Press Release
March 12, 2013

ANGARA: LOCAL POLICY MAKERS KEY TO NAT'L
PROGRESS, COMPETITIVENESS

Senator Edgardo J. Angara highlighted the importance of policy-making at the grassroots level in national development as he addressed the Philippine Councilor's League (PCL) at the awarding of The Outstanding Councilors of the Philippines (TOCP) held recently.

"We in the Senate try to serve the needs of the country as a whole--but as local leaders you can see and feel the sentiments, the needs of your constituents, and use the unique assets and resources available to you," he explained.

During his keynote speech, Angara jokingly called himself "the grandfather of the TOCP award" as he founded the first TOCP awards in 2006, giving part of his Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) for the proposed projects of the winners.

According to Angara, this recognition of talented local leaders is vital to the country because we are on the verge of a momentous event--in just two years the Philippines will be part of the ASEAN Economic Community.

"When we join the ASEAN Community, we will be in direct competition with our neighbors. It will be a battle of ideas--and these young, dynamic leaders can and will prove that the Philippines is as good as all the other countries in the region," he said.

"More importantly," he added, "these councilors are in the perfect position to lead such a young country, since the average age of the Filipino is 26. They can lead our people to more prosperity, more equitable distribution of wealth and justice and fairness for all." Each of this year's ten awardees will receive P1.5 Million from the veteran senator's PDAF for projects and programs submitted to the board of judges, composed of members of the Junior Chamber International (JCI).

THE OUTSTANDING COUNCILORS OF THE PHILIPPINES

MINDANAO:
Ivy Martia Lei D. Ballitoc of M'lang, Cotabato
Luzviminda E. Torrino of Liloy, Zamboanga del Norte

VISAYAS
Ephraim O. Licayan of Guindulman, Bohol
Christian D. Sorongon of New Lucena, Iloilo

LUZON
Troy Alexander G. Miano of Cabatuan, Isabela
Rowena L. Sandoval of Cuyo, Palawan

CITY CATEGORY
Psyche M. Sucaldito of Tacurong City (Mindanao)
Jerry T. Yaokasin of Tacloban City (Visayas)
Carolyn D. Sison of Alaminos City (Luzon)
Jesus Manuel C. Suntay of Quezon City (NCR)

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