MAYOR Edpam is in his last term as Angeles City's chief executive. He is riding the sun and he is riding it in style.
At the onset of his final term (for now), he was elected as the new president of League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP). This is one position of power and prestige as there are about 145 cities in the country. Angelenos should be proud that their mayor, which is not even in the top 20 largest cities in the Philippines, is now calling the shots at the LCP.
LCP is the unified voice of cities advocating policies and continuing autonomy; promoting capacity-building and best practice sharing; and strengthening internal and external linkages to lift the nation out of poverty.
Its immediate past president is actor-turned-politician Herbert Bautista, mayor of Quezon City. At one point, it was headed by former City of San Fernando Mayor Oscar Rodriguez.
It takes more than good looks, political savvy and oratorical prowess to win the LCP presidency. For Edpam, it was a combination of those three characteristics which he has together with ascendancy and destiny. That patented smile and well dressed moustache may have given him an edge too.
Destiny of course, just like President Duterte whom he supported wholeheartedly in the campaign (he was one of the very first mayors who declared support for the former Davao City mayor), spelled so much for his past victories.
Edpam is the only Angeles City mayor (and native/resident) who was elected to the position for five times.
In his five terms, he accomplished so much. Probably more than what all his predecessors had chalked up, combined. Tucked under his belt are great pieces of work like recovery from Pinatubo and other calamities, the establishment of Renal Care Center, the City College of Angeles, Free Wifi, Heritage District, Parks restoration, Angeles Main Gate Rotunda, widening of major thoroughfares, the list goes on. If Angeles City were a canvass, Edpam would be its Da Vinci or Michaelangelo or Picasso.
No wonder he and the city had received various awards and commendations. They include: Top 8 World Mayor Award in 2012; Most Outstanding Mayor of the Philippines by Superbrands Intl (not once but four times); Recipient of order of Lakandula with the rank of Grand Cross (bayani) by the Office of the President; and, one of The Outstanding Filipinos Abroad (TOFA) by the Filipino communities overseas.
With some precious time now being devoted to the concerns of LCP as its new president, Angelenos need not frown over his possible divided attention and time especially if it means effecting change and reforms too to many cities of the Philippines.
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With all of the accolades that he is getting, Angelenos should be proud too that their city also serves as benchmark. Not just domestically, but also in some parts of the Asian region.
Mayor Edpam gets to share the pride and prestige for Angeles City.
Last month he was in Singapore for the World Mayors Forum which is the highlight of the 5th World Cities Summit at the Marina Bay Sands.
A total of 110 mayors, governors, ministers and officials of international organization from all over the world attended the forum which is designed to take mayors and city leaders beyond just dialogue and sharing, to culminate in actionable outcomes for their respective cities.
The mayor shared best practices and approaches to some of their city's toughest and long standing challenges in the areas of housing, transportation, economic development, and sustainability.
Pamintuan imparted his experiences on how he was able to engage the national government in partnering with the local governments in providing housing for victims of natural calamities.
The mayor also shared the utilization of the unused railway tracks by converting them into public areas like parks, playgrounds, vegetable gardens and venues for cultural presentations and performances.
Mayor Pamintuan is one of the only four mayors from the Philippines who attended the said international conference. The others were Ilocos Norte Governor Imelda "Imee" Marcos, Muntinlupa City Mayor Jaime Fresnedi and Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista.