The City Government of Tagum made it again to the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council’s (HUDCC) roll of winners for this year’s search for Best LGU Practices, this time capturing the number one rank in the country.
Held at Century Park Hotel, Manila on December 09, 2016, the National Drive Against Professional Squatters and Squatting Syndicates (NDAPSSS) an inter-agency task force composed of 11 national government agencies as headed by HUDCC, bestowed the first place of the said search to LGU Tagum for its housing programs anchored on sound legislative actions, pragmatic policies, and the effective implementation of innovative anti-squatting programs and projects.
Vice Mayor Geterito Gementiza, MDMG led in receiving the plaque of recognition along with City Councilors Agripino Coquilla, Jr and Datu Damiano Cipro, and Engr. Bernardo Castor, head of the technical working group of the Local Housing Board as chaired by Mayor Allan Rellon. Aside from the plaque, Tagum City is also entitled to receive a 175,000-peso cash prize.
Notably, Tagum City was shortlisted to the said award for three years in a row. Last 2014, the city government was awarded with a special citation and on 2015 was recognized as second place. The consecutive wins of Tagum City are due to the impressive record sustained by the Local Housing Board in providing the Tagum constituency with quality housing programs.
Atty. Angel Olastro III, HUDCC’s Undersecretary, said that the housing and anti-squatting drive is one of the many tools of the government in ensuring a transparent and participatory administration.
Meanwhile, Engr. Castor also shared to the crowd the best practices of Tagum’s housing board and the many programs implemented in the city which were fastened in helping Tagumenyos who do not have permanent domiciles.
Succeeding Tagum City’s rank is Angono, Rizal followed by Island Garden City of Samal. The LGUs that received the special citations were Kidapawan City, Malabon City, Tagaytay City and Municipality of Tanay. (Roy Banias/CIO Tagum)
