TMT PH Model Cities, Municipalities 2024 salutes sustainability champions

THE Manila Times (TMT) Philippine Model Cities and Municipalities forum and awards made a successful return this year with the theme "Reinventing, reinvigorating urban living" at Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria on Sept. 19, 2024.This highly anticipated annual competition received submissions from 27 cities and 12 municipalities, surpassing last year's total.The awards were presented by Megaworld Hotels and Resorts Managing Director Cleofe Albiso, Punongbayan & Araullo Grant Thornton Vice Chairman and Deputy Managing partner Olivier Aznar, TMT Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Dante "Klink" Ang 2nd, and TMT President and Chief Operating Officer Blanca Calilung-Mercado.Overall, Baguio City and Bacnotan, La Union took top honors in TMT's 2024 list of Philippine Model Cities and Municipalities.Samantha Hamada, chief of staff of Baguio Mayor Benjamin Magalong, received the award, saying: "The awards highlight our commitment to good governance [and] participatory governance because without the efforts and participation of our community, we would not be able to receive these awards. Although Baguio has [faced] so many challenges along the way, through this, we were able to achieve so much. We also hope to learn from other cities that won the awards." Hamada said the city's achievements mirrored the teamwork within the local government unit (LGU) as well as the LGU's coordination with the private sector and the community. She mentioned that the city's notable improvements were largely evident in sustainability projects and environmental regeneration initiatives, especially amid the city's increasing urbanization and fight against climate change.Hamada highlighted the active participation of the private sector in the city's economic and social development, saying: "We have an Adopt-a-Park and the Adopt-a-Road-Island program, wherein we tap the private sector to fix road islands. We really highlight participatory governance."Winning the Livelihood and Employment Centered title, Hamada stressed Baguio's initiative to close the Session Road every Sunday to support micro, small and medium enterprises by providing them a venue to sell their products and services. The street has also become a tourist attraction, creating a space for local artists and buskers to gather and showcase their talents.Moreover, Baguio City established a weaving hub to support the product development of local weavers. All these efforts were aligned with Baguio's ambitious goal to be a creative, inclusive and liveable city by 2043 and a smart city by 2027.Bacnotan Mayor Divina Fontanilla accepted the award for her municipality, noting that this was the first time Bacnotan participated in the competition.Earning the Tech Territory award, Fontanilla remarked that the Bacnotan LGU adopted a digital system to facilitate faster, transparent and more efficient delivery of services to its people."We try to sustain all the programs as much as we can and to cover all sectors in order to serve all and not leave any constituents behind," said Bacnotan Mayor.The mayor also mentioned the Municipal ID that the town has been using as a tracker to serve the community.As a Food Security Enabler, Bacnotan has achieved 187 percent rice sufficiency, the mayor said. Bacnotan also has several marine protected areas that have been supported and protected by the LGU."We support our fisherfolk. We also have livelihood programs that LGU offers through the cooperatives and other sectors," added Fontanilla.Among Bacnotan's ongoing projects, the mayor highlighted the Sports Center, which would serve both residents and nonresidents of the municipality."We are currently undergoing an urban master development plan, which will be the gateway for [public-private] sector collaboration to improve the agritourism projects," shared Fontanilla.Bacnotan Mayor also underlined the town's emphasis on education through what it called the Bacnotan Learning Journey. The municipality's efforts in education have been validated by its consistent awards from National Literacy Awards, among others.CitiesBaguio City won big as the 2024 TMT Top Philippine Model City with Calamba City taking the first runner-up spot and Victorias City following as the second runner-up.As the TMT's Top Model City, Baguio City stood out in multiple categories, clinching Eco Friendly, Family First, Food Security Enabler, Livelihood and Employment Centered, Retirement Haven, Safe