Leonardia happy over PGMA's presence at NGC
BACOLOD CITY -- Mayor Evelio R. Leonardia was happy to receive President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and her party to the New Government Center (NGC) last Thursday for the awarding rites of the Regional Development Council Excellence in Governance: Best Public Sector Projects Awards in its year 3.
Leonardia told President Arroyo during his welcome remarks that, “Nothing is much more inspiring, nothing has much given us that much honor and nothing has overwhelmed us in this project than the presence of her Excellency Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. Thank you for making this complete to us in Bacolod City. Your presence is all that matters now.”
He said, “Our doors are open to welcome the President to the City of Bacolod especially to the government center.”
President Arroyo was with Environment Secretary Lito Atienza and National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales, Deputy Presidential Spokesman Usec. Anthony Golez.
President Arroyo joined the regional, provincial and local officials in honoring the local government units which have come up with innovative and real economic, social and administration development projects that have greatly helped in uplifting and improving the lives of their constituents.
The President has personally handed out to the 12 winners of the RDC VI Best Public Sector awards.
This BPSPA serves to recognize and emulate good public sector practices, excellence in governance, and effective program and project implementation initiated by the local government units to uplift and improve the lives of their constituents, said RDC Chair Gov. Perez.
This year’s winners in the Regional Line Agencies category were the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP VI) Multi-Purpose Cooperative; Department of Health (DOH VI) program Empowering Persons Living with HIV/AIDS and ISO Certification of the Land Transportation Office, Region VI Licensing center.
On the State Universities and Colleges, the winners were Aklan State University Isla Kapispisan Mangrove Reforestation and Eco-Tourism project; Capiz State University Coconut Breeding program and University of the Philippines in the Visayas program towards community-managed peace and order initiatives.
In the Provincial and City Government Units, the awardees were the Province of Negros Occidental’s Computerized Real Property Tax Accounting (RPTA) System project; San Carlos City’s Eco-Center project and Talisay City’s Comprehensive Health and Development program.
On the municipal Government units, the winners were on the Health Nutrition Development program of Nabas, Aklan Integrated Health Care program of Sebaste, Antique and Ecological Solid Waste Management Program of Sta. Barbara, Iloilo.
Governor Isidro P. Zayco, Mayor Evelio R. Leonardia and Gov. Perez have assisted the President in handing out the awards and cash prizes to the winners.
Governor Isidro P. Zayco also expressed his gratitude to receive the award from the President.
“We hope that this project to continue in the coming years because this will encourage the local government units to do better,” he said.
President Arroyo, after the awarding the proceeded to the Ruins in Talisay City, a mansion which was burned in the early part of the World War II but currently still stands tall that awe both the local and foreign tourist because of its picture perfect backdrop and a magnificent sight to see.
The President had their lunch at The Ruins and proceeded to the Bacolod-Silay airport for her departure to Manada, Indonesia.