Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia received the “Best Pilot City” award given to Bacolod City at the closing ceremonies of the Partnership for Democratic Local Governance in Southeast Asia held in Bangkok, Thailand, yesterday.

Councilor Em Legaspi-Ang who is with the Bacolod group said in a telephone interview, that they are happy that the DELGOSEA project manager congratulated Bacolod City for the successful implementation of the project when Bacolod adopted the PPP best practice.

DELGOSEA project manager Susan Stephan lauded Leonardia, for his “strong commitment and brilliant leadership” in making Bacolod City a better nurturer for the youth. Stephan was referring to the construction of the Bacolod City Youth Home.

She also said that Bacolod is on the right track for investing in the youth sector, and counting on the support and commitment of people, the public and the private sectors.

Ang said Bacolod is the only city from the Philippines out of the 122 cities joining the DELGOSEA project. The four ASEAN countries included are Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia and Indonesia.

Reacting to the award, Leonardia said “We never asked for this. This was given to us on a silver platter. We are the first city in the Philippines to have been given the chance, honor and privilege to receive this opportunity to learn the best practices of our neighboring countries.”

He said Bacolod is lucky to be chosen by DELGOSEA to replicate the local governance best practice on People Private Public Partnership of Cambodia.

Ang said the mayor convened on August 1 the Consortium of Community Development Council and they are ready to implement the PPP project which is the Youth Home for children in conflict with the law.

Also in the delegation from Bacolod are Councilor Caesar Distrito and members of the Technical Working Group.

Leonardia said the organizational expenses they incur in traveling to Thailand are shouldered by the European Union.

Ang also said there is a designated market place at the final conference where all pilot cities have their exhibits. One of the well-visited markets is that of Bacolod, she said.*CGS

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