangay VF Gustillo, Cadiz City, Negros Occidental 6121MODERN FILIPINA HEROISM OF THE YEAR MS. LYNETTE MEDINAMRS UNIVERSE NORTHERN 2021 (HELD IN JUNE 2022)PHYSIOTHERAPY ASSISTANTGUY’S AND ST THOMAS’ NHS FOUNDATION TRUSTLONDON, UNITED KINGDOM91 Driffield Way, Peterborough, CambridgeshireMOST EMPOWERED WOMAN OF THE YEARMS. GEM CASTILLOCEOPASEO DE SAN PABLOF. Amante Drive, San Jose MalamigSan Pablo City, Laguna, Philippines, 4000CERTIFIED MOST SUSTAINABLE & LIVEABLE PARTY LISTHON. MICHAEL L. ROMERO, Ph.D.Representative, Party List - 1-PACMANRm. SWA-319, House of RepresentativesBatasan Complex, Batasan Hills, Quezon CityCERTIFIED MOST SUSTAINABLE AND LIVEABLE DISTRICTHON. WILTER Y. PALMADeputy Majority LeaderRepresentative, Zamboanga Sibugay, 1 st DistrictRm. SWA-406, House of RepresentativesBatasan Complex, Batasan Hills, Quezon CityHON. FLORIDA “RIDA” P. ROBESRepresentative, San Jose Del Monte City, Lone District Rm. NW-513, House of RepresentativesBatasan Complex, Batasan Hills, Quezon CityCERTIFIED MOST SUSTAINABLE & LIVEABLE PROVINCEHON. EDWIN I. JUBAHIBGOVERNOR, DAVAO DEL NORTEOffice of the Governor, 2/F Provincial Capitol Bldg., Mankilam8100 Tagum City, Davao Del Norte, PhilippinesCERTIFIED MOST SUSTAINABLE & LIVEABLE CITYHON. JOHN M. DALIPECITY MAYOR, CITY GOVERNMENT OF ZAMBOANGAOffice of the Mayor, City HallN.S. Valderrama St., Zone IV, Zamboanga City HON. SALVADOR G. ESCALANTE, JR.MAYOR, GOVERNMENT OF CADIZ CITY, NEGROS OCCIDENTALOffice of the Mayor, Cadiz City Hall, Cabahug St., Cadiz City, PhilippinesATTY. JOSE PAULO M. EVANGELISTAMAYOR, CITY GOVERNMENT OF KIDAPAWANOffice of the Mayor, Kidapawan City HallKidapawan City, North CotabatoHON. MARILOU F. MORILLOCITY MAYOR, CITY GOVERNMENT OF CALAPAN Office of the Mayor, Calapan City Hall5200 Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro, PhilippinesHON. MARJORIE P. PERALESMAYOR, GOVERNMENT OF TOLEDO CITY, CEBU Office of the Mayor, CMO Extension, Toledo Garden City HallBarangay Ilihan, Toledo City, Cebu Philippines 6038HON. MARIA LOURDES A. REYNOSO-PONTIOSOMAYOR, GOVERNMENT OF TAYABAS CITY, QUEZONOffice of the Mayor, Tayabas City Hall2/F Tahanang Bayan, J.P. Rizal Street, Tayabas City, 4327, PhilippinesHON. ARTURO B. ROBESMAYOR, CITY GOVERNMENT OF SAN JOSE DEL MONTE, BULACAN Office of the Mayor, City Hall PoblacionSan Jose Del Monte - Marilao Rd. 3023 Lungsod ng San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan, PhilippinesCERTIFIED MOST SUSTAINABLE & LIVEABLE MUNICIPALITYHON. MARIA LOURDES M. ALEJANDRINOMAYOR, GOVERNMENT OF ARAYAT, PAMPANGAOffice of the Mayor, Arayat Municipal Hall2012 Arayat, Pampanga, PhilippinesHON. ALBERTO “ALI” J. BONGCAWELMAYOR, GOVERNMENT OF SIAYAN, ZAMBOANGA DEL NORTEOffice of the Mayor, Siayan Municipal Building7113 Siayan, Zamboanga del NorteATTY. RAJIV V. ENADMAYOR, GOVERNMENT OF MINGLANILLA, CEBUOffice of the Mayor, Minglanilla Municipal BuildingMinglanilla, Cebu, PhilippinesHON. ELIZABETH T. MATUGASMAYOR, GOVERNMENT OF DAPA, SURIGAO DEL NORTEMunicipality of Dapa, Surigao Del Norte, PhilippinesCERTIFIED MOST SUSTAINABLE & LIVEABLE COMPANYDR. JEMELENE GO QUIPRESIDENT & CEOPOLYSTAR GENERAL SERVICES, INC.Barangay Moonwalk, Paranaque CityMR. ALLEN MARVIN YU EDERPRESIDENT & FOUNDERIAM WORLDWIDE CORPORATIONUnit 3, CBC (China Banking Corporation) Building# 14 Ortigas Avenue, Greenhills, San Juan City, Metro ManilaCERTIFIED MOST SUSTAINABLE & LIVEABLE ORGANIZATIONMR. ARNOLD VEGAFRIAPRESIDENT & CEOMISS WORLD PHILIPPINES ORGANIZATION

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SIR KARL MCLEAN, KSTCHAIRMAN & PUBLISHERSUSTAINABILITY STANDARDS, INC.KENNETH PRIETO ROCETEPRESIDENT & CEOSUSTAINABILITY STANDARDS, INC“We need comprehensive and up-to-date educational materials to supplement the reduction of organizations carbon emissions based on measurements, offset usage and within the environmental limits as we need to bring sustainable development beneﬁts to Communities, Cities, Municipalities, Province and Districts, such as improved air and water quality, improved income, reduced energy consumption, eradicate poverty and hunger, guaranteeing a healthy life. Universalize access to basic services such as water, sanitation and sustainable energy. Support the generation of development opportunities through inclusive education and decent work”.Karl McLean is a professional CEO having run many large corporations around the world including Digital Equipment Asia Paciﬁc, Polaroid Asia Paciﬁc, Hitachi Data Systems. At 26 he was made Managing Director of Hamilton Rentals a large Canadian company responsible for computer rentals in Germany and Holland and was also responsible for many start up Marketing and IT companies and company turnarounds. He was educated in Europe and qualiﬁed as an accountant. He has spent the past 37 years in Asia and Paciﬁc. He is afﬂuent in seven international language and can write in English, Dutch, German, French, Spanish, Mandarin and Danish.Entrepreneur, Rotary Club President, UN SDGs Advocate for Climate Change Action, PR Strategist and an indefatigable civic leader.He graduated from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines with a Bachelor of Science degree in Entrepreneurial Management in 2003.He earned Units (Undergraduate) in Master’s in Cooperative Finance and Public Administration at the Southern LuzonUniversity in 2005. He is currently taking up Master’s Degree in Crisis Management at the Philippine Christian University.He is the author and publisher of the “Nation Builders” and “Certiﬁed Most Sustainable and Liveable Communities” with copyright and exclusive distribution in the Philippines.He was able to secure ﬁve Copyrights and Forty (40) IPO Registrations together with the Nation Builders and MOSLIV Awards as its ﬂagship project in the Philippines, with an estimated bi-annual attendance of 1,200 VVIP’s, making the NBMA Awards Gala as the Number 1 Sustainability Awards Festival in Asia.