Haven and Social Service Oriented titles, plus securing runner-up positions in Sustainability Champion (first runner-up) and Infrastructure Innovator (runner-up) categories.Mandaue City was awarded the top Infrastructure Innovator title.The Education Hub award was presented to General Trias City while Ozamiz City and Valenzuela City were recognized as first and second runners-up, respectively.Under the Eco-Friendly category, Meycauayan City was the first runner-up and Alaminos City secured the second runner-up position for promoting clean and green initiatives, reforestation projects and improving public spaces such as parks and sports facilities.Besides Baguio City, Puerto Princesa City and Lucena City were also honored as first and second runners-up in the Family First category for their inclusive initiatives supporting young children, youth development, single parents, mothers and women empowerment.Mandaue City was honored for being Business Friendly with Ormoc and Baliwag Cities tying for the first runner-up position while Balanga City and Tuguegarao City shared the second runner-up spot.LGUs of Digos and Pasay Cities received the Livelihood and Employment Centered awards as runners-up, highlighting their efforts in providing job opportunities and sustainable livelihood to their residents.Cauayan City was also named a Retirement Haven, following Baguio City, for its facilities for local and foreign retirees.With low crime rate, effective peace and security programs, and police accomplishments, Baguio City received the Safe Haven award alongside Calamba City as the first runner-up and Laoag City and Malabon City sharing the second runner-up position.Mandaue City earned the Emergency and Disaster Management Excellence award with Parañaque City as the runner-up. Joining Baguio in holding the Social Service Oriented title as runner-up was San Jose Del Monte City.Mandaue City once again earned the Wealth Center award alongside Digos City, Butuan City and Calamba City as runners-up for their fast and efficient services, tax collection and investment opportunities.As the Philippine Model City 2024 second runner-up, Victorias City received top honors as a Tourism and Culture Hub, Technology Territory, Sustainability Champion and as Food Security Enabler title first runner-up.Victorias Mayor Javier Miguel "Javi" Benitez, said in an interview with TMT, "We've done much, but we know there's much more to do." Winning the Tourism and Culture Hub award, Benitez emphasized the goal of transforming Victorias City into a premier tourism destination. One initiative aligned with this vision was the promotion of sustainable tourism and biodiversity through the conservation and sustainability of the city's Gawahon Ecopark.Digos City and Bacolod City followed as runners-up in the Tourism and Culture Hub category while Mandaue City and Bacoor City emerged as runners-up in the Technology Territory category.Masbate City and Talisay City tied as second runners-up as Food Security Enablers.MunicipalitiesMeanwhile, the 2024 Top Philippine Model Municipality title was awarded to Bacnotan, La Union. Kalibo, Aklan was the first runner-up while Candelaria, Quezon and Liloan, Cebu were named as second runners-up.Bacnotan, La Union earned the Safe Haven, Tech Territory, Food Security Enabler and a Sustainability Champion titles this year.Kalibo, Aklan was recognized as Business Friendly, Candelaria, Quezon as an Education Hub, and Liloan, Cebu as a Retirement Haven.The Infrastructure Innovator award was given to Santa Maria, Bulacan whereas Dumangas, Isabela clinched the Eco Friendly award. Binangonan, Rizal was recognized in the Family First category, and the Livelihood and Employment Centered award went to San Marcelino, Zambales.Los Baños, Laguna was honored with the Emergency and Disaster Management Excellence award while Noveleta, Cavite received the Social Service Oriented award.Lastly, Plaridel, Bulacan was awarded the Wealth Center title while Taytay, Rizal was named the Tourism and Culture Hub.TMT Model Cities and Municipalities forum and awards 2024 was co-presented by Megaworld Corp. and P&A Grant Thornton. The event's category sponsors included Globe, InfiniVAN Inc., PHirst, SunSmart Solar Power Technology Inc., Tata Consultancy Services and Wilcon Depot.Lazada was the event partner with Watsons and The Clorox Co. named as special partners and Asta Plus and YAM Agency as patron sponsors.The event partners were Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria and Holiday Inn Manila Galleria.