Cebu City to honor Cimatu with Order of Rajah Humabon

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City government will confer Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu with the Order of Rajah Humabon in tonight’s celebration of 123rd Philippine Independence Day at the Citadines this city.

Cimatu’s recognition may be a bit late already, but somehow, the city government is able to give him the best it can offer.

Acting Mayor Michael Rama had wanted for such an award to be given to Cimatu during the city’s celebration of its 84th Charter Day Award but for unknown reasons it was missed out.

Rama, however, found another appropriate time to honor Cimatu’s efforts, and that is today’s Independence Day.

Cimatu was sent by no less than President Rodrigo Roa Duterte to Cebu and mainly to Cebu City last year to oversee the situation of Covid-19 after being tagged as the epicenter of the epidemic.

There were no clear directions and management, the barangays and the city government were not also in tune with each other, and hospitals, public and private were crying for help.

The calm but brilliant Cimatu was able to put in order the chaotic situation here along with the able support of the IATF Visayas chief implementer, another retired general Melquiades Feliciano.

Feliciano along with his wife, Mia, will also have a reenactment of its being an adopted Cebuanos tonight.

Feliciano along with Big Foot’s Michael Gleissner and the other individuals and entities that made very valuable contributions in the fight against Covid-19 in Cebu City are also expected to be recognized tonight.

Free legal aid

Meanwhile, free legal consultation and notarial services will be offered, especially to the indigents, in today’s 123rd Independence Day commemoration at Plaza Sugbo from 8 a.m. to 12 noon.

“We cater to everybody, and dili mi mamili. Those who will come tomorrow to seek for legal advice will all be assisted by lawyers tomorrow,” said Atty. Michael Francis Hubahib, Integrated Bar of the Philippines-Cebu City Chapter vice-president and committee chair on legal aid services.

Hubahib also advised those who wish to avail of the free services to come early and bring with them government-issued identification cards for presentation.

“We encourage everybody, especially those who cannot afford to pay for legal services, to take advantage of this program kay libre gud ni sila,” said Hubahib, noting their services are only limited to simple notaries, like affidavits and special power of attorneys.

“We will not notarize deeds of sale, deeds of donation, or other documents for business purposes,” he added.

The activity is also in partnership with the Cebu City Legal Office and the Cebu Lady Lawyers Association.

“We assisted Mandaue City, Lapu-Lapu City, and we have yet to assist Cebu City. So, we coordinated with the Cebu City Legal Office and the City Government to bring this to fruition because this will be symbolic given that we are celebrating the Independence Day,” he added.

With the legal aid, Hubahib said, “we are bringing the law closer to the people by providing these free legal services.”

Aside from the legal aid at Plaza Sugbo, Hubahib said the IBP will also hold another legal aide in Barangay Tingo Gym on Olango Island from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. today.

This will be held in collaboration with JCI Womandaue and Mactan Island Lawyers League.

“Our goal before the end of our two-year term by 2023 is maserbisyuhan namo ang tanang municipality ug tanang siyudad diri sa Cebu island,” added Hubahib.

The IBP also has current initiatives like the jail decongestion and on-going webinars or seminars to orient Cebuanons, including barangay officials, on existing laws.

Independence Day rites

At 5 p.m. yesterday, the Armed Forces of the Philippines will lead the flag lowering and burning rites at Plaza Sugbo.

The military will also join the Philippine National Police and the Boy Scout of the Philippines during the rites at Plaza Sugbo today.

“We don’t go into more flamboyant celebrations, most simplified just to commemorate the most important event in the history,” said Trifon Sode, Community Affairs Officer II and Commemorations and Performing Arts Section head of the Cultural and Historical Affairs Commission.

Rama will also officiate in today’s celebration which will run on livestream.

Immediately after the program, the Libreng Konsulta and Notaryo will follow, added Sode. — Deogracia William Bemida, Silliman University intern, GMR (FREEMAN)