Maasin City's Awards in 2011

Maasin City, Southern Leyte received many accolades in 2011.  It won for the second time the Red Orchid Award given by the Department of Health in cooperation with the World Health Organization and the Bloomberg Foundation.  The Red Orchid Award showed Maasin is the top city in the implementation of the smoke-free environment.  It bested Davao, Roxas, Balanga and Legaspi City, who were also awardees in the city category.

Maasin City also won the Consistent Regional Outstanding Winner in Nutrition (CROWN) Award bestowed on the national level by the DOH and the National Nutrition Council.  That means Maasin has topped the city category in Region 8 for three consecutive years, besting Tacloban. Ormoc and Calbayog.

Maasin also won regional awards in health such as number one in Anti-Leprosy, Anti-Rabbies, Healthy Lifestyle, and  smoke-free college in Maasin City College.  It was the most decorated LGU in the DOH Regional Awards among municipalities, provinces and cities in 2011.

The Maasinhon Trio won the grand finals of the Pilipinas Got Talent contest over ABS-CBN.  Andrew Sanchez, Bonie Salubre, and Licinio Lolo became instant celebrities in the national music scene because of what Presidential sister Kris Aquino called as "leadership and unity in Maasin and So. Leyte."  thru text votes.

Maasin Batang Pinoy athletes won 8 medals in the national games for children in Naga City. Mary Joy Calapre won the gold medal in girls' singles and she teamed up with Angelica Baluran for the doubles gold.  We have also won a silver in badminton and another silver in boxing.  Bronze medals were won in boxing, badminton and taekwondo.

Philippine Boxing Federation featherweight champion Adones Aguelo successfully defended his title by 4th round TKO over Jake Verano in Siquijor.  While ALA Gym sensation Prince Albert Pagara won all his 9 pro fights when he started his pro career in 2011, knocking out 7 of his opponents, 3 of these fights at the Maasin City Gym.

The Maasin City Police Station was awarded the Most Outstanding Police Station in the entire region.  That means Maasin is still the most peaceful city in Eastern Visayas.  

The Maasin City Council won for three consecutive years the Most Outstanding City Council award in Region 8 and the Hall of fame awards.  Vice Mayor Effie Abiera Sabandal also won an award as one of the Outstanding Vice Mayors in the Philippines by the Vice Mayors League of the Philippines. 

I was also awarded the Dangal ng Bayan Award by the Civil Service Commission in the Regional level together with Rolito Royeras, Jr. of the City Treasurer's Office.