The City of Santa Rosa has another accolade to include to its long list of recognitions as it received the “Safe Haven Award” from The Manila Times Philippine Model Cities held at the New World Manila Bay Hotel last May 11, 2017.
The Safe Haven Award is in recognition of the city’s peace and order programs and situation. Representing Mayor Danilo Ramon Fernandez during the awards rites is City Administrator Manuel Alipon.
Administrator Alipon received the award from The Manila Times President and Chief Executive Officer Dante Francis Ang II and Chief Operating Officer Blanca Mercado.
The Manila Times Philippine Model Cities aims to recognize effective and innovative local governance that improves the quality of life and makes local business environments friendlier.
Bacolod City was named Top Philippine Model City while other awardees included Batangas, Davao, General Santos, Laoag, Mandaluyong, Naga, Parañaque, Quezon, San Fernando, Tagaytay, and Zamboanga.
Awardees for The Manila Times Philippine Model Cities pose with The Manila Times President and CEO Dante Francis Ang II (rightmost) and COO Blanca Mercado (leftmost). Awardees include Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia (center) as the Top Philippine Model City. Special awards were received by Nunungan, Lanao de Norte Mayor Marcos Mamay, Marco Polo Davao General Manager Dottie Wurgler-Cronin for Davao City, San Fernando, Pampanga Mayor Edwin Santiago, Batangas City Mayor Beverly Rose Dimacuha, Zamboanga City Mayor Isabel Climaco, Mandaluyong City Mayor Carmelita Abalos, General Santos Vice Mayor Shirlyn Nograles, Sta. Rosa City Administrator Manuel Alipon, Laoag City Mayor Chevylle Fariñas, Parañaque City Mayor Edwin Olivarez, Tagaytay City Planning Officer Carlos Zuñiga and Naga City Mayor John Bongat.
Other categories in the awards are Rest and Recreation, Research and Development, Health and Education, Clean and Green, Road and Home, Livelihood and Employment, Youth and Elders, Tax and Services, Emergency / Disaster Preparedness.
Truly a Safe Haven
Leaders of the City of Santa Rosa have always believed that a peaceful and orderly community is an indication of a well-developed city. This is why the City Government had always made efforts to work with and provide support to the Philippine National Police and other peacekeeping officers to ensure that its residents, locators and visitors are safe.
The major focus of the city now is on its anti-drugs campaign.
Santa Rosa City Administrator Manuel Alipon received the Safe Haven Award from The Manila Times President and Chief Executive Officer Dante Francis Ang II (right) and Chief Operating Officer Blanca Mercado (left).
On January 14 of this year, the city formally opened its rehabilitation center, the first ever local government unit-operated rehabilitation center in the country. Aptly called the Dangal ng Pagbabago Rehabilitation Center, Mayor Fernandez implemented this program as an immediate response to President Rodrigo Duterte’s call to address the need for a facility to help rehabilitate the drug dependents who voluntarily surrendered to the Police during the conduct of Operation Tokhang. PNP Chief Director General Ronaldo “Bato” Dela Rosa graced the opening ceremonies.
“Ours is a city that is getting industrialized more and more each day, that is why peace and order is among our priorities to keep the investors coming in and to keep them to stay. We are committed to making Santa Rosa drug-free and we are in unity with the war against drugs of the President,” Mayor Fernandez said in an interview.
“But ours is not only a fight against drug syndicate and the proliferation of illegal drugs. Our fight is also to save lives – to ensure that drug dependents, who are victims of the illegal drug trade, are rehabilitated and be able to return to society,” he said.
This is not the first award the city received related to peace and order. Awards from the PNP include the Best Component City Police Station for 2015, Best Police Station – Nationwide 2015, Outstanding Local Government Unit (LGU) of the Year 2013, Best Police Station in 2010, 2011 and 2013.
Former mayor and now Congresswoman Arlene B. Arcillas also received awards in this sector during her administration. These include the Outstanding Local Chief Executive Regionwide and the Best Local Chief Executive –National Level.
Reference: ARIES ZAPANTA City Information Officer
Contact Nos. 0927-6267869/ (049) 530-0015 loc. 3701
