Honesty and public service were on full display Thursday morning when two members of the City Legal Office (CLO) Enforcement Team returned a lost cellular phone to its owner, who was celebrating his birthday.
Radnie Ortoño, 36, and Angelito Morones found the phone on the pavement at the corner of B.S. Aquino Drive and San Juan Street (Stop Aguinaldo) on Wednesday while on their way to lunch, a press release from the Bacolod City Communications Office said.
Returning lost items is routine for Ortoño, who said he frequently does so at the Central Market.
“Knowing how important a cellphone is, I immediately thought of the owner looking for it,” Ortoño said.
Moments after finding the device, it rang. The caller was the owner’s mother, inquiring about her son’s whereabouts. Through the conversation, Ortoño and Morones identified the owner and arranged to return the phone.
The owner was Janry Sangcaling, a 24-year-old balut vendor from Barangay Banago. As he received his phone at the City Legal Office, Sangcaling, who was celebrating his birthday that day, could not hide his joy.
“I really thought it was all gone. I’m very happy to have my phone back because my GCash, contacts, and almost everything I need are there,” Sangcaling said. “I’m very thankful to them especially that it’s my birthday.”
He recalled the phone slipped out of his pocket while riding his motorcycle to buy peanuts to sell.
Ortoño said they were glad to help make Sangcaling’s birthday more memorable.
“We’re happy to be of service and to have returned a smile on his birthday,” Ortoño said.
“Make this our birthday gift,” Morones added.
City Legal Office Enforcement Team head Reuben Mikhail Sabig praised the two personnel, saying their actions embodied the true spirit of public service.
“This is something many of us should emulate especially our fellow employees here at the Bacolod City Government Center. These are instances that show goodness and honesty, which serve as the core of our government service,” Sabig said.
Ortoño and Morones are job order workers who have served the city for more than three years. *
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