OPAV recognizes partners in the fight against COVID-19

CEBU, Philippines —  The Office of the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas has recognized individuals and organizations that have helped bring down Covid-19 cases in Cebu, Negros Occidental, and the rest of Western Visayas.

Secretary Michael Lloyd Dino, Presidential Assistant for the Visayas, led the recognition rites held in Bacolod City.

Those who were recognized include the Covid-19 Chief Implementer, retired Major Gen. Melquiades Feliciano, and his wife, Mia, who is a nurse.

Recognized institutions include the Department Health 7, Philippine Information Agency 7, Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center, Philippine Coast Guard, Armed Forces of the Philippines Central Command, Victorias Milling Company and Sacred Heart School Batch '85.

Those recognized from the private sector includes businessman and Project Balik Buhay head Edmun Liu; infectious disease expert, Dr. Bryan Albert Lim, painter Romulo Galicano, Mr. Kim Wong, Mr. Jerry Sy, Mr. James "Jojo" Ang Jr., Chong Hua Hospital-Cebu and Mr. Leo Rey Yanson of Vallacar Transit.

From the government sector include Regional Development Council 7 chairperson Kenneth Cobonpue, Iloilo City Executive Assistant Alma "Bing" Juaneza, Captain Glen B. Daraug of PCG-Logistical Support Iloilo-Bacolod, Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong, AFP CenCom chief Lt. Gen. Roberto Ancan, Cebu City Councilor and Emergency Operation Center-Cebu head Joel Garganera, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board 6 Regional Director Richard Osmen~a, Office of Civil Defense 8 Regional Director Bobby Nun~ez, PNP-7 Regional Director Albert Ignatius Ferro, Mayor Roberto Palomar of Tapaz, Capiz and VSMMC chief, Dr. Gerardo Aquino.

DOH officials were also recognized such as DOH-6 Regional Director Marlyn Convocar, DOH-7 Regional Director Jaime Bernadas; DOH-7 chief pathologist, Dr. Mary Jean Loreche, and DOH-7 head medtech Prince Balaba.

Dr. Hector Gayares Jr., Dr. Chris Silibio, Dr. Nico Selibio, John Dave Dueñas, Eric Uy and Johnnel Rañeses were likewise recognized.

Dino expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the Feliciano couple for their invaluable assistance.

Dino said that it is through General Feliciano that they are able to assist Bacolod City and the rest of Western Visayas in healing together.

General Feliciano established the EOC-Cebu City which provided a comprehensive and holistic approach to the pandemic.

During that time, Cebu City was considered as a Covid-19 hotspot and with its data-unification management and contact tracing system, the Cebu City EOC succeeded in bringing down Covid-19 cases.

Bacolod Mayor Evelio “Bing” Leonardia who graced the recognition event lauded the OPAV's efforts in the city's Covid response and expressed his gratitude for the help and support.

“Game changer ang OPAV. In just five hours from time I requested for help, OPAV immediately responded," Leonardia said.

During the same event, Dino also announced his donation of 50,000 face shields or 25,000 each for Bacolod City and Negros Occidental.— GMR (FREEMAN)