City execs to decide on Charter awardees

CEBU, Philippines - Decision-making involving the awardees for the upcoming 75th Charter Day celebration of Cebu City is all within the bounds of city officials.

Acting Mayor Michael Rama, in yesterday’s press conference, confirmed that mayor-on-leave Tomas Osmeña has given them full authority to “decide on the chosen awardees” for the Charter Day celebration.

“Dili na manghilabot si Mayor, it is (up to) us now,” Rama said.

In the past years, Rama who heads the City Historical Affairs Commission brings with him the list and qualifications of all awardees in presenting these to Osmeña so that he will be able to justify them.

Nevertheless, Rama said the list is finalized once this is signed by him as the acting mayor and after resolutions endorsing them were passed and approved by the City Council.

Initially, it is CHAC which accepts all nominations for the awards and deliberates them.

CHAC had already deliberated on the persons on the list which include a nominee each from all the departments, city councilors and city agencies.

Rama said he had entrusted the matter to acting Vice Mayor Hilario Davide, III.

The plaques will bear the names of Rama and Davide.

Awards for outstanding City Hall employees will be given on February 20, while the outstanding individuals and institutions, which include top realty and business taxpayers, will be on the 24th.

The Charter Day celebration kicked off last Saturday, wherein CH employees celebrated their Valentine’s Day with their families at the Sugbu Building in what used to be Kawit Island, now a reclaimed area part of the South Road Properties.

The two-week celebration will include exhibits, an agro trade fair, lectures and an interdepartmental quiz bowl. — Ferliza C. Contratista/MEEV (THE FREEMAN)