A 304-page coffee table book that presents the accomplishments of former Parañaque City Mayor Edwin Olivarez, now the city’s first district representative, was launched on Thursday, Sept. 15.
The launching of the book titled “Parañaque, A Mega City by the Bay” was held at The Forum, Solaire Resort and Casino.
It is a legacy book on what the local government under the leadership of Olivarez had achieved from June 2013 to June 2022. It features the Bagong Parañaque envisioned by the mayor when he took his oath of office in 2013.
The transformation of Parañaque as a megacity city is an ongoing process and it was given the needed push during the tenure of the former mayor.
“Parañaque, A Mega City by the Bay” was institutionalized as the official brand of the city by virtue of City Ordinance No. 2022-191 passed by the city council and approved by Olivarez in February, this year.
The book contains topics such as infrastructures for development, an environment-friendly and livable city, good governance, peace and order, social welfare services, education, and employment and livelihood.
Divided into seven chapters, the book takes the readers back to the city’s earliest history.
There is a chapter on arts and culture that incorporates the city’s customs and tradition, art and fashion, and cuisine.
Also included are the famous Bulungansa La Huerta, Sayaw ng Pagbati, Sunduan, Caracol, and Lambat festivals.
The book also has a chapter detailing the Project: ELO (Express Lane Operation), an innovative platform now being replicated in other local government units (LGUs).
This innovation is under the Business Permits and Processing Office (BPLO) headed by lawyer Melanie S. Malaya, who also served as editor-in-chief and co-publisher of the book along with Media Touchstone Ventures, Inc. (MTVi).
Project ELO plays a vital role to ensure the financial health of the city. It provides an atmosphere conducive to business locators and investors in the city.
The ease of doing business in the city through Project ELO is a model for other LGUs.