Arroyo confers Gov. Gwen ‘Order of Lakandula’ award

President Gloria Arroyo conferred on Governor Gwen Garcia the Order of Lakandula award, with the rank of Grand Cross (Bayani), one of the highest honors given by the national government to a distinguished civilian.

The governor also received the Presidential Medal of Merit, a recognition conferred upon those who gained prestige for the country through international recognition of excellence in a particular field of endeavor.

President Arroyo lauded Garcia for her “unwavering dedication to her responsibility in holding of the Asean Summit” in Cebu last January.

Garcia, accompanied by her chief of staff Elizabeth Francia, flew to Manila to receive the presidential honors in Malacañang. “These recognitions are not only for me but for all the Cebuanos,” she said.

The Order of Lakandula is the highest national recognition conferred by the President of the Republic of the Philippines. Named after Rajah Lakandula of Tondo, it commemorates Lakandula’s dedication in leadership, prudence, fortitude, courage and resolve in serving the people.

The Presidential Medal of Merit is conferred upon those who have gained international recognition in the fields of literature, arts, entertainments, sciences and other civilian fields of endeavor which foster national pride and artistic excellence.

The Order of Lakandula has the following ranks: Grand Collar (Supremo), Grand Cross (Bayani), Grand Officer ( Marangal na Pinuno), Commander (Komandante), Officer (Pinuno), and Member (Kagawad).

There have been 12 awardees so far of the Lakandula (Bayani) honors, the first of whom was Ambassador Alfonso Yuchengco on November 26, 2003. Among the other awardees were Archbishop Jaime Cardinal Sin, Senator Blas Ople, Vice President Salvador Laurel and Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei. — Gerome M. Dalipe/RAE