Angono took advantage of two opportunities to bolster its socio-economic progress – improving its public market and addressing the plight of its informal settlers. It is anchored on environment, culture and arts promotion of the LGU. Notably, the LGU adopted a People-centered, Sustainable, Integrated, Area-based Development (PSIAD) strategy to shift from public administration to governance.

From a liability, Angono’s public market has been transformed to a competitive “People’s Market” comparable to commercial supermarkets in the area. The implementation of the Amended Market Code of Angono Rizal helped turn the public market into a reliable economic enterprise of the local government. Furthermore, financial aid from the provincial government enabled Angono LGU in improving the market infrastructure. Roads were constructed and widened to be accessible to transport vehicles and prevent traffic congestion, which effectively addressed the issue of vendors not wanting to occupy the stalls at the back of the market. As a result, it became a market “na lahat may harapan”.

Furthermore, learning from Olongapo City’s color-coding scheme for public utility vehicles have inspired Angono to improve its traffic management and regulate tricycle and jeepney operations with designated terminals and drop-off points in the market’s vicinity.

In maintaining peace and order, the LGU deployed 80 market guards who work in shifts to ensure 24/7 security coverage. The market has 32 CCTV cameras installed with a 24/7 Consumer Welfare Desk put in place for quick issuance of public announcements. A Market Vicinity Committee was also created to ensure safety in the area. Through these initiatives based on data as of September 2017, crime rate was reduced, and the market even experienced zero crime incidence. To address the low collection efficiency rate of the public market, a new payment and debt restructuring scheme was crafted by the LGU in consultation with stall owners. A high collection efficiency rate from PhP 12 million in 2014 to PhP 14.4 million in 2016 was noted under this system. Although the public market could sustain its operations due to its improved collection rate, Sangguniang Bayan Ordinance No. 746 (2016) was enacted to sustain the operations of the public market through an annual budget allocation, if needed.

Inspired by Marikina’s “Disiplina sa Bangketa'' project, Angono provided reorientation seminars on cleanliness and service quality such as politeness and customer service. In the recent Citizen Satisfaction Index Survey (CSIS) conducted by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the University of Rizal System, the Angono Public Market ranked “High” in all the indicators in citizens’ awareness, availment and satisfaction.

In connection with Angono’s Zero Basura program, a Solid Waste Management system was also implemented in the public market through the construction of its own Materials Recovery Facilities. Through this initiative, the Angono Public Market was recognized as the “2nd Healthiest Public Market in the Province of Rizal” from 1999 to 2002 and the “Healthiest Public Market in the Province of Rizal” in 2003 to 2005.

To address the needs of its informal settlers, Angono introduced the Zero Squatter program that assisted 8,000 informal settler families (ISF). An effective and functional Urban Settlement Development Office (USDO), created through EO 2010-11 and SB Resolution 12-125, served as the coordinating unit between the government, private owners, and the informal settlers that made possible the timely government response to the people’s needs.

The program also strengthened community-based organizations and associations of resettled ISF by allowing them to organize themselves and plan their communities. Appropriate representation in the local Housing Board, and the Local Committee against Squatting Syndicates and Professional Squatters were allocated to 75 organized groups. Women’s groups were also organized to improve skills as well as access to livelihood and basic services. With an existing and functional Local Committee against Squatting Syndicates and Professional Squatters, relevant executive orders, resolutions and ordinances were enacted to provide sustainable and institutionalized response to the problems of squatting syndicates and professional squatters. As a result, Angono is the only municipality acknowledged as the 2015 National Champion and 2016 1st Runner Up for Best LGU Practices against Professional Squatters and Squatting Syndicates.

The programs on the Angono Public Market and ISFs have contributed to an annual income of around PhP 285 million in 2016 from PhP 54 million in 2000. Clearly, the participatory and systemic governance of Angono uplifted the lives of its people as well as created a climate conducive to socio-economic development.