• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
In line with its 86th Charter Day Anniversary, the Bacolod City government yesterday honored and conferred Banwahanon Awards to three outstanding Bacolodnons at the grand lobby of the Bacolod City Government Center.
The “Banwahanon Award” is the highest award given by the city government to Bacolodnons whose life or service has had a considerable impact on the people and the community.
This year’s Banwahanon awardees included Nestor “Aboy” Evaristo, Bryant Lao, and Marigold Ponce-Tangco.
The recipients of the “Be The Change Award” were Fairly Pretta, Sagup Negros: Food Waste Mitigation Initiative, and Dr. Edwin Segovia.
The ‘Be the Change’ award, is being bestowed upon individuals who have made a profound impact on Bacolod City through acts of kindness, unwavering commitment, and exceptional service.
Honored as Outstanding Employees under the Supervisory Level were Engr. Julio Cayetano Belleza and Dr. Edwin Miraflor, as well as Marissa Britania and Leonardo Biantan under the Non-Supervisory Level.
Given recognition by the Bacolod City Government as Outstanding Taxpayers of 2023 were Jose Antonio Alonte Jr., Stephanie Chiu, Atty. Roseller Maalat, Catherine Ong, and David Chiu (Top Real Property Taxpayers under Individual Category);
Coca Cola Beverages Philippines Inc., Capital Central Commercial Ventures Corp, SM Prime Holdings Inc., Philippine Airlines and Megaworld Corporate (RPT Corporate Category);
Jerry Sy – Silver Dragon Construction Lumber & Glass Supply, Wilkinson Ong – Wilkinson Construction, Alvin Yu- Bacolod Triumph Hardware, Peggy Coo- KLC Enterprises, and Alvin Chua AA Electrical Supply (Top Business Taxpayers Individual; Category);
Nestle Philippines Inc.; Coca Cola Beverages Philippines Inc.; AOB Corporation; SM Prime Holdings Inc. (SM City Bacolod); Mainstream Business Inc. (SM Bacolod Department Store) – Top Business Taxpayers under the Corporate Category.
Recipients of the Mayor’s Citation Award also included Amado Parreño, Agricultural Corporation; Amity Volunteer Fire Brigade; Bureau of Fire Protection – Bacolod City; Filipino Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc.; Philippine Red Cross Negros Occidental – Bacolod City; Manila Water Company Inc.; and Rotary Club of Bacolod.
Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez and Bacolod Rep. Greg Gasataya led the conferring of awards to the outstanding individuals and taxpayers, which was also witnessed by Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, among other government officials.
With the theme, “Pagsaulog sang Pagbag-o Para sa Mas Masanyug nga Asenso sang Bacolod”, the City of Bacolod marked its 86th Charter Day Celebration with a parade yesterday, where 230 vehicles, and 134 motorcycles participated, along the streets of Bata, Alangilan, Mansilingan, and Sum-ag, as reported by the City Public Information Office.
During the flag ceremony, Mayor Albee Benitez enumerated the gains by his administration and outlined his future plans aimed at furthering development and prosperity of Bacolod City.
Benitez enjoined Bacolodnons to be part of the initiatives in making Bacolod a “super city,” adding that he will deliver a State of the City Address on July 3 to report on where Bacolod is now and its direction.
“In recognition of our 86th Charter Day, let us all go out, celebrate, and recognize that Bacolod is on our way to becoming a ‘super city’,” he said.*
