BACOLOD CITY , Philippines — The City Council has approved a resolution confering the highest honors to two Negrenses who are members of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), an international chemical weapons watchdog that won the Nobel Peace Prize for 2013.
The resolution said Franz Ontal, a native of Victorias City in Negros Occidental, is head of the Inspector Training of the OPCW, and Criselda Javelosa Van Dasler, who hails from Bacolod, who were with eight other Filipinos members of the organization that won the highly prestigious Nobel Peace Prize this year.
OPCW is an organization supported by the United Nations and is considered to be as an international chemical weapons watchdog that helps eliminate the Syrian army's stockpiles of chemical weapons, said the resolution, authored by Councilor Caesar Distrito.
The Norwegian Nobel Committee cited OPCW for the latter's "extensive efforts to eliminate chemical weapons and that it highlighted a cause, movement or process that will hopefully promote world peace."
The Bacolod resolution said the efforts of Ontal and Van Dasler are remarkable and will truly inspire not just the "Bacolodnons" or the "Negrosanons" but will serve as an inspiration to all Filipinos.
"The dedication of Ontal and Van Dasler in serving the humanity is a great pride and honor to all of us for it showed to others that we Filipinos also have exceptional talents and skills that can create an impressive mark in the international stage," the resolution said.
Last week, Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr. congratulated Ontal: "It is our great pride that a Negrense, Franz Ontal, head of Inspector Training of OPCW, is part of the organization that won the prestigious Nobel Peace Prize this year ... May Mr. Ontal's feat inspire Negrenses, and motivate others to pursue genuine advocacy work. Our congratulations to Mr. Ontal and the other Filipinos, who are members of OPCW."
Van Dasler, who has worked for OPCW in the Netherlands since 2003, is the personal assistant of the head of Office of Strategy and Policy. She said other Filipinos at the OPCW are Helen Andriessen and Gemma van Oudheusden-Vincoy from Davao City, Jenniefer Balatbat, Allan Laroza, Roycelynne Reyes and Mary Ann Nieto-Schroor from Metro Manila, Michael Conche from General Santos City and Emily Castriciones from Quezon City.
The 49-year-old Ontal recently explained to CNN the work of the OPCW. His family and the University of St. La Salle (USLS) in Bacolod, where he studied, were also elated that the OPCW won the Nobel Peace Prize.
Brother Ray Suplido, head of the USLS-Bacolod, said Ontal serves as a good example to students and to others as one who uses his knowledge and skills in the service of humanity. "Ontal's being part of the organization is a great honor and pride for La Salle Bacolod, which inculcates in its students the need to work for causes that benefit the people," Suplido said.
Ontal is the fourth of six children of the late Dr. Pat Ontal, company physician of Victorias Milling Company (VMC) in Victorias City, and the former Lydia Teves Gamboa. After graduating from La Salle High School-Bacolod in 1980, Ontal completed his undergraduate degree in biology and began pre-med studies at La Salle College Bacolod, before immigrating to New York City, U.S.A.
He worked as a paramedic and emergency medical technician instructor with the New York City Emergency Medical Services (EMS), then under the New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation, which later merged with the New York City Fire Department.
In 2005, Ontal left New York City for The Hague, Netherlands, to begin his service with the OPCW, first as a medic for the chemical weapons inspector and disposal teams, and later as head of its Inspector Training. (FREEMAN)