Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez is asking the Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod to pass a resolution declaring business tycoon Lucio L. Co an adopted son of the city in time for the Bacolaodiat Festival in February.
He is also asking that Co be conferred the title of Honorary Mayor of Bacolod for the city’s Bacoloadiat celebration of the Chinese New Year on February 10.
Co, is the chairman and owner of Cosco Capital Inc., Puregold, S&R Membership Shopping, among others, the mayor said in a letter to the SP.
He is best known as a visionary in retail shopping space and has crafted a brilliant masterplan to bring affordable goods and seamless service to the Filipinos, Benitez added.
Co through his various businesses has helped thousands of Filipino workers by creating job opportunities through his retail empire, he said.
The mayor said Co was also a proponent of scholarships in various schools thereby uplifting the lives of the less fortunate yet talented youth through education.
He has likewise brought significant contributions to the business and investment landscape of Bacolod and has led an exemplary yet low-key lifestyle worthy of emulation by future generations, he added.
The mayor made the request following a resolution and recommendation from the Bacolaodiat board for Co to be declared an adopted son and honorary mayor.
Bacolaodiat Inc. is an association of the Filipino-Chinese Community that promotes the culture and tradition of oriental virtues particularly centered on filial piety practiced in the family that extends to societal engagements and interaction.
The requests of Benitez and the Bacolaodiat were submitted to the SP Committee on Laws on Wednesday for action.
Councilor Al Victor Espino, Committee on Laws chair, said the mayor’s request will be acted on during the next SP session.*