CEBU, Philippines — Police Regional Office 7 director, Police Brigadier Gen. Albert Ignatius Ferro, has been honored as “adopted son” of Cebu City.
The City Council passed the resolution authored by Councilor Joel Garganera, the Emergency Operations Center’s deputy chief implementer, and co-authored by Councilors Philip Zafra and Franklin Ong. It was adopted en masse last November 18.
The City Council recognizes Ferro “for his service and leadership in ensuring the health, safety, security and the peace and order of the City of Cebu.”
Ferro is grateful as he recognizes the consistent support of the Cebu City Government under the leadership of Mayor Edgardo Labella.
“With that kind of action, I think I’m so proud that I have served the Cebuanos. Maybe I will do more so that I will be of service sa atong mga kaigsuonan diri sa Central Visayas,” said Ferro who is a Bicolano.
Ferro since serving as the regional director of PRO-7 last February of this year, he already got a good number of achievements as far as keeping peace and order and in the curtailment of illegal drugs here as well as for his valuable contribution in the battle against COVID-19.
For COVID-19 alone, the PRO-7 under Ferro’s leadership initiated a bunch of counter measures to address the problem including recoridas and via social media regarding curfews, minimum health standards, quarantine protocols, dialogue with business owners as well as the production and distribution of flyers against COVID-19.
Ferro also led in the distribution of face masks, sanitizers and even improvised personal protective equipment to police personnel, partner agencies and even civilians.
When COVID-19 cases in the city surged, Ferro also sought augmentation of Cebu City Police Office personnel from its national headquarters and the other regions.
Other than that, the contact tracing efforts that Ferro has put in paved the way for the flattening of the curve.
He personally asked the contact tracing czar and Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong, his former boss, to help Cebu City and the rest in contact tracing.
“The PNP was vital in our contact tracing efforts at the EOC in the city which is considered as the game changer in this pandemic,” part of the resolution states.
Before Ferro, Senator Panfilo Lacson, a retired police general, was also named as an adopted son of Cebu City for his valuable service and efforts as commander of Cebu Metrodiscom from 1989 to 1992.
Aside from Ferro, retired Maj. General Melquides Feliciano and his wife, Mia, were also being honored as the first “adopted couple” of Cebu City for their tireless efforts in helping the city in the fight for COVID-19. — Mae Fhel K. Gom-os, GMR (FREEMAN)