BY CHRYSEE G. SAMILLANO
Senator Sherwin Gatachalian said he is confident of the speedy economic recovery of Bacolod City from the effects of COVID-19 particularly that it had been awarded “The Most Business-Friendly Local Government Unit- Highly Urbanized City” by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCCI) in 2021.
“As your Senator, l will be your ally in opening the economy, and that the return of face-to-face classes will also be an important factor in attaining this,” Gatachalian said during a virtual message he delivered as keynote speaker at the 84th Charter Day Celebration of Bacolod City Saturday with the theme “Surviving the Crisis, Rising Above and Beyond.”
During the event, the Bacolod City Government recognized its top corporate and individual taxpayers and outstanding citizens for 2021, as well as its frontliners for their dedication and service during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Posthumous awards were also given to five employees of the city government who lost their lives while in the performance of their duties at the height of the health crisis.
Gatchalian said the Most Business-Friendly Award is proof that Bacolod is a reliable partner of the private sector in creating many more opportunities. The city has also been awarded the “2020 Seal of Good Governance” in recognition of its strength amid the challenges.
It has been his campaign promise to continue to push for the opening of schools and the return of face-to-face classes. Even if the threat of the virus is still there, he has confidence that with everyone’s cooperation they can assure the safety of the teachers and students, the Senator said.
“Like the program ‘Ipadayon ang Negrosyo at Trabaho’, you have showed that even small businesses can manage to recover and can provide more jobs which include the agriculture sector wherein the city has been called the ‘Sugar Capital of the Philippines,’ Gatachalian said.
The opening of the tourism industry in the country is also his priority, he said as he thanked Mayor Evelio Leonardia and the people of Bacolod for their support that made him number four senator in the recent elections.
Meanwhile, the top five outstanding corporate real property taxpayers for 2021 were San Miguel Brewery, Inc; SM Mega; Holdings; SM Prime Holdings Inc.; Coca Cola Beverages Philippines, Inc.; and Capitol Central Commercial Ventures Corp.
The top five individual real property taxpayers for 2021 were Jacinto Palma, Catherine Ong, Stephanie Chiu, Rolando Corona Jr., and Jose Antonio Alonte Jr.
The top five outstanding business taxpayers for 2021 (corporation) were San Miguel Brewery. Inc.; SM City Bacolod; ARB Call Facilities; Coca Cola Beverages Phils. Inc., and Nestle Philippines, Inc.
The top five individual business taxpayers were A-A Electrical Supply; GPM Trading & Engineering Services; Bacolod Triumph Hardware; Wilkinson Construction, and Silver Dragon Construction Lumber & Glass Supply.
Recipients of the 2022 City Mayor Special Citations were councilor-elect Em Ang – Emergency Operations Center Task Force (EOC-TF) executive director; acting City Health Officer Dr. Edwin Miraflor Jr.; Dr. Chris Sorongon – EOC-TF assistant Deputy for Medical; Councilor Novero – Quarantine Center Action Team chairman; Councilor Cindy Rojas – Action Team for Returning Non-OFWs and Returning Residence chairman, Councilor Israel Salanga – Action Team for Returning OFWs (STRO) chairman; Anna Maria Laarni Pornan – Brgy. Isolation. Centers; and Andrew Agravante – BREDCO Port Monitoring Team leader.
Recipients of posthumous awards were Jesryl Bancaya – ATRO head coordinator; Salvacion Inones; ambulance driver Rene Emba, Lorna Remada, and Elsie Escobar.
Other employees given recognition were Prudencio Perono – electrical manager, John Troy Gelboy – sound system, and Josephine Velez – utility.*
