PHYSICIAN Bryan Albert Lim, an infectious disease specialist, was among the special awardees during the 84th celebration of the Cebu City Charter Day on Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2021.
“I am immensely honored. Also, I feel unworthy since there are also so many other Cebuanos who are doing a lot to help in this pandemic,” Lim said.
He believes that there is still much to be done in the fight against the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic, especially in terms of balancing the economy and health.
“It was a challenge since we don’t have a collective memory of a pandemic. Initially, it was overwhelming, but I’m grateful that I met so many sincere Cebuanos who dedicated their resources for Cebu. This has sustained me. And I am hopeful that our love for Cebu will help us overcome the challenges in rebuilding the economy,” he added.
When the pandemic hit the country, Lim said he felt that it was his moral, ethical and intellectual responsibility to use his knowledge and specialty in helping Cebu.
Lim said both of his parents contracted Covid-19. His father died from the infection in 2020.
This is why fighting the current pandemic is “very personal” for him.
“I feel that in each life that I’m able to save, I sort of, make him proud as well. I empathize immensely with all those who suffered,” he said.
“I can feel the anxiety, loneliness, and fear experienced by my patients and their families. At the same time, I share with them the joys when they recover,” he added.
The Cebu City Government recognized a total of 32 organizations and individuals for their contributions to the Covid-19 response.
Twelve corporations and foundations were recognized, namely: Christina Lee Dino Foundation; Philippine Spring Water Resources Inc.; Bigfoot Studios; Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway Corp.; SM Foundation Inc.; Cebu Holdings Inc.; Metro Pacific Tollways Corp.; Marino Partylist; Gokongwei Brothers Foundation; Jaime Ongpin Foundation; Aboitiz Group of Companies; and Cebu Beautiful Movement Foundation.
Aside from Lim, 19 other individuals were recognized.
They are Lt. Gen. Roberto Ancan, commander of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Central Command; Prevention, Restoration, Order, Beautification and Enhancement (Probe) chief Raquel Arce; VSMMC hospital administrator Gerardo Aquino Jr.; Department of Health (DOH) Central Visayas Director Jaime Bernadas; City Engineer Lowell Corminal; retired Major Gen. Melquiades Feliciano, chief implementer of the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF)-Visayas; Gen. Albert Ignatius Ferro, former Police Regional Office (PRO) director; Councilor Joel Garganera, deputy chief implementer of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC); and Councilor Donaldo “Dondon” Hontiveros, one of the managers of New Normal Oasis for Adaptation and a Home (Noah).
The other awardees are Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) Director Col. Josefino Ligan; City Health Department (CHD) assistant head Michelle Linsalata; Bayanihan Cebu executive committee member Edmun Liu; DOH 7 chief pathologist Mary Jean Loreche; City Environmental Sanitation and Enforcement Team (Ceset) head Grace Luardo; mayor’s office chief of staff Mary Rose Lubino; City Environment and Natural Resources Office (Cenro) head Editha Peros; Noah manager Jocelyn Pesquera; and Councilors David Tumulak and Phillip Zafra. (WBS / JJL)