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Friday, May 12, 2017
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BACOLOD City – This city was chosen by The Manila Times as the “most livable urban center” in the Philippines.
The 119-year-old publication named Bacolod the Top Philippine Model City from among a shortlist of 37 select metropolises.
Bacolod was the only Visayan city left when the shortlist was trimmed down to 13 finalists.
Mayor Evelio Leonardia led city officials in accepting the award during a ceremony at the New World Manila Bay Hotel in Manila on Thursday.
“This credible and prestigious award validates what Bacolod is now,” said Leonardia. “This inspires us even more to promote a culture of excellence … [and] cultivate a high sense of responsibility [among] our people.”
Rounding out the final 13 were (in alphabetical order) Batangas, Davao, General Santos, Laoag, Mandaluyong, Naga, Parañaque, Quezon, San Fernando, Santa Rosa, Tagaytay, and Zamboanga.
These cities also received special awards based on several social indicators in the following criteria: Peace and Security, Rest and Recreation, Research and Development, Health and Education, Clean and Green, Road and Home, Livelihood and Employment, Youth and Elders, Tax and Services, and Emergency/Disaster Preparedness.
In a statement, Rep. Greg Gasataya (Lone District) said, “Bacolod City is indeed not just back on track but back on top.”
“We assure everyone of our continuous cooperation for our city to address concerns that need immediate solution,” he added.
According to Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran, the award “proves that Bacolod is one of the fastest growing cities in the country.”
The Manila Times’ “Philippine Model Cities” is a forum that aims to recognize effective and innovative local governance that improves the quality of life and make local business environments friendlier.
It touches on urban planning and sustainability development for the Philippines that would make cities environmentally sustainable and conducive to work-life balance.
Judges included prominent Filipino urban planner Felino Palafox Jr., founder and managing partner of Palafox Associates; lawyer Lea Roque, head of Tax Advisory and Compliance Division of P&A Grant Thornton; Rosemarie Bosch-Ong, director of Wilcon Depot; and Marife Zamora, chairman of Convergys Philippines Services Corp.
Also present were Dante Ang II, president, chief executive officer and executive editor of The Manila Times, and father Dr. Dante Ang, the paper’s chairman emeritus and newly appointed presidential special envoy for international public relations./PN
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