Muntinlupa commemorated its silver anniversary as a highly urbanized city on March 2. While considered one of the youngest cities in the Philippines, Muntinlupa has become a frontrunner in its class in terms of competitiveness and quality of life for its residents.
The local government of Muntinlupa organized a simple program for the city’s 25th founding anniversary on Monday, a day after its original cityhood date, at Muntinlupa City Hall.
The celebration kicked off with a Thanksgiving Mass followed by a flag-raising ceremony. Attending the program were Rep. Ruffy Biazon, Mayor Jaime Fresnedi, Vice-Mayor Temy Simundac, City Councilors, City Administrator Engr. Allan Cachuela, barangay officials, and partners from the private sector and national government agencies.
In his message, Fresnedi counted Muntinlupa’s progress to its residents, which he claimed as the city’s greatest resource. He also highlighted sustainability efforts of the City Government in developing Muntinlupa as a “smart city” with focus on programs for education.
“As we look forward to the coming years, we are certain that the direction of Muntinlupa is only geared towards development and becoming a smart city of the future. For this reason that I commit to prepare every Muntinlupeño, focusing on their education, and to construct necessary infrastructure to enable residents face new challenges and adapt to emerging trends,” Fresnedi said.
The local exec highlighted the local government’s initiative on expanding scholarship program from elementary to graduate school.
He noted the recent allowance hike, including the increase of cash gifts awarded to board topnotchers and latin honor graduates. Muntinlupa has the most scholarship program beneficiaries in the country with over 71,000 scholars.
Fresnedi also highlighted the construction of four school building, Aquatic Center, Track and Field Oval, groundbreaking of engineering college Colegio de Muntinlupa’s Building 2, and among others.
On March 1, 1995, Muntinlupa was converted from a municipality to a highly urbanized city and became the 65th city of the Philippines by virtue of Republic Act 7926.
Today, it has transformed into one of the leading investment hubs in the country with nine equally progressive barangays and a population of 504,509.
The city has been recognized as a model city in the country benchmarked by LGUs in the country and garnered several awards from various governing bodies.
Some of the citations include the Seal of Good Governance from DILG, Seal of Child-Friendly Local Governance from Regional Committee for Welfare of Children, Red Orchid Award, Jose Rizal Award for the fourth consecutive year, Gawad Bayanihan Award;
Rank 1 (NCR) for Local Revenue Collection from Economic Enterprises, Rank 3 (NCR) for Manila Bay Clean-up Rehabilitation and Preservation Program, citation from National Anti-Drug Abuse Council (ADAC), Gawad Pilak from the Landbank of the Philippines;
Most Business-Friendly City Award in 2018, Green Banner Award and Outstanding LGU in Nutrition Program Management in 2018, MERALCO Luminaries Award in 2018, Government Efficiency and Resilience Award (3rd Place) from National Competitiveness Council in 2017 and 2018, respectively; and Union Internationale des Transports Publics Awards in 2017, among others.