Fil-Chinese community awards contributors

THE FILIPINO-Chinese Community awarded seven individuals who made significant contributions to the causes and aspirations of the associations and of the City of Baguio as a whole during the Spring Festival Dinner Awards Night held February 17 at the Hotel Supreme.

Feted were Councilor Elaine Sembrano for government service, former mayor Braulio Yaranon (government service, posthumous), City Environment and Parks Management Officer Cordelia Lacsamana for public service (environment), City Police Director Ramil Saculles for peace and order and security, Jolly Rillera for business, Victor Tiong for medical service and The President Ong Chay Huat Educational Scholarship for education.

Selection committee head William Ang said Sembrano was selected for her contributions as chair of the city council committee on health, sanitation, ecology and environmental protection while former mayor Yaranon for being “a humble and tireless man with a vision, brave heart and firm voice.”

Lacsamana was cited for steering the city’s environment programs particularly on clean water and clean air and the maintenance and protection of the city’s parks and forests.

Saculles was chosen for “advocating effective law enforcement with a responsive community” which resulted to reduced crime incidents, improved crime solution efficiency and increased city revenues derived from traffic violators.

Rillera was extolled for his “exemplary entrepreneurial skills and innovative style of leadership” who contributed in strengthening the partnership between the city government and the Fil-Chinese community.

Tiong meanwhile was commended for his continued helping the needy through his private medical practice while the President Ong Chay Huat Educational Scholarship was

awarded for benefiting hundreds of deserving students over the years.

The awards program which capped the Chinese New Year celebration in the City was attended by city officials led by Rep. Mark Go, mayor Mauricio Domogan, Vice Mayor Edison Bilog and the city councilors.

People’s Republic of China Consul and Head of Post Wang Jianqun served as guest of honor. Aileen Refuerzo