‘QC is best managed city in RP’

House Speaker Jose de Venecia lauded the other day Quezon City Mayor Feliciano Belmonte Jr. and his "council of experts" for transforming the city from a financially distressed local government unit to the richest and best managed city in the country today.

"I came here not only to say hello to Quezon City officials but to express my great admiration to Mayor Sonny Belmonte and his council of experts for creating the most successful city governance for the Philippines today,"De Venecia told department heads during the 45th executive staff meeting at the Quezon City Hall Bulwagan.

He said provincial governors, city and municipal mayors and barangay officials and even ordinary folks across the country acknowledge and say that Quezon City is the best managed city in the country.

The Speaker suggested that Quezon City must write a book on how to run a city so that local and national government officials can learn fiscal management efficiency, effective governance and innovative development initiatives.

The city has also been awarded by Gawad Galing Pook, Kabalikat sa Pabahay and was recognized as "Most Livable City," and "Most Business Friendly City" by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI).

Belmonte was also cited as the most outstanding city mayor in the Philippines in 2004.