Leyte town mayor adjudged as one of PHL’s best

TACLOBAN CITY, Jan. 28 (PNA) -- The local chief executive of a super typhoon Yolanda-ravaged town in Leyte has emerged as one of the five most outstanding mayors in the Philippines.

Tanauan, Leyte Mayor Pelagio Tecson, Jr. and other four local chief executives were awarded Wedenesday night at the historic Club Filipino in Greenhill, San Juan. 

The University of the Philippines National College of Administration and Governance, the Jesse Robredo Foundation, Freidrich Naumann Foundation, and San Miguel Corporation conferred the award.

Other mayors who earned the same recognition were Leoncio Evasco Jr. of Maribojoc, Bohol; Hubbert Dolor of Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro; Ramon Piang of Datu Upi, Maguindanao, and Carolyn Fariñas of San Felipe, Zambales.

The search for outstanding town mayors, dubbed as Tsinelas Leadership Awards 2015 is a search for outstanding mayor embodying former Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse M. Robredo’s leadership to more than 1,400 mayors in the country.

Tecson’s wife, Penelope and children were with him in receiving the award as well as Leyte Vice Governor Carlo P. Loreto.

“I am really honored for the recognition given to Tanauan and to me. This award is dedicated to my beloved people, this is for them, in fact this encourages me to do more for the people of Tanauan” Tecson said.

The search started last August 2015 and was launched during the 3rd death anniversary of the late DILG chief.

From more than 1,400 mayors, the organizers shortlisted the numbers to 60 mayors and later chose five as finalists, the organizers conducted research, validation and actual visit to the places of the finalist.

“Although the award is pure recognition and no remuneration involved, the recognition is more than enough for him to work harder for the people of Tanauan,” Tecson added. (PNA)
PGL/SQM/LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA/EGR