For the City of Cadiz, 2023, was its “featful” year.
Cadiz won a Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) and was a Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI) Lunsod Lunsad Creative Cities national awardee, a press release from the city said Sunday, January 7.
On the regional level, Cadiz also won three major awards in the Cities and Municipalities Competitive Index (CMCI) of DTI.
It won first place both in the government efficiency and most improved categories, and second place in innovation, the press release said.
The City Treasurer’s Office (CTO) and City Assessor’s Office (CAO) also were cited by the Bureau of Local Government Finance (BLGF) in Region 6 as number one among the 16 cities in Western Visayas with efficient local tax collection.
BLGF 6 also praised Cadiz’s CTO for collecting locally-sourced revenues of more than P300 million in 2022.
‘TOP YIELDER’
The Cadiz City Agriculture Office (CCAO) was also named “Top Yielder” awardee in Negros Occidental for reaching an average of 4.14 metric tons per hectare of rice production.
Its Local Civil Registry (LCR) was Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) implementation fourth placer for Western Visayas.
It was also cited by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) in Region 6 for its outstanding performance on birth registration.
On environmental programs, Cadiz was feted as among the Abanse Negrense Good Environmental Governance Awardees (ANGEGAs) in the province for its outstanding environmental information, education and advocacy campaign.
Cadiz Mayor Salvador Escalante Jr. was also named Environmental Champion Excellence (ECE) awardee by the Provincial Environment and Management Office (PEMO).
On social services, Cadiz was cited for its Supplementary Feeding Program (SFP)-12th Cycle, Liso Kabuhi Ko Community and Family Gardening Program LKKCFGP), Gender Responses (4th placer), 18-Day to End Violence Against Women (VAW) and Kahirapan Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS) implementation.
Its Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) child beneficiary, Louraine Gallo, was declared champion in this year’s search for Outstanding 4Ps Children.
Cadiz was also second runner-up in the Tourism Peal Awards by the Association of Tourism Officers in the Philippines (ATOP) for Best Tourism Weekly/Monthly Celebration.
The city was a Western Visayas “Pagdayaw” awardee for its effective campaign to accredit tourism establishments, the press release added.
EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION
In the field of information and communications, Cadiz’s monthly and bi-annual publications also won in the region.
The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) through the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) in Region 6 cited Saganak, the city’s monthly newsletter, as one of the top three leading government newsletters in Western Visayas.
Cadiz Bulletin’s (CB) feature story – The Culture – was also chosen as third placer in the special edition category.
Cadiz’ Nutrition Council was awarded with the “Green Banner Seal of Compliance”.
For three consecutive years (2021-2023), Cadiz was included among the five localities in the region to have an excellent nutrition program aimed at fighting or eliminating malnutrition, the press release said.
Cadiz’s Anti-Tuberculosis (TB) program was also cited for its excellence by the Department of Health (DOH).
While the Provincial Health Office (PHO) also cited Cadiz’s sustainable blood collection endeavor, Electronic Medical Record (EMR) implementation and unwavering commitment to Zero Open Defecation (ZOP) program of the province.
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) also cited Cadiz’s Public Employment Services Office (PESO) for exceptional performances on Job Applicants Placement (JAP), Employment of Students (EoS), Integrated Livelihood Program (ILP), and Job Applicants Referral Program (JARP).
‘BEYOND PROUD, READY’
Escalante said he was “beyond proud” with all these awards.
He is thankful for the support and cooperation of all the city officials, department heads and employees in their endeavors meant for the “greatness” of everyone in Cadiz, Escalante said.
“The journey towards genuine and effective public service is winding. But focus is the key and people’s welfare is always our utmost priority,” Escalante added.
In 2024 “we’re beyond ready for more challenges. But we assure Cadiznons that we’ll do our best for their ‘grandness’ still”, Escalante said*