𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝐹𝑟𝑒𝑒𝑚𝑎𝑛 confers on Gov. Gwen Garcia the “ProgreCEBU Excellence Award” in recognition for her visionary leadership and dedication to driving progressive change in Cebu throughout her years in government service.
The award was personally delivered by 𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝐹𝑟𝑒𝑒𝑚𝑎𝑛 general manager Melandro Mendoza and advertising manager Janet Montenegro during their visit at the Capitol on July 18.
“Public service is a thankless job; and if you expected thank yous each time you walked that extra mile, each time you spent an additional sleepless hour, each time you went without meals just so work could be finished, then you’d be sorely disappointed,” Gov. Gwen said when she accepted the award.
𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝐹𝑟𝑒𝑒𝑚𝑎𝑛, Cebu’s longest-running newspaper, is celebrating this year its 105th founding anniversary with the theme “Celebrating Cebu’s Progress,” highlighting how far Cebu has come and how far the newspaper has come along with it.
“I went into this job knowing fully well the challenges that I had to face and conquer. But when you get a pat in the back, a thank you, a word of gratitude, especially from such a prestigious institution as the fair and fearless 𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝐹𝑟𝑒𝑒𝑚𝑎𝑛, then that just recharges me with quadruple energy that will make me push myself even harder for Cebu and the Cebuanos,” Gov. Gwen added.
𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝐹𝑟𝑒𝑒𝑚𝑎𝑛 noted Gov. Gwen’s dedication to Cebu’s progress and development; as well as exemplary leadership, innovation, and outstanding achievements in local governance which distinguish her as a top recipient of the award.
Her trailblazing initiatives have led to impactful partnerships with other leaders in government and the private sector, showcasing her openness to innovation and collaboration.
Among her effective programs cited for the award were the Caravan of Government Services, which brings accessible government services to grassroots levels, ensuring even the most remote communities benefit from provincial support; SUGBUsog; Sugbo School Feeding Program; Sugbo Kahanas; Suroy-Suroy Sugbo; and Pasigarbo sa Sugbo.
The award is the latest among the strings of recognition that Cebu’s first woman and longest-serving governor has received in her illustrious career in public service.
Just recently, she was named Top-Performing Governor in the Philippines, with a 93.8% job performance rating, according to an independent survey conducted by RP-Mission and Development Foundation Inc. for the first quarter of 2024, a spot she also held last year. | BJR, with reports from Marie Therese Pacaña, CNU Intern