Four outstanding Bacolodnons were conferred Banwahanon Awards at Bacolod’s 85th Charter Day Anniversary program at L’Fisher Hotel Sunday night, June 18.
The city government led by Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez also honored outstanding city government employees and tax payers, and gave an “I’Il Be the Change Award” for the first time.
The 2023 Banwahanon Awardees are charity diva Ruby “Token” Lizares and businessmen Willy Au, Ian Manuel Lo and Benjamin Lopue Jr.
Benitez said they were honored for extraordinary deeds in the aid of others.
Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson, who delivered a congratulatory message, lauded the awardees for giving back to society.
Lizares was honored for her charity concerts for the benefit of the homes for the aged, orphanages, children in need of medical attention, breast cancer patients, and institutions that serve the poor.
Au was awarded for his immediate response to the various needs of the people in the barangays during the critical period of the COVID-19 pandemic through mobile medical laboratories, and for providing additional equipment for the fire prevention and disaster rescue operations in the city.
Lo was honored for contributing significantly to the public health programs, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, extending livelihood opportunities for indigents, supporting sports activities, and assisting in the fire prevention and disaster relief operations of the city.
Lopue was awarded for his contributions in the training and education of the youth, improvement of public school buildings, providing scholarships to deserving students, support for the police in maintaining peace and order, and other numerous undertakings to improve the social and health conditions of the communities in Bacolod City.
Lizares, who delivered the response for the awardees, said “together let us embrace the transformative power of sharing and create a society filled with empathy and support”.
Every act of sharing creates a ripple effect of kindness, she said.
She said the award will inspire her to continue seeing Jesus in the faces of the lost, the sick, underprivileged and abandoned who need help.
The “I’Il Be the Change Award”, a recognition of a Bacolodnon who has made a significant impact in the community through a selfless act to bring about positive change, was given to Julius Caesar Benedicto Esmeralda.
He was cited for making a citizen’s arrest of persons stealing a manhole cover, which video went viral on social media.
The Bacolod City government employees honored in the Supervisory Level were nominees Maruja M. Abayon and Mary Ann L. Ballos, and winners U A. De la Tiña, Joemarie A. Pajes and Femarie Ybañez.
In the non-supervisory category honored were the nominees Meer M. Herbolario and Nove V. Jalbuena and winner Rey M. Demisana.
The Top Business Taxpayers for 2022 for single proprietorships were Silver Dragon Construction Lumber and Glass Supply, Wilkinson Construction, Bacolod Triumph Hardware, A-A Electrical Supplies and Edmarliz Beverage Trading; and for corporations – Nestle Philippines Inc., Coca Cola Beverages Philippines Inc., ARB Call Facilities Inc., SM City Bacolod and SYL Hermanos Trade Center Inc.
The Top Real Property Taxpayers for 2022 – individual category were Jose Antonio Alonte Jr., Stephanie Chiu, Roseller Maalat, Rolando Corona Jr. and Catherine Ong; and for corporations – Capitol Central Commercial Ventures Corp., SM Prime Holdings Inc., Coca Cola Beverages Philippines Inc., Philippine Airlines Inc., and Dynasty Management and Development Corp.*