LU CONFERS AWARDS TO OUTSTANDING INDIVIDUALS AND ORGANIZATIONS
By: Rhea Matilde A. Ballesteros | By: GPC-SP | Date: March 1, 2019
Atty. Benjamin P. Sapitula, former president of Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University in Bacnotan, La Union, receives the Saranay Award during the Pammadayaw 2019 at the Diego Silang Hall, Provincial Capitol, City of San Fernando, La Union on March 1, 2019. Saranay Award is the highest award conferred during the annual awarding ceremony given to persons and organizations who have exhibited the highest degree of excellence in their chosen fields of endeavor and have raised the competitive image of La Union. Atty. Sapitula is joined by his family and his successor, Dr. Jaime I. Manuel, Jr.
In celebration of the 169th Foundation Anniversary of La Union, the Provincial Officials conferred the various institutional awards to 46 individuals and organizations during the Pammadayaw 2019 held at the Diego Silang Hall, Provincial Capitol, City of San Fernando, La Union on March 1, 2019.
The Conferment of Awards dubbed as “Pammadayaw” is an annual search and recognition of distinguished and qualified individuals and service organizations within and outside La Union for their outstanding achievements which contributed to the attainment of peace, unity and prosperity of the province and its people.
The Saranay Award is the highest award conferred to individuals who are residents of La Union; La Union Service Award is the second highest award conferred to private citizens and public officials who are residents of La Union; Diego Silang Award is conferred to qualified individuals who are non-residents of the province; Abel Award is awarded to Non-Government Organizations (NGOs), Private Institutions/Associations and Government Organizations (GOs) based outside the Province of La Union; Basi Award is awarded to NGOs Private Institutions/Associations and GOs based within the Province of La Union; Most Outstanding Entrepinoy Award aims to give recognition to enterprises and entrepreneurs and the La Union; and Most Outstanding Lupong Tagapamayapa Award recognizes exemplary performance of the Lupong Tagapamayapa in its implementation of the Katarungang Pambarangay or Barangay Justice System.
This year’s recipient of the Saranay Award was Atty. Benjamin P. Sapitula, former President of Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University from July 15, 2010 to February 8, 2019.
The La Union Service Awardees included Judge Editha G. Miña – Aguba Regional Trial Court Judge National Capital Region Judicial Region, from Bangar; Brig. Gen. Florante M. Amano of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Dr. Gualberto T. Basco, Head, Emergency Room - Ilocos Training and Regional Medical Center Rescue Team (ER-ITRMC); Dr. Charlie P. Cruz, Filipino Academic Professional Lecturer, University of Wyoming and Former SK Chairperson of Saoay; Mr. Pancracio Q. Nisce, President and Manager of Rural Bank of Bauang and District Governor of Rotary International; Mr. Reynaldo Q. Nisce, National Director, Chamber of Real Estate and Builders’ Association, Inc.; Arch. Le Marc B. Preposi, Youth Leader of the Philippine Contingent of the 45th SSEAYP, all from the City of San Fernando; Mr. Rodrigo Dela Peña, Jr., Literary Writer from Balaoan; and Ms. Joanne F. Ponsoy, News Anchor, GMA TV 10 – Dagupan City from Naguillian.
They have been recognized for bringing honor, prestige and recognition to the province through excellence and distinction in the pursuit of their work and profession.
21 civic organizations were given the Basi Award. They are Agoo Lions Club; Gifted Learning Centre Campus Lions Club; JCI Naguilian Basi; JCI San Fernando Saluyot; Ilocos Training and Regional Medical Center Rescue Team; La Union (Host) Lions Club; Lorma Campus Lions Club; LU LD International Lions Club; 103rd Ready Reserve Infantry Battalion; Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary – Auxiliary District of CGADNWLZN; Philippine Red Cross- La Union Chapter; Rotary Club of Agoo; Rotary Club of Bauang; Rotary Club of Metro Rosario; Rotary Club of Metro San Fernando; Rotary Club of San Fernando City North; Rotary Club of San Fernando La Union Inc.; Rotary Club of San Juan; Rotary Club of Southern La Union (Aringay); San Fernando (LU) Lions Club; and Zonta Club of La Union.
The Diego Silang Award was given to Dr. Eduardo M. Badua III, Medical Center Chief of the ITRMC; and Dr. Cherry Maglaya-Lee, President of Maglaya Medical-Legal Missions, Inc.; while the lone awardee for the Abel Award is the Maglaya Medical-Legal Missions, Inc.
The Most Outstanding Entrepinoy Award was given to businessmen or entrepreneurs whose leadership, dynamism and professionalism fulfill social responsibilities and profound impact on the lives of the people of La Union. The awardees are Bangar Loom Weavers Association; Bauang Crochet Association; Inc. Familiar Table Artisan Chocolate and Café; Halo-Halo de Iloko; JND Healthy Foods; Kambak Resto and Grill; Lemon Hub; Lomboy Farms; Makkan Ilocano Restaurant; Mosuela Liner; and Sagat Crust Food House.
In recognition of its exemplary performance particularly in the effective and efficient operation and promotion of the Katarungang Pambarangay objectives, the Most Outstanding Lupong Tagapamayapa Award was given to Barangay Catbangen of the City of San Fernando, La Union.
On behalf of all the awardees, Atty. Benjamin P. Sapitula expressed his gratitude to the provincial officials for the recognition. He enumerated his various achievements and accomplishments during his term as the University President of DMMMSU including implementing various programs and projects, producing topnotchers in various fields, and making DMMMSU known of its academic excellence not only in the Region but in the country as well which he believed were the reasons for having coveted the most prestigious award. Likewise, he encouraged his fellow awardees to continue their cooperation and support to achieve the lifelong dream of prosperity for the people of La Union.
Gov. Francisco Emmanuel “Pacoy” R. Ortega III, in his speech delivered by Sangguniang Panlalawigan Member Maria Annabelle S. De Guzman, said that the Pammadayaw is the avenue to reward the commitment to service and recognize the significant contributions the awardees have made in the development of the community. He considered them the best partner of transformative governance the province has been aspiring for. Lastly, he enjoined the awardees to remain committed and continue to work and be inspired with love.
