Bacnotan, Baguio judged top LGUs

EXEMPLARY cities and municipalities were recognized in The Manila Times Philippine Model Cities and Municipalities 2024 Awards on Thursday. After a screening and judging process applied to 26 cities and 12 municipalities, the municipality of Bacnotan in La Union and Baguio City emerged as the top local government units (LGUs) for their steadfast commitment to providing sustainable development and economic growth for their residents through various initiatives. ​​​​ Bacnotan was hailed as the best in Technology Territory, Safe Haven, and Food Security Enabler as well as Sustainability Champion. On the other hand, Baguio City took home the Top Model City prize for taking first place in the Education Hub, Family First, Livelihood and Employment Centered, Retirement Haven, Safe Haven, Social Service Oriented and Food Security Enabler categories and first runner-up in the Sustainability Champion category. With the theme "Reinventing, reinvigorating urban living," the Philippine Model Cities and Municipalities 2024 celebrated the progress and development in urban areas across the country. It highlighted the capability of the local governments' capability to reduce poverty; enhance productivity and profitability; integrate information, communications and technology, and governance strategies; benchmark best practices; universalize literacy in the country; reform competitiveness in local trade and investments; and streamline the ease of doing business. The complete list of winners: For the municipalities: — Infrastructure Innovator Santa Maria, Bulacan – Education Hub Candelaria, Quezon – Eco Friendly Dumangas, Isabela – Family First Binangonan, Rizal – Business Friendly Kalibo, Aklan – Livelihood and Employment Centered San Marcelino, Zambales – Retirement Haven Liloan, Cebu – Safe Haven Bacnotan, La Union – Emergency and Disaster Management Excellence Los Baños, Laguna – Social Service Oriented Noveleta, Cavite – Wealth Center Plaridel, Bulacan – Tourism and Culture Hub Taytay, Rizal – Tech Territory Bacnotan, La Union – Food Security Enabler Bacnotan, La Union – Sustainability Champion Bacnotan, La Union – Top Model Municipalities 2nd Runner Up Candelaria, Quezon Liloan, Cebu 1st Runner Up Kalibo, Aklan Top Philippine Model Municipality Bacnotan, La Union For the cities: – Infrastructure Innovator Mandaue City Runner up: Baguio City – Education Hub General Trias City 1st Runner up: Ozamis City 2nd Runner up: Valenzuela City – Eco Friendly Baguio City 1st Runner up: Meycauayan City 2nd Runner up: Alaminos City – Family First Baguio City 1st Runner up: Puerto Princesa City 2nd Runner up: Lucena City – Business Friendly Mandaue City 1st Runner up: Ormoc City & Baliwag City 2nd Runner up: Balanga City & Tuguegarao City – Livelihood and Employment Centered Baguio City 1st Runner up: Digos City 2nd Runner up: Pasay City – Retirement Haven Baguio City Runner-up: Cauayan City – Safe Haven Baguio City 1st Runner up: Calamba City 2nd Runner up: Laoag City & Malabon City – Emergency and Disaster Management Excellence Mandaue City Runner up: Parañaque City – Social Service Oriented Baguio City Runner up: San Jose Del Monte City – Wealth Center Mandaue City 1st Runner up: Digos City 2nd Runner up: Butuan City & Calamba City – Tourism and Culture Hub Victorias City 1st Runner up: Digos City 2nd Runner up: Bacolod City – Technology Territory Victorias City 1st Runner up: Mandaue City 2nd Runner up: Bacoor City – Food Security Enabler Baguio City 1st Runner up: Victorias City 2nd Runner up: Masbate City & Talisay City — Sustainability Champion Victorias City 1st Runner up: Baguio City – Top Model Municipalities 2nd Runner Up: Victorias City 1st Runner Up: Calamba City Top Philippine Model Municipality: Baguio City The board of judges for this year's Philippine Model Cities and Municipalities Awards were: Architect Felino Palafox Palafox Associates Mai Sigue-Bisnar Partner, Advisory Services, Brand & Communications and Business Development Groups Leader P&A Grant Thornton Sheila Lobien CEO Lobien Realty Group Rosemarie Bosch-Ong SEVP and COO Wilcon Depot Loren Sales EVP and COO PHirst