The Manila City Council celebrated its 122nd anniversary last Monday, highlighting the bestowing of awards to former and current members for their outstanding performance, dedication and colorful careers.
Leading the awardees was Manila City Administrator Bernardito Ang, who had served as Manila Third District Councilor for the longest period of time — totaling seven terms or an equivalent of 25 years.
He has also held the position of Secretary to the Vice Mayor before becoming Secretary to the Mayor during the administration of erstwhile Mayor Isko Moreno and is now the City Administrator under the rein of Mayor Honey Lacuna.
Ang is known for his many achievements, among them, for having authored the Local Tax Code of Manila and principally authoring the city ordinance that created the then City College of Manila, now known as Universidad de Manila.
In his speech, Vice Mayor Yul Servo expressed gratitude to his mentors and made special mention of Ang, Lacuna, Moreno, and former Vice Mayor Danilo Lacuna for helping him in his political career.
Former Vice Mayor Danilo Lacuna, father of Mayor Honey, received the “Dangal ng Konseho Award” in recognition of his decades of selfless service both as member and Presiding Officer of the MCC and for his “compassionate leadership that steered the city council to greater heights, producing measures that redounded to the benefit of a great number of Manileños and his exemplary performance worthy of emulation by future generation of public servants.”
His children, Councilors Dr. Lei Lacuna and Philip and zoning chief Dennis, received the award in behalf of their father.
Meantime, Representatives Ernesto Dionisio, Jr., Rolando Valeriano, Joel R. Chua, Edward V.P. Maceda, Irwin Tieng, and Bienvenido Abante, Jr., each received an award as “Distinguished Legislator of Manila” for serving the MCC with utmost distinction when they were Councilors, leading to their election to the House of Representatives where they continue to bring pride and honor to the city.
The event was held at the Ayuntamiento de Manila located in the historic Intramuros and the seat of the Manila City Council during the Spanish era. Following its destruction during World War II, it was reconstructed and the building now houses the offices of the Bureau of the Treasury.
