CITY OF MALOLOS -- Out of the 21 towns and three cities that battled for the cleanest town/city title in the province, Gov. Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado conferred the town of San Rafael, led by Mayor Lorna Silverio, the “Pinakamalinis at Luntiang Bayan o Lungsod sa Lalawigan ng Bulacan 2011” award at the Bulacan Capitol Gymnasium yesterday.

San Rafael received a cash prize worth P100, 000 and  P1 million aid for infrastructure projects. Bustos received P50,000 and P500, 000 aid also for infrastructure projects while the City of San Jose Del Monte who won 3rd runner up received P30, 000 cash prize and P200, 000 aid for infrastructure projects.  

Provincial Administrator Jim Valerio, chairman of the Bantay Kalinisan Task Force, said  this program aims to put teeth on the Republic Act 9003 or “Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000” and encourage the collective effort of local government units in keeping the cleanliness and beauty of the province.

Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Sec. Jesse Robredo in his talk about the “Seal of Good Governance and Seal of Good Housekeeping,” reminded the public officials that along with their power to lead are their responsibility to serve with integrity.

Other personalities who shared their views about good governance are Rev. Fr. Melo Diola who discussed about “Good Governance and Ethics in Politics” and Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Technical Director Forestry Management Services Dr. Sofio Quintana, Region 3 with the topic about “Good Governance on Environment.”

Senior Supt. Fernando Mendez Jr., Bulacan provincial director, all police chiefs of the province also graced the event.