Mayor Guiani is finalist for Presidential Lingkod Bayan Award

COMPETENCE --- Cotabato City Mayor Atty. Frances Cynthia Guiani- Sayadi receives the award as “Presidential Lingkod Bayan” regional finalist in the Search for Outstanding Public Officials and Employees under the Honor and Award Program (HAP) of the Civil Service Commission (CSC). The award was given last September 11 by CSC-12 Regional Director Grace R. Belgado-Saqueton during a simple ceremony at the People’s Palace. Presidential Lingkod Bayan Award is the highest category of the search program. (GILMHAR A. LAO - MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

COTABATO CITY --- The city government of Cotabato steps another milestone after Cotabato City Mayor Atty. Frances Cynthia Guiani- Sayadi received an award last September 11 as “Presidential Lingkod Bayan” regional finalist in the Search for Outstanding Public Officials and Employees under the Honor and Award Program (HAP) of the Civil Service Commission (CSC).

Grace R. Belgado-Saqueton, CSC-12 Regional Director, handed over to Mayor Guiani-Sayadi a plaque stating that she is a regional finalist for the award, from among 58,000 nominees from across the region. The awarding ceremony took place at the People’s Palace and witnessed by the employees of the city government and various sectors.

It was learned that the Presidential Lingkod Bayan Award is the highest category of the search program. Other categories include Dangal ng Bayan Award and Pag-asa Award.

Saqueton said Mayor Guiani-Sayadi was chosen after she vigorously pursued drastic forms to improve Cotabato City’s peace and order condition. She believed that any economic development initiate will never prosper or materialize if the situation remains the same.

Referred to as the city’s “Architect of Development”, Mayor Guiani-Sayadi led various peace and development initiatives and one of these is the “Joint Task Force Kutawato”. The Task Force aims to secure the city from criminal groups especially the kidnappers, extortionists and other organized and unorganized lawless elements.

She also worked closely with military, police and other security sectors as well as the barangay officials to secure the city from possible threat. This effort has gained back the confidence of the business/investors as well as the local and foreign tourists.

Further, it was her leadership in 2016 that recorded Cotabato City with a total new investment of P275.84 Million Pesos. With this, the city government registered total gross sales of investments of P6.018 Billion.

In addition, foreign investors also became interested to put up capital in Cotabato City. More than 20 high ranking businessmen executives from leading business groups and government officials from different countries visited Cotabato City for more viable business ventures.

Mayor Guiani-Sayadi also intensified campaign against illegal drugs trade and other forms of criminalities. She organized the Joint Ronda Patrol in cooperation with the Cotabato City Police where she would lead in the roaming/patrolling around to every corner and streets of the city’s 37 barangays every night. The team also strictly implements the ordinance on curfew hours for minors.

As a City Administrator, she assisted the then Mayor Japal Guiani, Jr. in the eventual elevation of the status of Cotabato City from a “Third Class” into a “First Class” city in just about one year’s time.

The search is an annual activity of CSC, meant to honor government workers with accomplishments worthy of recognition by the government. (GILMHAR A. LAO & ANNE ACOSTA - MINDANAO EXPOSE’)