Capitol awards outstanding individuals

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu provincial government has recognized outstanding individuals and organizations during last night’s Governor’s Ball as part of its 442nd Founding Anniversary celebration.

This year’s awardees are headed by Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma, the incoming president of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines.

Palma said he felt he doesn’t deserve the award because he hasn’t done a lot yet for Cebu.

Palma, who was installed archbishop of the Archdiocese of Cebu on January 13, received the Award of Distinction and Medal of Merit from Governor Gwendolyn Garcia and Vice Governor Agnes Magpale.

“But I can consider it as the Cebuanos’ expression of welcome to me and even it is just a matter of few months they feel that I’m starting to do something good for Cebu,” Palma told reporters.

He said as a Church leader, he will try his best to bring spiritual renewal to the community.

“I pledge to do my best as a Church leader to really bring about development and growth and also renewal in the church,” Palma said.

Other Garbo sa Sugbo awardees were Ambassador Francisco Benedicto for International Relations, Chester Cokaliong for Entrepreneurship, Gloria Sevilla for the Performing Arts, Very Rev. Msgr. Rodolfo Villanueva for Music and Literature; and Mariquita Salimbangon-Yeung for Humanitarian and Social Service.

Benedicto said although he had received numerous awards in his 25 years in the diplomatic service, the Garbo sa Sugbo award has been the most meaningful to him being a Cebuano.

“I will treasure this award for the rest of my life,” he said.

Sevilla asked the business sector to support her plan to revive the Visayan movie.

The Municipality of San Francisco won the award for Local Community Development and Environment Management. The award was received by Vice Mayor Alfredo Arquillano.

On May 14, San Francisco was awarded the prestigious 2011 United Nations Sasakawa Award for Disaster Risk Reduction in Geneva.

The UN Sasakawa Award for Disaster Reduction is awarded to an individual or institutions that have taken active efforts in reducing disaster risk in their communities.

San Francisco was recognized for its innovative use of the Purok system.

Governor’s Citation Recipients are Mandaue Children’s Choir for music and Catmon Elementary School Volleyball Team Girls for sports.

Started by Garcia in 2004, the Garbo sa Sugbo Award is given yearly to outstanding individuals and institutions. — /LPM (FREEMAN)