Capitol, LMP honor incumbent officials

CEBU, Philippines —  After rising up to the challenge posed by the COVID-19 and Typhoon Odette, incumbent officials were lauded by the Cebu provincial government together and the League of Municipalities of the Philippines-Cebu Chapter for their commendable work in the response and recovery from the pandemic and natural calamity.

The mayors of the 44 municipalities as well as the six component cities of Cebu Province were given tokens during the Gabii sa Pasalamat held at the Capitol Social Hall on June 24, 2022.

The 16 outgoing mayors also received tokens of appreciation.

They are San Fernando Mayor Lakambini “Neneth” Reluya, Dalaguete Mayor Jeffrey Belciña, Oslob Mayor Jose Tumulak Jr., Asturias Mayor Jose Antonio Pintor; Balamban Mayor Alex Binghay, Barili Mayor Julieto Flores, Tuburan Mayor Danilo Diamante, Madridejos Mayor Salvador dela Fuente, Catmon Mayor Iris Baylon-Gestopa, Compostela Mayor Froilan Quiño, Sogod Mayor Richard Streegan, Consolacion Mayor Joannes Alegado, Cordova Mayor Mary Therese Sitoy-Cho, Moalboal Mayor Paz Rozgoni, Naga City Mayor Kristine Vanessa Chiong, and Carcar City Mayor Mercidita Apura.

Meanwhile, eight three-termer mayors who have already reached the mandatory term limit were also given the “Serbisyo sa Sugbo” award.

They are Minglanilla Mayor Elanito Peña, Boljoon Mayor Merlou Derama, Pinamungajan Mayor Glenn Baricuatro, San Remigio Mayor Mariano Martinez, Tabogon Mayor Zigfred Duterte, Alegria Mayor Verna Magallon, Ginatilan Mayor Dean Michael Singco, and Malabuyoc Mayor Lito Narciso Creus.

The mayors of the tri-cities, Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama, Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes, and Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Junard Chan were also acknowledged.

Aside from the mayors, the Cebu Provincial Government and LMP-Cebu also recognized the district representatives and the Provincial Board members during the event.

Representatives Pablo John Garcia (3rd district), Janice Salimbangon (4th district), Vincent Franco Frasco (5th district), Emmarie Ouano-Dizon (6th district), Peter John Calderon (7th district), and Eduardo Gullas (1st district), who was represented by incoming Congresswoman Rhea Gullas and husband, Talisay City Mayor Gerald Anthony “Samsam” Gullas, received a wooden box and caricature as awards.

PB Members Yolanda Daan, Raul Bacaltos, Edsel Galeos, Victoria Coroninas-Toribio, John Ismael Borgonia, Kerrie Keane Shimura, Andrei Duterte, Thadeo Jovito Ouano, Glenn Anthony Soco, Jerome Librando, Celestino Martinez III, and Caroline Bacaltos were also lauded for their services.

Governor Gwendolyn Garcia said that the event’s goal was to extend their gratitude to the officials for their sacrifices.

“Buot natong pasalamatan kamong tanan, sa tanan nga inyong sakripisyo, paningkamot, tanan nga inyong giagian…It was an honor and a privilege to have worked with you and to have, together with you, reached never before heights of progress and development in spite of all the challenges we faced,” Garcia said.

Garcia also said that they did not only survive the challenges, they have prevailed over them.

“We did not only survive all of the challenges that we faced, be it ASF, be it COVID-19, be it Typhoon Odette, we did not only survive, we prevailed,” she said. — Rubie Mae T. Sollano, CNU Intern, GMR (FREEMAN)