The Gawad Parangal validating team of the Association of Local Social Welfare Officers of Philippines, Inc. (ALSWOPI) has expressed awe and wonder over the city’s massive infrastructure projects which was implemented without securing loans from any financial institutions.

The validating team was in the city August 30-September 1 to confirm the city’s entry in the Search for Most Outstanding Chief Executive in the implementation of social services. Mayor Lobregat is vying for the Hall of Fame this year, as he has been consistent in the outstanding list in the search in 2007 and 2008.

Heidi Patio, Gawad Parangal Award chair, said Mayor Lobregat has consistently showed dynamism in the implementation of social welfare projects and programs.

“Nakita naming yong mga best practices ng Zamboanga City, in terms of provision of social welfare services, one of the strengths are the center management. You have different centers for women, children, social development and many others, puede talagang ipagmalaki, napakaluwag at very comfortable yong mga clients”, Ms. Patio, ALSWOPI president declared after a 2-day onsite inspection of the different social welfare facilities.

Patio said she is surprised that Mayor Lobregat, because of sound fiscal management, has been able to initiate the construction of various infrastructures for social welfare and other flagship programs by using purely local funds.

“All these projects were implemented without borrowing any single cent from any financial institution,” she added.

Patio, social welfare officer of Angeles City, was accompanied by Chrysalene Cunanan and Ms. Anneley Pation — all officers of the ALSWOPI.

The team’s itinerary included visits to the Social Development Center, Women Crisis Center, Ward 9 and Senior Citizen Ward, Women and Children Protection Unit, Project Hope at Sangali and the Millennium Development Goals Family-Based Actions for Children and their Environs in the Slums (MDG-FACES), Guisao Kalipi Women Group, Day Care Centers, Office of the Senior Citizen Affairs, Ahon Badjao anf Fresh Culture Pearl Projects.