QC, Las Piñas bag awards for housing programs

If Quezon City Mayor Feliciano Belmonte Jr. is always in high spirits these days, this is because of the honors the city government has been reaping.

President Arroyo awarded Belmonte yesterday the Kabalikat sa Pabahay Award 2003, his sixth for the year, in recognition of the outstanding program of the city government in housing and urban poor development. The city was cited being the local government unit with the most number of beneficiaries under its Community Mortgage Program (CMP).

Receiving a similar honor was the city of Las Piñas under Mayor Vergel "Nene" Aguilar. The award was received by his wife Imelda. The city’s housing and urban poor programs have benefited more than 150,000 informal settlers.

Last week, Belmonte received the Gawad Galing Pook Award, from the President. The city won in the category for effective fiscal management.

The award was in recognition of the Quezon City government’s efforts in improving the quality of life among its residents, especially the poorest of the poor, through social and health services, education, peace and order, waste management and livelihood programs.

Belmonte said the numerous awards were the results of cohesive efforts and collaboration among city and barangay officials down to the ordinary citizens.

"These honors for Quezon City have not been possibly realized without everybody doing his share," Belmonte said.

Last October, the mayor was chosen the country’s Most Outstanding City Mayor by the 2003 Local Leadership in Governance Award, initiated by the Office of Sen. Aquilino Pimentel and the UP-CPAG for his various successful innovations and reforms in governance.

The effort has brought about astounding economic upturn for the city coffers, making Quezon City the richest local government unit in the country.

The Quezon City Chamber of Commerce and Industry has cited the city as one of the most business-friendly cities for its pro-poor initiatives.

Last September, Quezon City has also been selected by the Metrobank Foundation as one of the three most livable cities in Metro Manila, with Manila and Marikina.

Quezon City has also been adjudged recently as the second most child-friendly city in the metropolis, behind Pasay City.