(Eagle News) — President Rodrigo Duterte recognized the “extraordinary service” of government agencies, including government officials, which worked hard to make the Philippines’ hosting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in 2017 a success.
The President on Monday, December 3, also bestowed the Order of Sikatuna with the Rank of Datu (Grand Cross) with Gold Distinction to ASEAN-National Organization Council Chairman Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon Lopez, and former Secretary of Foreign Affairs Alan Peter Cayetano for their successful Philippine Chairmanship of the ASEAN 2017.
“The success of the various summits held in April and November of 2017, the numerous ministerial meetings and the commemorative activities held throughout the year, and the extensive outcome of documents arising from several ASEAN and ASEAN-led mechanisms, are the result of your hard work, professionalism, excellence, and dedication to duty,” he said.
President Duterte led the awarding ceremonies held at the Heroes’ Hall in Malacanang on December 3.
He said that he never for once doubted the capacity of the Philippine government to host the 50th year anniversary of ASEAN, including the related summits and meetings that go along with it.
“It is thus my pleasure to lead today’s ceremony that will recognize the extraordinary service of the outstanding men, women, and institutions who faced tremendous odds to make our Chairmanship a resounding success,” President Duterte said.
During the awarding ceremony the President posthumously conferred the Order of Lapu-Lapu with the Rank of Kalasag to Police Officer 1 Mark Mendoza, a local policeman from Marilao, Bulacan, who was killed by a van on October 16, 2017, while manning the traffic along North Luzon Expressway – Mendoza was part of the route security operations for the ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting.
“We are saddened by PO1 Mendoza’s untimely passing and we remain hopeful that his heroism will inspire other fellow government workers to put our nation’s interest above all else,” the President said.
“Indeed, our other honorees today have been inspired by PO1 Mendoza’s sacrifice, and their individual and collective contributions to this undertaking will forever be part of this historic event that made the Philippines a major player in the regional and international stage,” he added.
During the awarding ceremony the President also posthumously conferred the Order of Lapu-Lapu with the Rank of Kalasag to a local policeman from Marilao, Bulacan who who was killed by a van while doing his duty as part of security operations for the ASEAN meetings.
Police Officer 1 Mark Mendoza was killed while manning the traffic along North Luzon Expressway – as part of the route security operations for the ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting.
“We are saddened by PO1 Mendoza’s untimely passing and we remain hopeful that his heroism will inspire other fellow government workers to put our nation’s interest above all else,” the President said.
“Indeed, our other honorees today have been inspired by PO1 Mendoza’s sacrifice, and their individual and collective contributions to this undertaking will forever be part of this historic event that made the Philippines a major player in the regional and international stage,” he added.
(with a Malacanang release)
