COVID 19 frontliners to be recognized in Cinco de Noviembre celebration

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD City – The Negros Occidental provincial government will mark the 123rd Cinco de Noviembre celebration by honoring the anti-COVID 19 warriors at the Social Hall of the provincial capitol today, Nov. 5, 2021.

Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz said that unlike previous year celebrations where individual Negrenses were honored, the provincial government of Negros Occidental will recognize “team efforts” of all frontliners who are spearheading and waging the war against COVID-19.

Describing them as “heroes” for Negros Occidental, Diaz said the frontliners will be cited for their contribution to the health and well-being of Negrenses.

This is the reason why they are considered as awardees of the Cinco De Noviembre affair, he added.

The awardees are composed of COVID-19 response teams of 31 local government units, Hospital Operations Department, Provincial Health Office, Disaster Management Program Division, Information Communication Technology Division, Mambukal Resort, Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office, Army’s 303rd Infantry Brigade, Bureau of Fire and Protection-Negros Occidental, Philippine Coast Guard-Negros Occidental and Philippine Red Cross Negros Occidental-Bacolod City Chapter.

Diaz further said it is very difficult to defeat COVID-19 without team effort.

The awarding of the 2021 Outstanding Negrenses will be led by Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson and Vice Gov. Jeffrey Ferrer.

Dr. Ma. Girlie Pinongan, HOD chief, Provincial Health Officer Dr. Ernell Tumimbang and Pontevedra Mayor Jose Maria Alonso will give their respective responses on behalf of the awardees.

Prior to the awarding at 6 p.m. today, Lacson will also lead the flag raising ceremony at the Provincial Capitol and Lagoon Park, with the Philippine flag to be hoisted by soldiers of the 303rd Infantry Brigade and Boys Scout of the Philippines-Negros Occidental chapter.

Popularly known as Al Cinco de Noviembre, this day is celebrated to commemorate the Negrenses’ revolt against the Spanish colonizers on Nov 5, 1898.

Nov 5 is celebrated as Negros Day and is a non-working holiday in the province of Negros Occidental by virtue of Republic Act 6709 which took effect on Feb 10, 1989.