The Manila Times to bare top cities, municipalities

THE country’s greenest and environmentally sustainable cities and municipalities will be honored at The Manila Times’ Philippine Model Cities Forum and Award on Tuesday, June 19, at the Conrad Manila in Pasay City.

According to the World Bank, 45 percent of Filipinos live in cities, which account for about 70 percent of gross domestic product. Rapid economic growth has spurred rapid urbanization. Aside from driving growth, cities lead the nation in the production of knowledge and innovation.

Cities, however, also manifest growing inequalities brought about by rapid growth and urbanization. Growing migration in particular leads to lack of economic opportunities. On top of economic inequalities, urban centers also have to contend with

social and cultural disparities.

The Kuala Lumpur Declaration calls for deployment of efforts, means and resources available toward operationalization of the concept of “cities for all,” ensuring that all inhabitants, of present and future generations, without discrimination of any kind, are able to inhabit and produce just, safe, healthy, accessible, affordable, resilient and sustainable cities.

To make cities inclusive, no one and no place should be left behind.

Themed “Making Cities More Inclusive,” this year’s forum will recognize the top model cities and municipalities of the Philippines and also give awards on various areas of excellence such as peace and order, social services, livelihood and employment.

It will also recognize the country’s best- governed cities and municipalities as models of efficient delivery of services, such as mobility, infrastructure, housing, health, security and peace and order, tourism and livelihood.

Award categories include Safe Haven (peace and security – crime rate), Environment Friendly (clean and green – reforestation projects and public spaces, such as parks and sports facilities), Tourism Hub (business and leisure tourism spots and facilities), Business Friendly (ease of doing business) and Retirement Haven (facilities for local and foreign retirees).

Other categories are Education Hub (public scholarship, city-funded schools and educational facilities), Social Service- Oriented ( public services, programs on health, nutrition, senior citizens, etc.), Wealth Center (investment friendly and improved tax collection), Livelihood and Employment Haven ( jobs and programs for self- sufficiency of residents) and Emergency/ Disaster Management ( improved emergency response and rescue).

For the Top Model City award, the finalists are Bacolod, Bacoor, Davao, Laoag, Mandaluyong, San Fernando (Pampanga), Santa Rosa, Tagaytay, Zamboanga, Parañaque and Lipa.

Agoo (La Union), Balabagan (Lanao del Sur – Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao), Guiguinto (Bulacan), San Jose del Monte (Bulacan), Nunungan (Lanao del Norte) and Pulilan (Bulacan) are among the towns shortlisted for the Top Model Municipality award.

The shortlist of cities and municipalities was drawn out based on environmental issues; innovation in green building and public spaces; establishment of good networking between and among all sectors; and delivery of excellent services to the public, including tourists.

An overall award will be granted to the champion while multiple awards per category shall also be announced for the deserving cities and municipalities.

The event will feature experts who will lay down sustainable and inclusive planning and resource-allocation strategies to make cities not just livable, but also more egalitarian and just.

Guest speakers include Lea Roque, a lawyer and principal and head of tax advisory and compliance of P&A Grant Thornton; Architect Felino Palafox Jr., founder and managing partner of Palafox Associates; Loren Sales, vice president for customer management group of PHirst Park Homes; Rosemarie Bosch-Ong, director, senior vice president and chief operating officer of Wilcon Depot; and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chairman Danilo Lim.