Zamboanga awards JVR for public service

CEBU, Philippines - The provincial government of Zamboanga del Norte has feted Talisay City Mayor Johnny De los Reyes as one of the awardees in the field of public administration for its 62nd founding anniversary with "Saulog" highlighting the event.

De los Reyes, a native from Zamboanga del Norte, yesterday received the Saulog Achievers award at the Boulevard Function Hall in Dipolog City from Governor Roberto Uy.

The mayor was accompanied by his son, City Administrator John Yre De los Reyes.

"I'm glad and happy that I received this award. Kini nagpasabot lang nga gi-recognize ko sa akong home province for my achievements sa Talisay City," De los Reyes said.

Provincial legal officer Norberto Denura, the chairperson of the achiever's award committee, said De los Reyes was recognized in the field of public administration.

"After a thorough deliberation by a panel of jurors, it is my honor to inform the good mayor that he was chosen as one of this year's Saulog Achievers in the field of public administration," Denura said in his letter addressed to De los Reyes last May 26.

Saulog, a Visayan term for "celebration," replaced the Hudyaka Festival of the previous administration.

Denura said the celebration departs from lavish and meaningless merrymaking activities spearheaded by the previous leadership to celebrate province's founding anniversary.

A number of activities have been lined up from May 29 until June 6 to commemorate the creation of the province in 1952 by virtue of Republic Act 711.