UP awards Perez for outstanding public administration
PEREZ
The University of the Philippines has feted Antique Governor Salvacion Z. Perez with an Outstanding Professional Award in the field of Public Administration. The award was conferred by UP President Dr. Emerlinda R. Roman, Regent Jaime S. De Los Santos -- President of the UP Alumni Association and Atty. Gladys S.J. Tiongco, in a ceremony held last June 24 at the Bahay ng Alumni, UP Diliman Campus, during the UP General Alumni-Faculty Homecoming and reunion.
The country's premier university cited Perez' management style as the Governor of the Province of Antique and as Chairperson of the Regional Development Council of Region VI. The UP Alumni recognized Governor Perez' contribution in the over-all development of Antique, and in the promotion of culture, history and arts in the province, thereby eliminating it from the infamous club 20 of poorest provinces through her being an exemplar of the innovative and action-driven public servant, complemented by her personal qualities of self-discipline and efficiency in the local bureaucracy. Her stewardship of the RDC VI was likewise considered as the catalyst in making Western Visayas the "tourism valley" of the country.
Perez says that she is truly honored and humbled "to receive such highly esteemed award from her alma mater," and also expressed her elation for being "chosen among the best." She likewise asserted that the said award is a further validation of her success as a public servant and that she is sharing her triumph with her fellow Antiqueños who have always believed in her leadership skills. She emphasized that the recognition is not only an honor for her but also for the province of Antique. As she addressed the employees during the regular Monday flag raising ceremony last June 26, she attributed the awards to their cooperation in her governance.
UP President Emerlinda R. Roman asserted that the achievements of the awardees are something that the UP community is very proud of. She refers to them as having lived up to UP's tradition of excellence, performance and achievement.
The UP Outstanding Professional Awards were given to UP Alumni who have excelled in their respective fields. Other awardees were Dr. Arsenio N. Resurreccion -- Agriculture, Mr. Percy J. Arañador -- arts and letters, Mr. Victor B. Valdepeñas -- Business Administration, Dr. Lina B. Diaz De Rivera -- Education, Dr. Ernesto P Sonido -- Geology, Atty. Andres G. Gatmaitan -- Law, Dr. Alberto Victor D.G. Romualdez, Jr. -- Medicine, Dr. Carmencita Matias-Abaquin -- Nursing and Dr. Nina G. Barzaga -- Public Health.
Perez' entry was chosen from among the hundreds of nominations submitted to the prestigious award giving body, in their annual search for outstanding UP alumni. Gov. Perez graduated with a degree in Political Science in 1956 and Bachelor of Science in Foreign Service in 1958, both from UP Diliman. She was personally nominated by Dr. Aida Ricarze, Vice President for Academic Affairs of the Saint Anthony's College, Antique, in recognition of her outstanding achievements in public administration, starting from her having occupied the post as Undersecretary of the Presidential Legislative Liaison Office up to her current post as the incumbent Governor of the Province of Antique.
(J.M./PIO-Antique)