Bacolod honors distinguished citizens in ‘Banwahanon Awards’
BACOLOD CITY — Three distinguished Bacoleños were honored yesterday as “Banwahanon Awardees” during the 71st Founding Anniversary celebration of the city.
Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, who was invited as Keynote Speaker, along with Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia led the awarding ceremony at the New Government Center.
The three awardees were Atty. Francisco B. Cruz, Dr. Ma. Dolores Villarosa Ramos and Milagros Ong.
Cruz was recognized for his selfless and free legal service extended to the poor and his vigilance and devotion to the practice of law for over 40 years, as well as his untiring effort to give an example of law as the vehicle for justice and peace.
On the other hand, Ramos was also recognized by the Banwahanon Nomination Committee because of her dedication in the field of education that touched the lives of young people in various institutions of learning in Bacolod and her research that contributed to the developments of the communities of the city.
Ong, for her part, was awarded for her generosity of time, talent and treasure that benefited the poor and the community especially the disadvantaged and the abandoned.
Meanwhile, Ermita also graced yesterday the awarding for “Dungganon nga Bacolodnon Awards” and recognition for outstanding individual taxpayers and corporations who had contributed a lot for the development of the city of Bacolod.
Meanwhile, Secretary Ermita thanked the local officials led by Mayor Leonardia for inviting him and be a part of the 71st Charter Day Anniversary.
“Admittedly, over the years, Bacolod City’s celebration has become so much awaited because of the world famous Masskara Festival. It has become quite a spectacle of local tourism, a much-needed leavening of sights and sounds, and an ultimate expression of the human capacity to search and achieve freedom of the mind and soul,” said Ermita in his speech.
He also lauded the New Government Center which for him is a symbol of people’s dream. “I take pride in standing before you today in this New Government Center, a structure which should be the envy of Local Government Units everywhere. It is not merely a structure that houses the Local Executive Offices, but it also symbolizes the capacity of the people to dream and realize that dream. No Matter what the hurdles are,” Ermita said.