MILESTONES AND BREAKTHROUGHS
The transformation of Mandaluyong from a forestal and agricultural town to a highly urbanized city is highlighted by the following outstanding achievements and awards that made Mandaluyong a favorite “Lakbay Aral” (Educational and best practice sharing) destination of various entities and organizations both local and from other countries:
AWARDS AND CITATIONS
Seal of Good Local Governance
(2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019)
Mandaluyong is the only LGU in Metro Manila to have received the Seal of Good Local Governance for 5 consecutive years. The first seal was conferred on September 14, 2015 by the Department of Interior and Local Government for having passed all the criteria on the three Core and three Essential Components: Good Financial Housekeeping, Social Protection and Disaster Preparedness for the former, and Business-Friendliness and Competitiveness, Environmental Management and Peace and Order for the latter.
In 2018, the mechanics of awarding the SGLG got stricter. For the prior SGLG evaluations, a LGU only need to pass all the Core Components and one of the Essential Component to be awarded with the SGLG. The mechanics was changed in such a way that a LGU needs to pass all the criteria for evaluation (now called as Focus Areas) to be awarded with the SGLG. Mandaluyong was conferred its 4th SGLG for 2018.
Nutrition Honor Award, CROWN and Green Banner Award
In recognition of its excellent management and implementation of the City Nutrition Program for the past six (6) consecutive years, the City of Mandaluyong was conferred The Nutrition Honor Award (NHA) on December 13, 2016. The NHA is given to LGUs who have maintained the CROWN Award for three (3) consecutive years while sustaining improvement of the nutritional status of the people.
The CROWN Award, on the other hand, is given to LGUs who are Consistent Regional Outstanding Winners in Nutrition.
Besting 16 other local government units in Metro Manila, Mandaluyong City was the recipient of the most coveted Green Banner Award for its outstanding performance in Nutrition Program for three consecutive years for 2011, 2012 and 2013. Consequently, the City received the CROWN.
Most Child-Friendly City in the Philippines
Mandaluyong City made a name in the country as the Most Child-Friendly City having bagged two Presidential Awards for the Most Child-Friendly City for Highly-Urbanized City Category in the Philippines in 2011 and 2018. Four times it bested other LGUs in the NCR as the Most Child-Friendly City.
Since its implementation in 2014, the city has consistently received the Seal of Child-Friendly Local Governance for having complied with the requirements of the Child-Friendly Local Governance Audit.
With its track records as summarized below, the city has been visited by various LGUs and organizations wanting to learn more and witness first-hand how Mandaluyong was able to promote and uphold children’s welfare through sustained programs and developmental practices particularly in the areas of Health & Nutrition, Education, Protection, Social Welfare and Youth Participation.
Wealth Center Award (2017, 2018)
Sponsored by the San Miguel Corporation, this award was given by the Manila Times to Mandaluyong City in May 2017 and 2018 in recognition of its exemplary economic performance manifested by continuous increase in revenues year after year and increasing number of business establishments, thereafter, branding the city as a Wealth Center for Investments. Mandaluyong maintained the award for the second year as it defended from other cities and municipalities in the Philippines that vied for the award amidst other awards in other categories.
Local Collection Efficiency Awards by Bureau of Local Government Finance
The City of Mandaluyong, represented by the City Treasurer’s office, was given three awards on December 19, 2017 by the Bureau of Local Government Finance of the Department of Finance in recognition of the efficiency in local collection for the fiscal year 2016, ranking as first among all local governments in National Capital Region in three fields, namely:
2017 Pink Orchid and 2018 & 2019 Red Orchid Award
This award recognizes Local Government Units who scored high on the set criteria of the Department of Health on the implementation of 100% Tobacco-Free Environment and on following the “MPOWER” Framework of World Health Organization. Mandaluyong City was awarded with the Pink Orchid Award on November 2017 and the Red Orchid Award in 2018 and 2019, the highest award given by DOH on LGUs complying on Tobacco-Free Environment guidelines.
Selyo ng Kahusayan sa Serbisyo Publiko (2017, 2018, 2019)
Awarded on August 2017 by the Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (KWF), this seal certifies that the city is a partner of KWF in promoting and propagating the use of Filipino Language in Government communications, information cascades, announcements, and other related activities as prescribed by the Executive Order No. 335. Mandaluyong then maintains the award in 2018 and 2019.
