UP fetes Iloilo City officials

FOUR Iloilo City Hall department heads were awarded the Centennial Model Iskolar ng Bayan Awards during the University of the Philippines’ centennial celebration July 25.

The government service awardees are city veterinarian Tomas J. Forteza Jr. (UP High School Class ’77); Community Environment and Natural Resources Officer Noel Z. Hechanova (Master in Management (MM)-Business Management ’86); city tourism officer Benito T. Jimena (MM-Business Management’86); and city planning and development coordinator Jose Roni S.J. Peñalosa (MM – Business Management ’93).

Forteza joined the city government in 1995. He earned his degree in doctor of veterinary medicine also at UP. He now handles the operation of the new double A slaughterhouse at Brgy. Tacas, Jaro.

Hechanova and Jimena were classmates at UP School of Development Management aside from being former executive assistants to the City Mayor.

Hechanova was the consultant for low cost housing and small economic enterprise development companies before he entered government in 2004. He now heads the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) which handles projects such as LINAW – local initiative for affordable waste water; clean air program promoting bio-fuels; and climate change.

Jimena is a former bank manager and a registered chemical engineer. He took his first two years in general engineering at UP Visayas before proceeding to Diliman. But during his junior year, he transferred to Central Philippine University where he finished the course.

Jimena is also the executive director of the Iloilo Dinagyang Festival and Paraw Regatta.

Peñalosa is an architecture graduate of the University of Santo Tomas in 1981 and earned his master’s degree in management from UP.

He preceded Hechanova at the CENRO before becoming the City Planning and Development Coordinator. He is also the city zoning administrator and executive director of the Metro Iloilo-Guimaras Economic Development Council (MIGEDC).

A total of 100 graduates from UP were selected from the alumni since 1948 to recognize their “meritorious and outstanding achievements in the field of endeavor as manifested by the exemplary dedication to excellence, service and leadership that shall serve as an inspiration to the future Iskolar ng Bayan.”

The Centennial Awards committee was headed by Iloilo City Vice Mayor Jed Patrick E. Mabilog, who is also the president of the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) & UP High School Iloilo Alumni Association.

Mabilog delivered the welcome message during the awarding rites while UPV Chancellor Glenn D. Aguilar gave an inspirational message.

CAS Dean Ebonia B.Eraspe and Prof. Monette Pama joined Mabilog and Aguilar in awarding the certificates and UP medallions.

The awarding was garnished with a surprise “oblation run” at the UP Quadrangle, stealing the limelight for a moment as nude students with masked faces ran across the stage amidst the shrieks and laughter of the awardees and audience.

Other government officials who received the awards were Iloilo City Councilor Perla S. Zulueta (HS ’62); Tourism regional director Edwin Trompeta (MPM); Leganes Mayor Adolfo E Jaen (HS ’52); former congressman and provincial board member Licurgo P. Tirador (AA ’52); Pavia Mayor Arcadio H. Gorriceta (HS ’61); Guimaras Governor Felipe Hilan A. Nava (HS ’80); former presidential assistant Rene C. Villa (AB 74); and Board Member Arthur R. Defensor Jr. (HS ’86).

A testimonial dinner capped the UP Centennial celebration in Iloilo with UP President Dr. Emerlinda R. Roman reporting the new UP charter which recognized the institution as the National University of the Country.

Dr. Roman said the “national” tag for UP pertains to: geography, scope of courses offered, alumni positions in government and other world-wide organizations; and the whole gamut of international linkages and relations.

Source: The Daily Guardian