Recognized as a force for sustainability, Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto was awarded as a "Honorary Local Chief Executive of the Year" under the gold category at the 2022 Nation Builders and Mosliv Awards (NBMA) on Saturday, March 19.
The ceremony was held at the Grand Ballroom of the Okada Manila in Parañaque City.
The NBMA 2022 recognized various members of government, non-government, and private organizations and departments for their efforts in fostering and implementing sustainable solutions and practices for the social and environmental development of communities.
The NBMA committee commended Sotto for "ushering in a new era of young public servants dedicated to modest and competent public service".
The organization also cited the mayor's programs in health, education, social services, and the economy, as well as his advocacy on transparent governance.
Sotto gave a short acceptance speech through a video message sent to the event.
"Let's all continue to work together despite the difficult times because of the pandemic in order to make our society more liveable and sustainable," he said.
Sotto was notably the only Metro Manila mayor among the 12 other honorees of the award.
Other awardees were Mayor Engr. Joseph Tan of Santiago City, Cagayan; Mayor Pryde Henry Teves of Bayawan City, Negros Occidental; Mayor Richard Gomez of Ormoc City, Leyte; Mayor Arturo Robes of San Jose Del Monte City, Bulacan; Mayor Marjorie Perales of Toledo City, Cebu; Mayor Jose Relampagos of Panabo City, Davao del Norte; Mayor Salvador Escalante Jr. of Cadiz City, Negros Occidental; Mayor Nielo Tupas of Barotac Viejo, Iloilo; Mayor Engr. Carlos Lopez, Jr. of Asingan City, Pangasinan; Mayor Atty. Maria Rochelle Carolino of Santa Maria City, Laguna; Mayor Engr. Emerson Lachica of Kalibo, Aklan; and Mayor Jose Teves III of Baras, Catanduanes.
The mayor previously received the "Local Chief Executive of the Year" award in the 2021 ceremony.
Pasig City was also recognized as a certified "Most Sustainable and Liveable City" in the Philippines in 2021, citing the local government's socialized housing project for communities residing in danger prone areas.
The NBMA is organized by the Most Sustainable and Liveable Community by Sustainability Standards group, which comprises multi-sectoral organizations that aim to expand and integrate sustainable initiatives in all levels of government, non-government, and private sectors.