Recognition of The Marketplace from Bureau of Local Government Development
One of the landmark projects of the city, The Marketplace, was given recognition by the Bureau of Local Government Development of the Department of Interior and Local Government last December 2017 for the valuable contribution in pursuing local economic development through Public-Private Partnership (PPP).
This five – storey structure is the first BOT (Build-Operate-Transper) Project in the Philippines and houses a public wet and dry market, a mall with cinemas and bowling lanes at the upper levels in addition to gastronomic treats and boutiques, and general merchandises.
Recognitions to Public Employment Service Office of City of Mandaluyong
Various awards were given to the Public Employment Service Office of the City of Mandaluyong last November 2017 for exemplary performance in different fields of interest. The awards were given by the Department of Labor and Employment – National Capital Region.
Multi - Awarded Public Employment Service Office
In 2014 Mandaluyong-PESO was cited by DOLE-NCR for besting other LGUs in career guidance & employment coaching and job fair placement. It was also named the Best Performing PESO in Phil-Jobnet registration, as well as in labor supply and demand profiling.
In 2011 Mandaluyong City accepted the Certificate of Recognition presented by DOLE (Department of Labor and Employment) NCR/PAPAMAMARISAN Field Office (Pasig, Pateros, Mandaluyong, Marikina, and San Juan). The Mandaluyong Public Employment and Service Office (PESO) garnered the HIGHEST ACCOMPLISHMENT in the conduct of Career Guidance and Coaching in the area covering the period from January 2011 to July 2011.
Citations and Recognitions given by the Philippine Red Cross
On August 2017, the Philippine Red Cross – Rizal Chapter awarded multiple citations and recognitions to the City of Mandaluyong for supporting the said entity in their endeavors, namely:
Adoption of the City Green Building Ordinance
Mandaluyong is the first LGU to have successfully adopted and implemented the Green Building Ordinance that later serves as a referral Ordinance for the National Green Building Code.
Recognizing that buildings have considerable impact on the environment, the city government took the initiative as building regulator to formulate, adopt and implement green building regulations.
On January 27, 2014, Ordinance No. 535, s-2014 was enacted for the purpose of improving the efficiency of buildings in the use of natural resources, contributing to the global efforts in reducing Green House Gas (GHG) emissions and minimizing impact of buildings on health and environment through Green Building Regulations.
On October 2018, Mayor Menchie Abalos signed the Ordinance No. 709, Series of 2018 or the “Version 2.0: The 2014 Green Building Regulations of Mandaluyong City.” The update is to adapt to the Philippine Green Building Code of 2015 signed on June 2015 and to incorporate trends on green building. Additional measures include further provisions for material sustainability and solid waste management, and new provisions for renewable energy and environmental protection. The Implementing Rules and Regulation was already signed in December 2018 and on the works are the Operating Manual and the B.E.S.T. Tool that complements the ordinance. The B.E.S.T. Tool was launched as a self-evaluation tool for applicants of Green Building Pre-Compliance Certificate before actually applying for GBPCC.
Rafael M. Salas Population and Development Award
Being recognized for its people-centered governance and development initiatives, the Commission on Population conferred this award to the City of Mandaluyong on September 30, 2015 at the Century Park Hotel in Pasay City.
Local Government Luminary for 2015
Mandaluyong City received this award on March 2016 from the MERALCO Corporation as Patron for Progress that promotes sustainable development. The city was recognized for its notable program and projects on housing, employment, infrastructure, health, education, environmental protection, tourism and investment promotion.
Guinness World Record for the largest Zumba Class in one location
An endeavour initiated by then First Lady Menchie Abalos in promoting healthy lifestyle among Mandaleños, this Zumba Class was attended by 12,975 men and women including children and the aged who danced in unison for one hour. Having successfully complied with the Guinness Rules, this synchronized dancing was declared Officially Amazing and given the Guinness World Record on July 19, 2015.
United Nations Public Service Award
On June 25, 2015, in Medellin, Colombia, the Unite Nations thru its Division for Public Administration and Development Management conferred this award to the City of Mandaluyong specifically for the innovative implementation of Project TEACH, a program that extends free services and intervention to indigent children with special needs.
