Nicor-Mangilumtan awarded PH most outstanding mayor

GLOBAL branding and marketing firm Superbrands Marketing Incorporated (SMI) has awarded La Castellana Mayor Rhumyla Nicor-Mangilimutan as one of the most outstanding mayors in the country this year.

Nicor-Mangilimutan received the recognition from SMI executives led by its publisher Karl Mclaen in rites held at the town's auditorium Thursday night.

"I am surprised for our normal way of serving our constituents has been recognized by a private award giving body," she said, adding that "I am so proud, it is for the people of La Castellana."

Nicor-Mangilimutan is one of the 25 recipients of the award, which is now on its 8th edition. She is the only Negrense mayor, so far, who have received the citation.

From about 1,600 mayors in the Philippines, SMI shortlisted 300 qualified local chief executives from which the winners were chosen.

The southern Negros Occidental mayor, in her acceptance speech, thanked her colleagues including the members of the Municipal Council, barangay officials, and government agencies like the Department of Education for their help to the local government.

"This award challenges us to strive more in making sure that government programs and services are felt by the people," Nicor-Mangilimutan said, adding that "it motivates me to further prove to myself that I deserve this recognition."

For SMI's part, its publisher said the award was conceptualized after they thought of producing a book that focuses on the projects that the mayors and local legislators are doing.

Mclaen said this would allow people to know what their leaders are doing to build the nation.

"Nation building is not just about the President and senators, it is also the mayors, vice mayors and councilors who all play a part of building the nation," he added.

Being in the business for more than 25 years, Superbrands is specialized in identifying brands with at par quality.

With head office in London, the firm operates in 93 countries globally.

Mclaen said the award, also given to other government officials and professionals, is being initiated only in the Philippines.

He cited agriculture development as one of the strengths of La Castellana.

"This is a very strong agriculture place and no one one, or not everybody, knows this so we would like to write about it," Mclaen added.

Moreover, the recognition is based on the programs executed and project accomplished focusing on infrastructure, social responsibility, environment, education, health, livelihood, socio-economic, accountability and transparency, among others.

"We are looking at the mayors' wholistic performance," said Kenneth Prieto Rocete, marketing director of SMI.

Rocete said the one-year assessment period is from July 2016 to July 2017. Qualified mayors should have no pending records at the Ombudsman, not a narco-politician, and not involve in any illegal activities like jueteng.

"Local mayors may promote Superbrands by serving as ambassadors while on our part, we will promote their localities internationally through our international publication website," he added.

Nicor-Mangilimutan along with other awardees received copies of customized Most Outstanding Mayor Award books published by Superbrands, which were also distributed to top 1,000 leading corporations as well as libraries in the country. (EPN)