Laoag gets global good governance award

MANILA, Philippines - A European-based award giving body has conferred on Laoag City, the capital of Ilocos Norte, an international award for Best Practices on Local Governance for 2014.

According to the state-run Philippine Information Agency, Philippine Ambassador to Belgium Roland Van Remoortele received the award from the European Society for Quality Research (ESQR) during its convention in Brussels earlier this month.

The yearly award recognizes the excellent commitment and results of quality management strategies of organizations, public administrations and companies worldwide. It is also aimed at promoting quality awareness as well as recognizing good business practices, technological innovation and quality achievements of both public and private organizations.

City Mayor Chevylle Fariñas said that Laoag City is the first and only city from the Philippines to be accorded such a prestigious award in the field of local governance.

“It is only now that ESQR gave such an award for a city in the Philippines, and it is a great honor to be recognized internationally,” said Fariñas, crediting her constituents’ active involvement in the city’s development for earning the recognition.

“It’s a team effort,” she said.