Manila among 50 champion cities in global Mayors Challenge

MANILA, Philippines — The city of Manila has been named among the top 50 cities to compete in the Bloomberg Philanthropies’ program for innovative urban solutions in response to issues amid the pandemic.

Manila Mayor Isko Moreno expressed gratitude yesterday for the recognition, saying the accolade belongs to every Manileño and every Filipino.

“We are hugely honored that Manila has been named as one of 50 select Champion Cities for the Bloomberg Philanthropies 2021 Global Mayor’s challenge,” he said. “On behalf of the more than two million residents of the city of Manila and indeed on behalf of every Filipino, wherever they are in the Philippines or around the world for whom their national capital occupies an outsize role in their hearts and minds, the city government is very much honored for the prestigious award.”

The mayor said the city is committed to the next phase of the competition.

Manila and Butuan were the only Southeast Asian cities that made it to the top 50 cities chosen from over 600 worldwide by the Global Mayors Challenge program.

Other cities in the Asia-Pacific that made it to the top 50 include Auckland (New Zealand), Daegu (South Korea), Pune (India), Rourkela (India), Taipei (Taiwan) and Wellington (New Zealand).

“We offer our congratulations to both Manila and Butuan for making it to the global 50. Out of 631 applications received by Bloomberg Philanthropies, 52 Philippine cities and municipalities submitted their entries, signaling high interest to develop their cities,” Liveable Cities Challenge chairman Guillermo Luz said in a statement yesterday.

For the competition, city leaders from all over the world were invited to pitch ideas to address challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Cities with more than 100,000 residents were encouraged to submit proposals based on four challenge themes: health and wellbeing, climate and environment, economic recovery and inclusive growth, and good governance and equality.

As part of the top 50, the cities of Manila and Butuan will have the opportunity to enhance and test their proposals from this month until October to compete for the final round, where 15 winners would be chosen.

The top 15 cities will win $1 million each and receive free consultancy services to implement their projects.

Since the launch of the 2021 Global Mayors Challenge, the Liveable Cities Challenge in partnership with the League of Cities of the Philippines has encouraged cities to participate in the competition.

Through its partnership with Globe Telecom Inc., the Liveable Cities Challenge organized a virtual briefing with Bloomberg experts Michael Odermatt and Eamon Nolan, and a mentors’ workshop with local multidisciplinary experts.

The Liveable Cities Challenge also assembled a pool of mentors to help cities develop the best possible applications for the competition, in addition to the coaches provided by Bloomberg.

“We will continue to provide mentor support for both Manila and Butuan to help them get into the top 15 cities eligible for the $1 million prize,” Luz said.