Gawad Parangal Award (Highly Urbanized Cities Category)
On April 8, 2015, then Mandaluyong City Mayor Benjamin Abalos Jr. received the Gawad Parangal Award from Vice President Jejomar Binay as he emerged lone winner in the Highly Urbanized Cities category with outstanding service delivery of social welfare and development programs during the Association of Local Social Welfare and Development Officers of the Philippines’ Annual Forum and General Assembly held at the SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia.
Gawad Kalusugan 2015.
Mandaluyong City received the Gawad Kalusugan Pangkalahatan Award from Department of Health during DOH’s Harmonized Awarding held on February 20, 2015 at the SMX Convention Center. DOH gives this major award to local government units that have continuously increased the efficiency of its basic health services delivery thru strengthened health systems and equitable distribution of national health programs. DOH selected the awardees from among 80 Provinces, 184 Highly Urbanized/Independent/ Component Cities and 1,490 Municipalities that have exhibited commendable performance on health as reflected in the DOH LGU Score Card Report.
Most Business-Friendly City 2013
Mandaluyong City received from the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry the award as this year’s Most Business-Friendly City (Highly Urbanized City Category) during the concluding rites of PCCI’s Business Conference and Expo held at the Manila Hotel. The award is annually conferred by PCCI to local government units that have instituted good governance reforms in promoting local trade and investment.
National Kabalikat Award 2013
For the second time, in a ceremony held at TESDA, Taguig City, Mandaluyong City received the highest recognition given by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) to any institution or local government unit as a reward mechanism in the promotion and enhancement of technical education and skills development of the country’s middle level manpower.
In 2011 Mandaluyong City was conferred the Kabalikat Award for Local Government Unit (National Capital Region) by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority. The city has been allocating more than 10M annually to the Mandaluyong Manpower Development Center for its center and community-based training programs yielding a yearly average of 2,500 graduates.
Recognition for Excellence In Local Governance. 2012
Mandaluyong City was recognized by the Department of the Interior and Local Government for being one of the Top 5 Performing LGUs in the National Capital Region for 2012. The recognition is given to an LGU that effectively performs administrative, economic, environment, social management and consistently values the fundamentals of governance through the Local Government Performance Management System.
Multiple Winner of Galing Pook Awards for 2012
Mandaluyong City received two of the top ten Galing Pook Awards for Outstanding Local Governance Programs from the prestigious Galing Pook Foundation. Out of the 166 entries nationwide, the Garden of Life Park Project and Project T.E.A.C.H. were recognized for its innovativeness and great impact worthy of emulation by other local government units. The GLP project is a manifestation of a successful one-stop-shop concept: Funeral Services – Chapel – Crematorium - Columbarium - Cemetery with comparatively low fees. Project T.E.A.C.H. provides free diagnostic services including therapy for children with handicap.
Approval of the CLUP 2017-2032 and Zoning Ordinance No. 664, S-2017 by HLURB
Mandaluyong City is known for being the first among the LGUs in Metro Manila to have a newly approved Comprehensive Development Plan and Zoning Ordinance approved per Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board Resolution No. 693 S-2001. The plan provides more room for commercial expansion, housing development and other environmental projects while the Zoning Ordinance ensures that the carrying capacity of the city within the planning period is not exceeded.
Recognizing that policies must be reflective of the current fast-paced and innovative trends of development, on August 31, 2011 the City Council of Mandaluyong adopted a revised Zoning Ordinance that allows investors and developers more options to fully utilize their land.
Due to changes in local policy directions, fast-paced development and digital advancements, globalization, and effects of climate change and the creation and passing of the new Comprehensive Land Use Plan for 2017 – 2032, the City Council passed the Zoning Ordinance No. 664, Series of 2017 last November 21, 2017. The ordinance was also approved by the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board per Resolution No. 958, S-2017 as same with CLUP 2017-2032.
World Bank Awardee for its innovative Project: TEACH (2008)
Mandaluyong’s Project TEACH (Therapy, Education, Assimilation for Children with Handicap) was awarded as one of the 30 best projects in line with World Bank’s Panibagong Paraan Competition for Innovative Ideas. The project aims to promote the welfare of children with special needs thru early intervention program.
Recipient of the FILIPINO ON TIME AWARD by the Rotary Club of San Francisco Del Monte – Rotary Intl. District 3780 held at the Manila Pavillon Hotel on February 22, 2008
Mandaluyong was awarded Filipino On Time Award by the Rotary Club of San Francisco Del Monte for its exemplary practice of punctuality in the conduct of its business and delivery of goods and services – enhancing the quality of work – to the satisfaction and admiration of its constituents.
