Order of Lakandula conferred on Ty, Pangilinan

MANILA, Philippines - President Arroyo has conferred the Order of Lakandula with a rank of Bayani on Metropolitan Bank and Trust Co. (Metrobank) chairman George S.K. Ty and incoming Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) chairman Manuel Pangilinan for their contributions to the business community and their philanthropic work.                                                                 

The award was conferred on Ty on Friday at the music room of Malacañang.

Ty was recognized for his contributions to banking, real estate, insurance, manufacturing and trading, as well as for his charitable work in health care, education, arts and architecture design, and disaster relief.

Ty was accompanied at the Palace by his wife, Mary, sons Arthur, president and director of Metrobank, and Alfred, president of Federal Land.

Also with him were Joaquin Sy, corporate secretary of the Manila Doctors Hospital; and Aniceto Sobrepeña, president of Metrobank Foundation.

The Order of Lakandula was established by Mrs. Arroyo in September 2003 through Executive Order 236 as a political and civic merit award for citizens who have shown exemplary contribution to society.                                                               Also present during the awarding was monetary board member Peter Favila, a former senior vice president and treasurer of Metrobank before joining the Arroyo Cabinet.         

The Lakandula award was conferred on Pangilinan yesterday for his contributions to business and for his philanthropic work. Mrs. Arroyo presented the award to Pangilinan during the inauguration of the P2.1-billion road linking the North Luzon Expressway and Mindanao Avenue.

Pangilinan also sits as chairman of Metro Pacific Investments Corp., Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co., Smart Communications, Metro Pacific Investments Corp., Manila North Tollways Corp. and Medical Doctors Inc.        He will take over as chairman and chief executive officer of Meralco on July 1.