CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Mayor Edwin Santiago has been chosen as one of the country's most outstanding mayor for the year 2015 by the prestigious worldwide organization Superbrands Marketing International (SMI).
The mayor personally received this recognition from the SMI officials headed by president Harry Tambuatco and chairman Karl Maclean at Makati Sports Club last March 25.
The MOMA (Most Outstanding Mayor Award) promotes the works of the mayors for their singular or collective efforts toward nation building. SMI deemed that Santiago’s programs on social services, projects on climate change, biodiversity education, housing, peace and order, health, infrastructure, income and livelihood are worthy of the title “outstanding”.
“This award is not because of just one man, this is the result of collaborative efforts in our local government,” said the mayor, noting that “awards, for me, are gauges to measure how the government serves the people.”
The mayor, during his first term, created a 12-point agenda that now serves as the local government unit’s springboard to the promotion of inclusive growth among Fernandinos. These sustainable development programs address the birth-to-retirement needs of the citizenry, "making the City of San Fernando, Pampanga, a livable home for everyone."
With his stewardship, the local government unit bagged its fourth most business friendly city title and was able to collect P1-billion in revenues without increasing taxes.
"Our battle cry 'Fernandino First' is a call for excellence. It is ever present that, when responded to, will turn the ordinary into the extraordinary, and will make possible our vision of inclusive growth for all," he furthered.
Along with Santiago in the MOMA rosters are two other mayors in Pampanga, Edgardo Pamintuan of Angeles City and Emmanuel Alejandrino of Arayat.
Other awardees are Joseph Estrada of Manila, Herbert Bautista of Quezon City, Esterlina Aguinaldo of Praxedes, Cagayan Valley, Celso Dator of Lucban, Quezon, Bernard Dy of Cauayan, Isabela, Faustino Dy III of San Manuel Isabela, Napoleon Edquid of Candelaria, Zambales, Gerald Galvez, Sophia Palacio of Calatagan Batangas, Shierre Palicpic of Pagbilao, Quezon, Reynaldo Parojinog of Ozamis, Misamis Occidental, Meyanardo Sabili of Lipa, Batangas, and Ferdinand Sales of Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte. (CSF-CIO)