The Antipolo City government and the Gender and Development (GAD) unit of the San Pablo, Laguna local government held a benchmarking activity to share insights and ideas on the best practices of the two local government units (LGUs).
According to Antipolo City Mayor Jun Ynares, representatives from San Pablo visited the city hall to learn about Antipolo's best practices on child and youth development, women, persons with disabilities (PWD), elderly-related programs, family development, indigenous people’s development, and crisis intervention and disaster response.
The city government also toured the San Pablo officials around Antipolo's GAD Center, Sports Hub, ACHS – Annex IV, Hinulugang Taktak, and the International Shrine of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage.
"Nagagalak po kami na paniwala niyo na ito ay kahanga-hanga at maaaring gawin din sa inyong lungsod sa Laguna (We are happy and grateful for your belief that all our programs can also be implemented in your city in Laguna)," Ynares said.
"Challenging na pagsilbihan ang halos mag-iisang milyon na populasyon lalo’t ika nga, ang serbisyo dito sa Antipolo ay “from womb to tomb" o sa tagalog, mula sa “sinapupunan hanggang sa huling hantungan.” Pero dahil sa dedikasyon at sipag na rin ng ating mga kawani at social workers, nagagawa po nating tugunan ang pangangailangan ng mamamayan anuman ang kanilang estado sa lipunan, gulang o kasarian (It is quite challenging to serve around one million individuals since our quality of service is "from womb to tomb." But because of the dedication and perseverance of our officials and social workers, we are able to respond to the needs of our citizens whatever their social status, age, or sex are)," he added.
The mayor stressed that the city's recent recognitions which included the Seal of Child-Friendly Local Governance coming from the Council for the Welfare of Children and Gawad Edukampyon Awards will not be achieved if not for the unity of both its residents and the local government.
On Aug. 6, Antipolo City bagged the Green Banner Seal Award which is the highest recognition in the 2023 Calabarzon Regional Nutrition Awarding Ceremony (RNAC) for its outstanding nutrition program implementation of the National Nutrition Council's (NNC) Philippine Plan of Action (PPAN).
The RNAC is a yearly event recognizing local government units (LGUs) and nutrition workers for their outstanding performance in implementing PPAN nutrition programs.
The new PPAN highlights food and nutrition policies and strategies intended for stakeholders and duty-bearers from the government, non government organizations (NGOs), development partners, academe, the private sector, and local government units, and focuses primarily on addressing all forms of malnutrition with particular attention to stunting and wasting, overweight and obesity, poor infant and young child feeding practices, and micronutrient deficiencies.
Ynares said this year, at least 11 localities and groups around the country held benchmarking activities with the city government. These are the:
- City of San Pablo, Laguna
- Municipality of Kalayaan, Laguna
- Municipality of Pinamalayan, Oriental Mindoro
- Kababaihang Manananggol ng Bulacan
- Municipality of Gloria, Oriental Mindoro
- Sangguniang Panlungsod of La Union
- Batangas City
- CSWD – Pasig City
- Liga ng mga Barangay, Municipality of Pilar, Sorsogon
- Barangay Federation on Committee Chairman on Environment, Naga City
- Sangguniang Barangay Teachers Village East, Quezon City