WEARING a black t-shirt and blue jeans, taxi driver Eugene Novicio shyly went up the stage when his name was called during the Cebu City Government’s 82nd Charter Day awarding ceremony.
He was nervous and honored at the same time when Mayor Tomas Osmeña recognized him for returning valuables and P200,000 cash to a Finnish national who left his bag in Novicio’s vehicle.
“Wala gud ko ga-expect og bisan unsa. Pagkakita nako, ako gyud plano i-uli kay naghunahuna ko ako unyang mga anak magabaan (I didn’t expect anything in return. It was my intention to return the bag as soon as I saw it because karma might catch up with my children),” he said.
Novicio returned a black leather bag containing an Apple Macbook, a cellphone, several pieces of jewelry and cash to the Finnish who was in Cebu for a visit.
Another awardee, 77-year-old Calixta Abella, fondly called Nang Caling, was all smiles when the mayor went down the stage to hand over the award to her.
Nang Caling, a staunch advocate of the cause of the urban poor for 25 years now, had trouble walking because of an illness.
“Lipay kaayo ko. Walay kamatayon akong kalipay. Devoted gud ko nga mo-serbisyo sa katawhan (I’m very happy. I’ve always devoted my time to serve the poor,” she said.
A native of Argao, Nang Caling helped urban poor families in the city in their fight to acquire the lots they are occupying so they can have their own home.
Novicio and Nang Caling were two of the six recipients of the Outstanding Individuals Award given by the mayor.
Other awardees are lawyer Dara Acusar for her pro bono service to the City in various legal concerns especially on matters involving the South Road Properties (SRP), and Division for the Welfare of the Urban Poor (DWUP) chief Genevieve Alcoseba who contributed to the implementation of the 93-1 land swap deal.
Assistant City Administrator and the Cebu City Market Authority chairperson Annabeth Cuizon and Catherine Yso, the mayor’s secretary, also received the same award.
For the Outstanding Institution Awardees, the Differently-Able Talent Entertainment and Sports was commended for being the over-all champion in the 2018 Philippine National Paralympic Games in Marikina City.
Also given the same award was the Cebu Braille Center, Inc. for their service to the visually-impaired community in Cebu City for more than 40 years.
Four outstanding individuals were also recognized: Lawyer Jonathan Capanas, the dean of the University of San Jose-Recoletos’ College of Lawa and the City’s pro bono consultant for the ongoing disputed assessments with the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR).
Under Capanas’ guidance, the City’s tax liability of P1.2 billion was lowered to P241 million through a compromise.
Samuel “Sammy” Darza, known as the “traffic czar of Cebu” was given a posthumous award for his role in establishing the City’s Traffic Management System.
Also awarded were Cultural and Historical Affairs Commission Commissioner Arsenio Pacaña for his active participation in the programs of the executive department and Celso Pepito, who introduced “Cubism” in the Cebu art scene.
Three Outstanding Institutions also received the Mayor’s Special Award: Arn Builders Inc., who provided heavy equipment during the clearing operations in the aftermath of the Duljo-Fatima fire; Globe Telecom Inc. for establishing cell sites in upland barangays for connectivity; and Smart Communications Inc. for providing free wifi to the Cebu City Public Library.