Edsa awardees: Go Negosyo, Alay Kawal

MANILA, Philippines – The EDSA People Power Commission (EPPC) has cited a nongovernment organization and a civil society group for promoting EDSA 1’s spirit of peaceful unity, brotherhood and economic empowerment toward prosperity.

In a statement, EPPC director Chris Carrion said that among the highlights of this year’s commemoration of the first people power revolt that toppled the Marcos dictatorship are the special awards to outstanding members of civil society and NGOs.

The two awardees, Go Negosyo and Alay sa Kawal Foundation Inc., were chosen to highlight the 22nd year of EDSA 1 tomorrow at the EDSA Shrine with the theme Kapayapaan at Pagkakaisa Tungo sa Kaunlaran (Peace and Unity Toward Progress).

Vice President Noli de Castro will be the guest of honor during the event. Other guests include former President Fidel Ramos, Metro Manila Development Authority Bayani Fernando, the 17 mayors of Metro Manila led by Quezon City Mayor Feliciano Belmonte Jr., members of the diplomatic community, Cabinet officials and EPPC commissioners. NGOs and students are also expected to grace the event.

Carrion and EPPC secretary Angie Barrera said the special awards committee is composed of the Spirit of EDSA Foundation, Evelio Javier Foundation Inc. and the Good Citizenship Movement.

Meanwhile, Makati Mayor and United Opposition president Jejomar Binay said that the venue for the Thanksgiving Mass tomorrow has been moved to the Redemptorist Church in Baclaran at 3 p.m. from its earlier announced venue at the Ninoy Aquino Monument on Ayala Avenue, Makati City.

Binay said he, together with former President Corazon Aquino and Rodolfo Lozada, key witness in the government’s allegedly overpriced broadband deal with China’s ZTE Corp, will be attending the Mass. – Perseus Echeminada, Rhodina Villanueva