UNESCO names Rosal as outstanding mayor

By Emmanuel Solis LEGAZPI CITY--- For carrying out efficient programs on environment, education, and tourism, this city’s chief executive, Noel E. Rosal, was named the country’s most outstanding mayor in local governance by the United Nations, Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Professor Shahbaz Khan, director regional of the Science Bureau for Asia and the Pacific and UNESCO Representative for Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Timor-Leste, handed the award to Legazpi City’s Mayor Rosal during the 2018 International Assembly of Youth for UNESCO held at the Icon Hotel in Quezon City over the weekend. UNESCO is a specialized agency of the United Nations which aims to contribute to the building of peace as well as poverty eradication, sustainable development and intellectual dialogue through education, science, culture, communication and information. Yugi Suzuki, director general of the National Federation of UNESCO Associations in Japan, expressed elation for the continuous progress and development of Legazpi that has made the city one of the best areas for investment in the country. In an interview, he said that the recognition was based on the programs and projects implemented by the city administration, including its Solid Waste Management Program, as well as the infrastructure development, Risk Reduction Management Program, improvement in tourism industry, culture, bio-diversity and education system. The effective implementation of the “No Segregation, No Collection” policy on waste management has made Legazpi a model for being environmental-friendly. Rosal, in his message after receiving the UNESCO award last Saturday, said it’s an honor for him to be chosen as the Most Outstanding Mayor for good local governance. He said the prestigious award was the result of the synergy of the members of the city council as well as the department heads, all the work force of the city administration, including the cooperation of all the stakeholders and people of Legazpi, which put the city in the map in terms of development and progress. He added that the award would be converted into an investment opportunity that will surely help improve the economic rating of the city and result in more jobs for his constituents. PNA