BACOLOD City – The Office of the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas (OPAV) formally expressed gratitude to all those who have helped bring down coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases in Negros Occidental and the rest of Western Visayas, and Cebu in recognition rites held here recently.
OPAV gave 29 Plaques of Appreciation to individuals and organizations. The awarding ceremony on Oct. 29 was held at Seda Hotel.
Secretary Michael Lloyd Dino, presidential assistant for the Visayas, cited the collaboration and cooperation among individuals, government agencies and non-government organizations as having contributed to the campaign against COVID-19.
“First, my heartfelt gratitude to our COVID-19 Chief Implementer, (retired Major) General Melquiades Feliciano. Without you, this recognition today will not be possible,” Dino said. “It is through General Feliciano that we are able to assist Bacolod and the rest of Western Visayas in healing together.”
Feliciano established the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) in Cebu City, which provided a comprehensive and wholistic approach to the pandemic.
At the time, Cebu City was considered as a COVID-19 hotspot. With its data-unification management and contact tracing system, the Cebu City EOC succeeded in bringing down COVID-19 cases.
The Secretary also credited Feliciano’s wife, Mia Feliciano, who is a nurse, for her invaluable assistance to her husband.
“Ma’am, I would like to also express my heartfelt gratitude to you for your dedication in helping Western Visayas. With General Mel you left the safety and comfort of your home to help us fight COVID-19 in the Visayas,” he pointed out.
Dino also credited the Regional Director Jaime Bernadas, Dr. Mary Jean Loreche and Prince Balaba of the Department of Health in Central Visayas for sharing their best practices with Western Visayas.
Dino also made special mention of the volunteers who helped the Bacolod EOC, and who worked despite the health risks, including Dr. Hector Gayares Jr., Dr. Chris G. Sorongon, Dr. Nico Selibio and John Dave Dueñas.
Aside from the Feliciano couple and the DOH Central Visayas officials, the awardees include institutions such as Chong Hua Hospital-Cebu, DOH Region 7, Philippine Information Agency, Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC), Philippine Coast Guard, Armed Forces of the Philippines Central Command and Sacred Heart School Batch ’85.
Regional Development Council (RDC) Region 7 chairman Kenneth Cobonpue, businessman Edmun Liu, Dr. Bryan Albert Lim, painter Romulo Galicano, James “Jojo” Ang Jr., Alma “Bing” Juaneza, Kim Wong, Jerry Sy, Leo Rey Yanson of Vallacar Transit, and Captain Glen B. Daraug also received plaques of recognition.
OPAV also recognized the contributions of VSMMC chief Dr. Gerardo Aquino, Baguio City mayor Benjamin Magalong, Central Command chief Lieutenant General Roberto Ancan, Cebu City councilor Joel Garganera, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board Region 6 director Richard Osmeña, Office of Civil Defense Region 8 director Bobby Nuñez, Mayor Roberto Palomar of Tapaz, Capiz and DOH Region 6 director Marlyn Convocar.
Bacolod City’s Mayor Evelio Leonardia, who also graced the recognition event, lauded the OPAV’s efforts in the city’s COVID response, expressing his gratitude for the help and support.
“Game changer ang OPAV. In just five hours from time I requested for help, OPAV immediately responded,” he said.
The province of Negros Occidental was represented by Provincial Administrator Atty. Ray Diaz and Board Member Ryan Gamboa.
Feliciano, who heads the Bacolod Emergency Operations Center (EOC), said the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas, Secretary Michael Lloyd Dino, has been very instrumental in containing the COVID outbreak in the region.
Feliciano also recognized the efforts all the persons who worked on the ground and thank them for their contribution to EOC. The Bacolod EOC is the second EOC set up in the Visayas.
He added that it is noteworthy to state that Bacolod City is now stable as far as the COVID situation is concerned. From almost 200 daily cases in September, Bacolod’s daily cases have gone down to less than 30 and are still going down./PN
