The Department of the Interior and Local Government-National Capital Region (DILG-NCR) recognized several South Metro cities for outstanding performance at the Urban Governance Exemplar Awards (UGEA) 2025 at Novotel in Quezon City.

The UGEA is DILG-NCR’s flagship program recognizing exemplary performance by local government units.

Muntinlupa City bagged seven awards, recognizing its performance in child protection, legislative work, anti-trafficking initiatives, and environmental compliance.

Mayor Ruffy Biazon received the distinctions which included Top Performer for the Local Council for the Protection of Children (LCPC), Exemplary Sangguniang Panlungsod, and multiple Top Performer citations under the 2024 Manila Bay Clean-Up and Rehabilitation Program.

Meantime, Makati City also earned significant recognition as a Top Performer LCPC, was cited as Highly Functional in the Local Committee on Anti-Trafficking and Violence Against Women and Their Children (LCAT-VAWC) for 2025, and was deemed Highly Compliant under the Manila Bay Clean-Up Program.

Makati was also recognized as a Significant and Invaluable Partner for its Peace and Order and Anti-Drug Abuse Councils.

The local government of Marikina City, on the other hand, won multiple major awards, which Mayor Marjorie Ann Teodoro said affirmed the city’s commitment to excellence in governance.

Marikina’s top awards included 1st Place in the Manila Bay Clean-Up, Rehabilitation, and Preservation Program; Ideal Functionality for its LCPC Performance for 2024; Highly Functional for its LCAT-VAWC 2025 Functionality Audit; and being named a Significant and Invaluable Partner in Advancing a Safe, Secure, and Drug-Free NCR.

The city also won Top Performer in the Manila Bay Clean-Up Program’s Informal Settler Families Cluster.

Teodoro thanked city employees and residents, saying the awards are “a reflection of our collective effort as a community,” and pledged to strengthen programs on environmental protection, public safety, and social welfare.

Other South Metro LGUs receiving distinctions included Parañaque City, which was recognized as a Significant and Invaluable Partner in its Peace and Order Council and Anti-Drug Abuse Council, received citations for Ideal LCPC Functionality, Highly Functional LCAT-VAWC, and Exemplary Sangguniang Panlungsod, and placed 2nd in the Regional Fisheries Compliance Audit.

Taguig City was cited for Ideal LCPC Functionality, Highly Functional LCAT-VAWC for 2025, and an Invaluable Partner in advancing a Safe, Secure and Drug-Free NCR.

The DILG-NCR praised the efforts of the local governments, stating that the achievements are rigorously assessed through various departmental audits, reflecting a steadfast commitment to good governance.