The No. 1 in Quality of Life
Mandaluyong City was cited No. 1 in terms of “Quality of Life” among the 90 best performing cities in the country by the Asian Institute of Management (AIM) Philippine Cities Competitiveness Ranking Project 2007.
Recipient of 2006 Local Legislative Award from the Department of Interior and Local Government
In its exemplary performance for the year 2006, the Mandaluyong City Council and its support staff received the First Place Award with an average of 99.725% in the Search for the Most Outstanding Sangguniang Panlungsod (2006 Local Legislative Award) besting all other LGUs in the National Capital Region which was awarded on March 9, 2007 in Cebu City, Philippines.
2006 Recipient of the “Best Frontline Services Award” given by the Civil Service Commission
A Certificate of Recognition was awarded to the Treasury Department – License and Fees Division for garnering a rating of Very Good in exhibiting the value of customer care and meeting the expectation of the transacting public for prompt, courteous, responsive, facilitative and pleasant service.
Recipient of a P 200M Grant for the protection of the environment through the Environmental Protection Areas (EPAs) and Urban Renewal Areas (URAs) Project
Due to aggressiveness and leadership acumen in the formulation and approval of plans, development of linear parks in seven (7) barangays along the Pasig River was realized. The city is a recipient of cash support of more than P 200M for the projects from Asian Development Bank (ADB) through the Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission (PRRC).
Recognition of the Mandaluyong City Medical Center as Tertiary Hospital by the Department of Health (2005)
With the completion of the MCMC expansion building and rehabilitation of the old one, constituents of Mandaluyong City can finally benefit from tertiary hospital services from a locally-owned and operated MCMC.
Adoption of an Official Political Map for the City of Mandaluyong (2005)
The adoption of an Official Political Map for the City of Mandaluyong that clearly delineates barangay boundaries through Sanggunian Ordinance No. 315, S-2005 resolved the issue of overlapping areas of jurisdiction. This is most particularly critical in the issuance of barangay permits and clearances and payment of land taxes.
DSWD Mandaluyong Children’s Choir
The Choir was created in 2005 as the city’s entry to the “Maligayang Barangay Children’s Chorus Competition“placing 3rd and getting the Best Inspirational Song Award.
The group is composed of former street children and scavengers that belong to the poorest of the poor but are now studying through the support of the local DSWD and Mayor Abalos.
The DSWD Mandaluyong Children’s Choir has also joined the “Sing for ME – A Call for Peace and Unity”, a fund raising concert for the construction of the CICL Center Home under DSWD. They also bagged the 3rd Place and the Best Coral Award in the Himig Pasko Competition in December 2007 organized by the Manila Broadcasting Company.
Ranked 2nd in Quality of Life Competitiveness Driver in the 2003 Philippine Cities Competitiveness Ranking Project (PCCRP) of DTI and AIM Policy Center (January 2004)
According to the PCCRP 2003, Mandaluyong comes in second to Marikina in the Quality of Life category. Fifty (50) metro cities were judged according to their peace and order situation, their status of residents’ well-being and their environmental preservation initiatives. This recognition is a timely affirmation of the city’s unprecedented leap to progress.
Site of the Cleanest Barangay (January 2004)
Barangay Vergara was voted the cleanest barangay in Metro Manila by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), besting 16 other barangays in the MMDA’s search for the Cleanest and Dirtiest Barangay in the area. The evaluation for the cleanest barangay was done for at least two months by the board of judges composed of representatives from the DILG, DOH, DPWH and DENR.
Awarded as the Most Outstanding LGU (City Level) in the 2003 Metro Manila Literacy Awards of the Department of Education (May 2003)
In recognition of the city’s efforts in improving its literacy programs, the city bagged the top honors
of DepEd’s Literacy Awards. Mandaluyong won the Metro Manila Literacy Awards for its support of various educational programs, including enhanced computer literacy skills for high school students and the development of a unique literacy program for children with disabilities.
Adopt A Home – Bayanihan Project
Responding to the immediate need of more than 200 families affected by the fire in Block 37, Bgy. Addition Hills in 2002, the city spearheaded a housing program dubbed “Adopt a Home – Bayanihan Project,” a bayanihan scheme of sharing to build a home. City Government employees, NGOs and the affected families themselves helped each other in building the new houses.
