As a model of effective governance and excellent public service in the country, Valenzuela City topped all local government units to become the Local Government Unit Luminary for 2011 in the 1^st Meralco Luminaries Awards.

The award was bestowed for the prompt delivery of basic services and social welfare and development programs, and utilizing the benefits of public-private partnership in bringing about positive change in the lives of the constituents 

Luminaries Award recognizes the best practices and most inspiring stories among Meralco’s partners in the private and public sectors, particularly those which have resulted in optimized energy consumption, improved operational efficiency, community development and nation-building.

According to Meralco, among LGUs, Valenzuela shone the brightest – a shining example for others to emulate.

It was also noted that Valenzuela City, through the leadership of Mayor Sherwin T. Gatchalian, exerted efforts to streamline its business application processes.  Because of this, the World Bank and International Finance Corp. (IFC) lauded the city for being one of the most business-friendly cities in the Philippines in 2011. With its “Biz Bilis” anti-red tape drive, the city was able to establish an efficient business application process and a one-stop shop processing structure.

“We want to move forward from a highly-industrialized city to high-technology and commercialized city,” Mayor WIN said.

The City Government is also one with the world in resolving the issue of climate change and in the steps to lessen the carbon footprints by upholding programs to promoting alternative sources of energy.

Among these is the installation of solar panels at the 1^st Solar School Building in National Capital Region (NCR) in Sitero Francisco Memorial National High School in Barangay Ugong and at the 1^st Solar Library in the NCR in Lawang Bato National High School in Valenzuela City.

Mayor WIN believes that having a partner in the private sector, such as Meralco, is an asset in the continued growth of the fast-growing cities like Valenzuela City.  More than just a reliable energy service provider, he said, “Meralco serves as a business ally in improving the city’s public services, also assisting the city in energy optimization and disaster recovery.”

Like Gawad Kalinga and Dakilang Handog Foundation, Inc. which were instrumental in the fulfilment of the life-long dream of the typhoon Ondoy victims in the city to have safer homes they can call their own through the housing project, Disiplina Village, the One Meralco Foundation (OMF) was the partner in providing energy to light the 52-housing buildings.

Meralco Luminaries Awards the company’s revitalized advocacy for nation-building and drive for progress.