Zambo mayor receives U.S. award

THE UNITED States has awarded Mayor Beng Climaco with a plaque of “Recognition of Distinction,” expressing America’s gratitude for her dedicated support to the “Countering Violent Extremism Program” (CVET) and its successful outcome in Zamboanga City.

The award was given by the International Criminal Investigative Training Assistance Program (ICITAP) under the Department of Justice.

ICITAP-Philippines Attaché Juan Bortfeld presented the plaque to Climaco through Eric Orillaneda, ICITAP Site Supervisor. The plaque cited Climaco’s “visionary leadership of local government, exemplified through collaborative outreach with partnering agencies, augmenting capacity building and development opportunities for leading constituents enhancing their abilities to improve the quality of life for the citizens they serve.” 

Bortfeld also awarded Climaco’s executive assistant, Jojo Abdusalam, with a plaque honoring his distinctive service during the series of community dialogues and other activities on the CVET. 

Last year, Climaco and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte were also invited by Washington for a series of lectures and meetings for the project “Strong Cities, Strong Partnerships: A Comprehensive Approach to Preventing Terrorism in Southeast Asia” under the auspices of the International Visitor Leadership Program of the Department of State.  

The Philippine Embassy in Washington led by Ambassador Jose Manuel Romualdez branded Climaco and Carpio as “remarkable women” and gave them warm reception.

Climaco also had meetings with “Strong Cities Network Mayors,” such as Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer, Chattanooga Mayor Andy Berke and Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti. She spent a whole day at the State Department for various meetings with Ambassador Atul Keshapt, of the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs; and Ambassador Nathan Sales, of the Bureau of Counterterrorism.

They also visited the headquarters of the United States Agency for International Development and met with Gloria Steele, Asia Bureau and former Mission Director to the Philippines. Climaco attended meetings with the Department of Homeland Security and ADAMS (All Dulles Area Muslim Society) Center in Virginia, one of the largest mosques in the US and serving 5,000 Muslim families.

Climaco also had discussions on the fundamentals of U.S. Governance, including elections and Federalism with Sarah Nugent, of the State Department and Dr. Steven Billet, of George Washington University.

Netizens, who are following the Facebook page of the Philippine Embassy in Washington, praised Climaco’s hard work and her dedication as chief executive of Zamboanga. “Congrats to our Mayor, Madam Beng Climaco,” said JVM RD.

“The two best women Mayors in the Philippines keep up the good works,” Toledo Curay Arlisa said.

Jose Balenton also commented that: “Our Mayor of Zamboanga is the best.” And Jocelyn Sczepanski said she is proud of Climaco. “Good job we are proud to have you Mayor Beng.”

Maria Aizon said Climaco is a world-class mayor. “Our world class mayor,” she wrote on the social media page of the Philippine Embassy. (Zamboanga Post)