THE local government of Manila reaped awards for its efficient system and approach regarding the aspects of education, pandemic and business in the city during the recent Digital Governance Awards 2021.

Mayor Isko Moreno thanked the DICT for the three awards it gave to the city, saying it will inspire them all the more to better serve Manilans and those doing business in the city as the local government continues to lure investors amid the pandemic.

The city of Manila was awarded Best in Customer Empowerment Award for ‘Connection for Inclusion’ (first place, city level); Best in LGU Empowerment Award for its COVID-19 Testing Center Web Lab-IS (first place, city level); and Best in Business Empowerment Award for its GO Manila App end-to-end solution (2nd place, city level).

For the first award, Moreno lauded Division of City Schools Superintendent Magdalena Lim for the efficient distribution of the free tablets, laptops and 10Gb bandwidth to the thousands of public school students and teachers which earned the city the said recognition from the DICT.

Regarding the second award, Moreno commended Sta. Hospital Director Dr. Grace Padilla and all the medical and health frontliners for all their sacrifices and efforts, as he cited the number of such frontliners who got infected and lost their very own lives in the name of duty.

“Maraming salamat sa inyong mga hirap, pagod, pawis at ‘yung iba na-impeksyon at nasawi pa. Salamat kay Dra. Padilla sa magandang sistema ng pamamalakad ng data at communication system ng ating COVID-19 testing center sa Sta. Ana Hospital, sampu ng iyong mga kasamahan. I’m so proud of you,” the mayor enthused.

Moreno also praised Bureau of Permis and Licensing Office head Levi Facundo and Electronic Data Processing chief Fortune Palileo whom he said are the reasons why the city received its third award which has made life easier for business establishment owners already operating in and who wish to invest in Manila.

“Ang mga award na ito ay mga sukli ng ating pagsisikap at pagpupursigi na di matatawaran dahil ahensiya ng gobyerno ang nagbigay niyan. Last year, na- grandslam natin ang DTI tapos out of over 600 cities, nag-Top 50 ang Manila and Butuan, dalawa lang sa buong bansa,” Moreno proudly stated.

“Congrats to the city, to team Manila at sa mga Batang Maynila. This is for you. Unti-unti at patuloy na knikilala ng ibang mundo at maging ng national government at malalaking organisasyon ‘yung ating sama-samang pagsisinop, pagsisikap at pagiging episyente natin, kahit sa loob ng maikling panahon,” said Moreno, who is also running for president under the Aksyon Demokratiko party.

The mayor thanked the DICT not only for the recognition but also for the prize, a TV which he said the city can use for its digital conferencing and access to digital learning.

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Itchie G. Cabayan