Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan was recently shortlisted by the Association of Local Social Welfare Development Officers of the Philippines, Incorporated (ALSWDOPI) as one of the three finalists for Gawad Parangal 2017 Search for the Most Outstanding Local Chief Executive for Luzon.
Members of the screening committee recently took time for a courtesy visit at the Angeles City Hall to check and validate the city government’s programs and accomplishments related to social services.
“We are elated to know that we are getting the attention of national agencies like ALSWDOPI. Our accomplishments are a manifestation of our people-centered public service with the active participation of the private sector,” said Mayor Pamintuan.
According to Angeles City Social Welfare and Development Officer (CSWDO) and ALSWDOPI National Treasurer Heide Patio, finalists also include Baguio City and Malolos City in Bulacan.
“From the three finalists of the Luzon Island, we are first to get evaluated. We were able to present our own platform of governance related to social work, and we were able to reap a positive feedback from the members of the evaluating team,” said Patio.
During the first term of Mayor Pamintuan in 2010, a comprehensive eight-point platform of governance and a “social contract” known as the Contract with the Angeleños (CWA) was signed to serve as the city government’s blueprint in implementing its mandates and projects.
Aside from the implementation of social development programs mandated by the national government, presented the institutionalization of the Barangay Day, a bi-weekly mission which aims to make the availability of basic government services within people’s reach.
The establishment of medical facilities such as the MediKalinga to cater on minor surgical operations. The modernization of the Ospital ning Angeles through the creation of facilities dedicated to the poor such as the region’s first LGU-run Dialysis Center, the first publicly owned Chemotherapy Infusion Unit, and Intensive Cardiac Care Unit in the whole of Central Luzon.
The conversion of the old Philippine National Railway (PNR) track into a linear stretch of vegetable gardens, recreational parks and sports facilities also gained appreciative nods from the panellists.
The city also reported on how the local government is protecting the rights of the children especially those who are in conflict with the law, the women, needy adults, senior citizens, persons with disability and the Angeleño families.
Angeles City’s notable accomplishments in infrastructure like the first city-run public cemetery, public employment services, tourism, socialized housing, peace and order, disaster management, livelihood and employment were also presented to the evaluating team.
On the other hand, Mayor Pamintuan said that public and private partnership (PPP) played a key role in the success of the projects initiated by the city government.
“The city government’s social services can be best summarized with the statement ‘womb to tomb’. Whoever wins in this search, the real victors are our respective constituents whom we plan and dedicate all our projects,” said Pamintuan who is also the President of the League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP).
Gawad Parangal 2017 is an annual search aimed to honor outstanding local chief executives (provincial, city and municipal) and social welfare development officers in the country. The award is an appreciation of ALSWDOPI to their notable dedication to social work, unrelenting support and commitment in the fulfilment of their respective social welfare programs.
For two consecutive years, the city government was conferred by Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) with the Seal of Child-friendly Local Governance in 2014 and 2015.
ACSWD Officer Patio was also hailed as the Most Outstanding Social Welfare Officer for Luzon in 2005 and 2006.
This year’s winners will be announced on April 26 during the National Convention of ALSWDOPI to be held at the SMX Convention Center in Davao City.