WREATH-LAYING. Cebu City officials offer a wreath in front of the statue of Dr. Jose Rizal near the Cebu City Legislative Building on Monday (Aug. 26, 2024) in celebration of National Heroes Day. Cebu City Vice Mayor Donaldo Hontiveros underscored the heroism of public servants. (Photo courtesy of Cebu City PIO)
CEBU CITY – Vice Mayor Donaldo Hontiveros on Monday cited the role of public servants in instilling the values of Philippine heroes and ancestors who fought for the freedom now enjoyed by the Cebuano community.
“As employees of the government, we hold a unique position to impact the lives of our people through our commitment to excellence, fairness, and compassion that can make a lasting difference,” he said as he led the commemoration of National Heroes Day at the Plaza Sugbo.
Hontiveros together with Task Group Cebu commander Col. Erwin Rommel Lamzon also led a wreath-laying ceremony at the statue of Dr. Jose Rizal beside the Cebu City Legislative Building.
A 21-gun salute by the members of the Philippine Army gave honor to Rizal and other national and local heroes.
Hontiveros cited the acts of the local hero Pantaleon Villegas, also known as Leon Kilat, who, like Rizal and Andres Bonifacio, embodied the values the public servants should emulate.
“But for me, heroism is not confined to the pages of history or the battlefields in the past. In our daily lives particularly in our role as public servants, we have the opportunity to embody the same values that define our heroes,” he said.
He told civil servants that every act of service no matter how small contributes to the greater good of the community.
“When government workers approach their duties with integrity, dedication, and a genuine desire to uplift the lives of fellow Cebuanos, we are living out a legacy of heroism,” he added. (PNA)
