LC is 2015 top emerging locations for IT-BPM
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| Laoag Mayor Chevylle V. Fariñas (IT file photo) |
By Dominic B. dela Cruz
Staff reporter
Laoag City—Mayor Chevylle V. Fariñas is one of the 20 mayors in the Philippines given the 2016 Most Outstanding Mayor Awards (MOMA) by Superbrands Marketing International Incorporated (SMMI).
Ms. Fariñas thanked SMMI for recognizing not only her efforts but also those of other Laoag officials and the city’s residents.
She stressed that award is not only for her but for the whole of Laoag City.
She expounded that Laoag is already distinguished for its acumen in promoting the general welfare of its constituents and caters to the needs of the community through investment promotions innovative approaches, environment friendly initiatives, disaster resiliency, self-employment assistance and livelihood programs.
The city has been recognized in by both local and international award-giving bodies. Among its awards are: Top Performing LGU in the field of local governance; recognition from the DILG as one of the Best LGU’s with the Seal of Local Governance Award; 2014 LGU Convergence Awardee by the Dept. of Social Work and Development (DSWD); regional champion in the Search for the Cleanest, Safest and Greenest City by the Regional Development Council; and a National Hall of Fame Awardee for National Corn Quality Award by the Department of Agriculture.
Laoag City is also the top in the Government Efficiency Rating for Region I, and in the top 10 in the country for two years running. The efficiency award is given by the National Competitiveness Council.
Other awards include 2014 European Awards for Best Practices by European Society for Quality Research (ESQR); 2014 Seal of Child Friendly Local Governance by the National Council for Women of Children; Merit of Alliance Award for the city hospital by the DOH; Regional Outstanding CAFC Fisherfolk (Fish Culture) and Regional Outstanding Small Animal Raiser by the DA; 2014 Regional Winner Gaward Parangal as Best Performing Local Development Units; 2014 Regional Awardee for Gawad Parangal as Best Performing Cooperative Development Council; 2014 Best Performing PESO in Region I; Champion for Most Business Friendly LGU Award Level 3 category by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry; 2013 Champion for the Search for Local CHAMP (Catalytic Action for HIV and AIDS Mitigation Programme) by the Local Government Academy; and 2013 Champion for the Search for Best Performing City in Region I by the Local Governance.
The awards given to Laoag stem from the city’s various programs that help the people. Foremost of which is the “Agserbi 24/7 Program”, a program which brings the city government to all the barangays in Laoag.
The program offers social services that bring immediate, wide ranging and more comprehensive delivery of various services to include infrastructure development, health services, farming and agricultural development; skills and livelihood trainings; implementation of pro-poor programs and other services for the benefit of the people.
The SMMI is an award giving body in the country that pays tribute to the strongest brands in the country.
SMMI is currently promoting around 14,000 brands in 88 countries worldwide.
The MOMA, meanwhile, aims to promote the work of mayors in their collective efforts toward nation-building and a testament to one’s achievements.
Other awardees are Arayat (Pampanga) Mayor Emmanuel Alejandrino; Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista; Sta. Maria (Laguna) Mayor Atty. Ma. Rocelle Carolino; Asingan (Pangasinan) Mayor Heidee Ganigan Chua; Lucban Mayor (Quezon) Celso Olivier Dator; Cauayan City (Isabela) Mayor Bernard Faustino Dy;
Candelaria Mayor (Zambales) Napoleon Ebdane Edguid; Pasig City Mayor Maria Belen Eusebio; San Ildefonso (Bulacan) Mayor Gerald Galvez; Caloocan City Mayor Oscar Malapitan; San Fernando City (La Union) Mayor Pablo Ortega;
Calatagan (Batangas) Mayor Sophia Palacio; Angeles City (Pampanga) Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan; Natividad (Pangasinan) Mayor Rodrigo Rafael; Lipa City (Batangas) Mayor Meynardo Sabili; Pili (Camarines Sur) Mayor Alexis Simado San Luis II;
General Luna (Quezon) Mayor Jose Stevenson Sangalang; San Fernando City (Pampanga)Mayor Edwin Santiago; and Piat (Cagayan)Mayor Atty. Carmelo Villacete.
Awarding was held in Makati City on March 16, 2016.
Outstanding achiever
MS. Fariñas will also be awarded as an Outstanding Achiever in Public Service by the Philippine Top Choice Awards in cooperation with the Philippine Communication Event Management Incorporated and the PCEM Market and Data Research Group.
The recognition is a manifestation of the awardees vigorous endeavor and dedicated determination to affect and influence other people’s lives through their on-going story of aspirations for the next generations.
The mayor will be receiving a Medal of Distinction, Trophy and a Certificate with a Profile Flasher during the awarding on April 9, 2016 at the Araneta Center in Quezon City.
Top emerging location
Meanwhile, Laoag is also assessed as one of the top Emerging Locations for Information Technology Business Process Management (IT-BPM) operations in 2015 by the Information Communications and Technology Office (ICTO) together with the Information Technology Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP).
The awarding ceremony for this was held on March 30, 2016 at the Shangri-La Hotel in Makati City. The award is for the 2015 Top Ten Next Wave Cities and Center of Excellence for IT-BPM Operations and a monthly General Membership Assembly Meeting of the IBPAP.