The Manila Times Philippine Model Cities Forum recognized ICLEI SEAS member cities for their outstanding efforts in making their municipalities better urban pockets.

Sta. Rosa City, represented by city administrator Mauel Alipon, bagged the Safe Haven Award for their notable initiatives in keeping peace and order. Batangas City, on the other hand, got the Environment Friendly Award, which was received by Mayor Beverly Rose Dimacuha. The city of San Fernando in Pampanga was lauded for making business processes and transactions straightforward and thus received the Business Friendly Award, which was presented by  P&A Grant Thornton. Naga City, represented by Mayor John Bongat, was given the Livelihood and Employment Haven Award for creating jobs that supported the self-suffiency of its residents.

A salutation for remarkable infrastructure and housing projects, the Road Home Award, was bagged by General Santos City.

Bacolod City emerged as the overall winner; recognized as the country’s most livable urban center.

San Fernando, Pampanga and General Santos became ICLEI member cities in 2006 and was involved in the ACCESSanitation and Urban Biodiversity projects respectively. Naga, a member city since 2003, is currently committed to the Urban Nexus project of GIZ. Quezon City, on the other hand, has been a member since 2007 while Santa Rosa became a member in 2014.

Batangas City, Santa Rosa, Naga City, and Quezon City are also official members of the Compact of Mayors.