The Trustee Committee of the Welfareville Development Project approved a resolution granting a 10,000 sq. m. of land as the site for the construction of the new houses in Block 37. Beneficiaries were given a 24 sq. m. meter land each.
Named as the “New Tiger City of Metro Manila, and the Second Most Vibrant City Economy in the Country” by the Department of Trade and Industry and the Asian Institute of Management Policy Center (May 2002)
According to the Philippine Cities Competitiveness Ranking Project 2002 conducted jointly by the DTI and the AIM Policy Center, Mandaluyong ranked second among 11 metro cities and third among 33 major urban centers nationwide on the local economy factor. The competitiveness ranking gave the city a new moniker - the New Tiger City of Metro Manila, Second Most Vibrant City Economy in the Country, for its unprecedented leap to progress, having become the haven of industrial giants and business conglomerates in a short span of 15 years.
The survey asked the cities’ respective business sectors to determine their economic competitiveness and measure their effectiveness in providing an environment conducive for business and industry, and to quantify their ability to promote a better standard of living for its constituents. The award was attributed to the strength of the city administration’s equally active and able leadership, pioneering efforts and outstanding achievements in addressing squarely the city government’s top agenda – employment, health, education, infrastructure, urban planning and renewal, tourism, social welfare and development.
On April 2012, the Philippine Star published a comparative report 2010-2011 of the Department of Finance – Bureau of Local Government Finance ranking Mandaluyong as 2nd Top Performing City based on Locally-generated Revenues.
Recipient of the Apolinario Mabini Award (1998)
Mandaluyong was awarded with the prestigious Apolinario Mabini Award for its pioneering programs and projects for disabled persons. It is the first LGU in the Philippines to create a special office servicing differently-abled people.
Creation of a Central Business District
The adoption of City Ordinance 164 Series of 1997 paved the way for the development of a formerly industrial area into a full-scale Central Business District also dubbed as the newest emerging golden quadrangle in the metropolis. This area is bounded by EDSA, Shaw Blvd., the Mandaluyong-Pasig boundary, and the Pasig River.
City-hood
On April 10, 1994, following a series of legislative procedures including the signing of Republic Act 7675 by President Fidel V. Ramos on February 9, 1994, a plebiscite confirmed the conversion of Mandaluyong from municipality to a highly urbanized city. This brought additional income to Mandaluyong through an increase in share from the national internal revenue allotments and other development benefits of being a city.
AWARDS RECEIVED BY INCUMBENT MAYOR CARMELITA “MENCHIE” A. ABALOS
This award was given to Mayor Menchie Abalos by the Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor on December 2017 for empowering and placing importance on the marginalized sector of the community and in uplifting their way of life.
Our beloved mayor, Mayor Menchie Abalos, was awarded with the Asian Achiever Awards – Outstanding Mayor and Public Servant by the Asia Pacific Awards Council (APAC) on September 14, 2017. Receiving this award signifies the outstanding performance of the recipient in its chosen category, Outstanding Mayor and Public Servant in the case of Mayor Menchie Abalos.
OTHER AWARDS OF THE HON. MAYOR BENJAMIN C. ABALOS, JR.
The City of Mandaluyong in particular the Hon. Mayor Benjamin C. Abalos, jr. was conferred this award by the International Association of Business Communicators on September 14, 2015 at the Grand Ballroom, Intercontinental Hotel, Makati City for effectively championing utilization of communication strategies to achieve excellence in governance goals.
This recognition was given to the Hon. Mayor Benjamin C. Abalos, Jr. by the United Nations Children’s Fund and the Philippine Red Cross in October 2014.
In January 2012, the Hon. Mayor Benjamin C. Abalos, Jr. received the Outstanding Philanthropist in Public Governance Award from the Rotary Club of Cubao East D3780 in partnership with the Countrywide Technology Development (CTD) Foundation, Inc. and the Junior Chamber International – Senate Philippines at the AFP Commissioned Officers Clubhouse, Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.
The Outstanding Performance in Local Government Service and Most Significant Achievement of a Local Official in Nation Building, People Empowerment and Community Development Award was given to Hon. Mayor Benjamin C. Abalos, Jr. by the Philippine American War Centennial Foundation in October 2011.