Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez here urged Bacolodnons to do their part in ensuring a “better Bacolod”, which aims to become a “super city”, in rites culminating the city’s 85th Charter Day celebration at L’ Fisher Hotel Sunday night.
“We reflect on our city’s resilient journey from humble beginnings to remarkable growth. With a promising future ahead, Bacolod City will continue to thrive, offering opportunities for prosperity to all Bacolodnons who call it home,” he said.
Benitez said he sees Bacolod moving towards becoming a “super city”, which he introduced when he assumed office last year as a “global city with a diversified economy and skilled human resources, and model for green development and good governance”.
“We hope this ushers in a new society, a new city, that we will all be proud of once this day becomes a reality,” the mayor added.
At the culmination event, Benitez presented to four recipients the “Ang Banwahanon Award,” the highest award given by the city to Bacolodnons whose life or service has had a considerable impact on the people and the community.
The awardees included businessmen Willy Au, Ian Manuel Lo, and Benjamin Lopue Jr. as well as singer-concert performer Ruby “Token” Lizares, for exemplifying “selfless service achievements that served as an inspiration and a model worthy of emulation”.
Au was honored for his immediate response to the various needs of the people in the barangays during the critical period of the Covid-19 pandemic while Lo was merited for contributing significantly to the public health programs during the Covid-19 pandemic, extending livelihood opportunities for indigents, supporting sports activities, and assisting in fire prevention and disaster relief operations.
Lopue was recognized for his contributions mainly in the training and education of the youth, improvement of public school buildings, providing scholarships to deserving students, and support for the police in maintaining peace and order while Lizares, known as the “Charity Diva”, for her charity concerts that benefited the home for the aged, orphanages, children in need of medical attention and breast cancer patients, and humanitarian causes and help extended to charitable institutions.
For the first time, the prestigious “I’ll Be the Change Award” was bestowed on businessman Julius Caesar Esmeralda, who was “recognized for serving as an inspiration to others for embodying the values of courage and concern for his community”.
Benitez said Esmeralda stood out when his video of a “citizen’s arrest” of persons stealing a manhole cover along a major street here went viral last December.
Through the award, the city recognizes “individuals who have made a profound impact through their acts of kindness, unwavering commitment, and exceptional service, adding that “these remarkable individuals are the driving force behind positive transformation within our community”.
“I’ll Be the Change” was Benitez’s campaign slogan when he ran for mayor for the first time during the May 22 elections.
Also awarded were the city’s four outstanding employees and 20 outstanding business and real property taxpayers. (PNA)
