Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama thanked partners in the city’s beautification and scholarship programs, peace and order campaign, tourism promotions, donors of medical equipment and other outstanding individuals in Friday’s Charter Day testimonial dinner.
“The awardees contributed their time, resources and effort in helping the city further its growth and develop,” Rama said before handing out plaques.
Rama gave out 10 mayor’s special awards this year.
The plaques went to the Beautiful Cebu Movement Foundation, Inc; Association Benevola de Cebu Inc.; Dr. Pericles Dakay; Hiroshi Akaki, Toyoflex Foundation, Metro Gaisano, Police Chief Insp. Romeo Santander, engineer Juanito Magno, Basak Pardo barangay captain Dave Tumulak and businessman Chester Cokaliong.
Mariquita Salimbangon Yeung and Margie Lhuillier received the plaque recognizing Beautiful Cebu Movement Foundation Inc.’s effort to beautify the sidewalks of Osmeña Boulevard as their “gift” to the Cebuanos.
Dr. Pericles Dakay of Dakay Construction was o cited for his help in providing bleachers for spectators during the Sinulog grand parade.
Toyoflex Foundation of Japan was awarded for its scholarship program for nurses and donation of equipment to the Cebu City Medical Center. Akaki was also recognized for donating medical equipment to the city.
Engineer Magno helped uplift the lives of cutflower farmers by teaching them how to improve their harvest while Cokaliong was cited for his corporate social responsibility and providing scholarships and livelihood help to needy Cebuano families.
Although the selection of outstanding individuals was marred with controversy after the name of assistant city treasurer Tessie Camarillo was removed from a list or recommendees, Mayor Rama went on to hand out plaques of recognition to four other awardees endorsed by the Cultural and Historical Affairs Commission (CHAC).
The awardees were sportsman John Owen Pages, Senior Insp. Ma. Theresa Macatangay, Judge Francisco Alob Seville and neurosurgen Dr. Wyben Briones.
Dr. Briones led a campaign against dengue while Macatangay displayed commendable performance in the Cental Visayas Police Office’s anti-trafficking campaign.
“We humbly accept this honor you have given us. The awardees represent several institutions and individuals who have helped the city,” said Briones, who spoke on behalf of Charter Day awardees during the dinner.
Briones also cited the support of 23 organizations made up of 2,000 people for the success of the dengue campaign.
Another active campaigner against human trafficking, the Visayan Forum Foundation and the International Justice Mission, received an outstanding institution award from Rama.
Other outstanding institutions were the Basak Pardo Emergency Rescue Unit of barangay captain Tumulak, Pag-asa sa Paglaya, and the Lupong Tagapamayapa of barangay of Adlaon./With Correspondent Edison A. delos Angeles