Mandaluyong City Mayor Benhur Abalos is the resource speaker on local laws and structure during the Social Media vs. Child Abuse Forum held at the Astoria Plaza Hotel, Pasig City. The event, conducted by the Council for the Welfare of Children and the Para Sa Mga Bata Citizens Network Inc. in cooperation with the Department of Social Welfare and Development, National Council for Children’s Television and the Philippine National Police, highlighted the powerful role of citizens in advocating for and educating the public in protecting the children online and offline.

Mayor Abalos also shared the city’s good practices being an awardee of the 2011 Presidential Award for Best Child Friendly City of the Philippines (Highly Urbanized City Category).

Mandaluyong City Mayor Benjamin C. Abalos, Jr. intensifies breastfeeding campaign in the city by providing breastfeeding station kits to health centers and refrigerator for milk storage at the Lactation Management Area of the Mandaluyong City Medical Center (MCMC). Mayor Abalos also provided weighing scales for the 21 public school clinics in the city to monitor weight of the school children.

Mandaluyong has pioneered installation of breastfeeding area/center in private workplaces and even in the barangays. Also in photo are First Lady Menchie Abalos, MCMC Director Zaldy Carpeso and the Mandaluyong Breastfeeding Patrol Officers.

Mandaluyong City Mayor Benhur Abalos, assisted by the city council and barangay officials, leads the ceremonial lighting of the 40-foot Christmas tree during the program held at the city hall grounds for the Paskuhan sa Tiger City, an annual event initiated by Mayor Abalos signaling the start of the 47-day Christmas celebration in the city.

Other highlights of this event are the opening of more than 313 booths selling assorted items and food stalls, the lights display around the city hall complex and distribution of Pamaskong Handog to indigent families and wheelchairs to persons with disability.

There are also nightly shows featuring local talents and invited guests, mascots, kiddie rides, exhibition of lanterns made from recycled materials, and Santa Clauses who are always available for a souvenir shot.

Mandaluyong City Mayor Benhur Abalos leads in organizing the Red Cross Youth of Mandaluyong. Over 250 youth volunteers from different barangays joined.

Every barangay will be empowered on disaster preparedness, response, health and welfare, voluntary blood donation and leadership upliftment. Also in photo is Ms. Gwendolyn Pang, Secretary General, Philippine Red Cross.