The aggressive pursuit for a greener Philippines is one advocacy that local governments are now more than eager to undertake.

With the adverse effects of climate change becoming more apparent and destructive, leaders across government agencies, private companies and cause-oriented groups are hard-pressed to look for ways to ensure a more sustainable, low-carbon path for their respective districts and the rest of the country.

Although it constantly bears the stigma of being a place for prisoners and the mentally ill, Mandaluyong City can now claim as the best place for children after recently bagging the Presidential Award for the most child-friendly city in the country.

Mandaluyong bested other cities that had won in the regional competitions under the highly urbanized city category such as Baguio, Olongapo, Bacolod and Cebu.

To spread a little Christmas cheer, Mandaluyong Mayor Benjamin Abalos Jr. distributed yesterday at least 60,000 buckets of groceries to poor residents. “For two decades now, we have been doing this traditional ‘Pamaskong Handog’ to reach out to our people. I believe that everybody deserves to have something on their table,” Abalos said.