CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- For the second time in a row, Mayor Edwin Santiago has been chosen as one of the country's most outstanding mayor by the prestigious worldwide organization Superbrands Marketing International (SMI).
The mayor personally received the recognition from SMI officials last March 16 at The City Club in Makati City. He was awarded along with 19 local chief executives (LCEs) nationwide for their excellence in leading and influencing their constituents to be part of nation building.
“These LCEs [including Mayor Santiago] where assessed to have delivered efficient public service that is consistent in addressing inevitable issues, manages the problem strategically and head-on,” explained SMI president Harry Tambuatco.
SMI deemed that Santiago’s programs on social services, projects on economic development, responsible governance, social services, inclusive and sustainable growth, among others, are worthy of the title “outstanding.”
“I am greatly humbled for this recognition. Being labeled as ‘outstanding’ is a realization of a huge life dream of mine. I am truly and honestly thrilled to be here with this award for the second time,” said Santiago.
“I did not make the journey here alone. Numerous people have supported me along the way. My fellow officials, the city government, and of course my Fernandino constituents, we all worked hard for this award,” he added.
Some of the Santiago administration’s accomplishments include the city’s fourth most business friendly city title and the collection of P1-billion revenues without increasing taxes.
With Santiago’s stewardship, San Fernando was named as the second most competitive city in the Philippines by the National Competitiveness Council, Most Child-Friendly LGU by the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Best City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council by the Office of Civil Defense, and many more.
Along with Santiago in the MOMA rosters are two other mayors in Pampanga, Edgardo Pamintuan of Angeles City and Emmanuel Alejandrino of Arayat. (CSF-CIO)