DAPIITAN CITY — The City Government of Davao awarded Rizal Exemplar Award to residents and stakeholders for their invaluable contribution in attaining the prestige being the Shrine City of the Philippines in a ceremony in time for the celebration of the 60th founding day of city.
Atty. Amalou Monroyo, the City Administrator explained “Rizal being a licensed land surveyor saw promised in this land and applied everything he knew to make his place of exile to be a better place. Fast forward to 2023, from a remote and sleeping town, Dapitan has become a city rich in history, with world class entertainment and recreational facilities, competitive educational institutions and health care programs. Progressive while maintaining its quaint and laidback charm and preserving its important customs and traditions.”
City mayor Seth Frederick Jalosjos for his part said “Today we honor the legacy of one of the Philippines’ greatest heroes Jose Rizal. With the Gawad Dapitanon Award which recognizes exemplary individuals who have demonstrated the ideals of Rizal and exemplified service to the country and its people. We are to honor Rizal’s memory and to recognize those who shared his commitment.”
Jalosjos said giving importance to those who contributed for the development of Dapitan is one of the highlights as the city celebrates the 60th Founding Anniversary of Dapitan, ” It is important to recognize the contributions of its people in the progress of the city.”
In June 23, 1963, Dapitan was still a town but during the time of the late President Diosdado Macapagal, Justice Florentino Saguin, Governor Leoncio Hamoy and Florentino Cad convened the residents and everyone was united to push for the cityhood of Dapitan.
Consuelo Saguin Bruton, one of the awardees recalled “It was quite a nice, pleasant surprise and it’s a great way to I guess honor my grandfather who, we too remember a lot of. Because I did spend my summers here and I grew-up in Manila. But every summer we come here. My grandfather would have all of us and we would all go to the Parke, the shrine of Rizal, that’s where we would have our picnics. So that’s my memory of Dapitan in the 60s.”
Another awardee, Rex Angelo Hamoy, revealed “Foremost we are very grateful to the Local Government of Dapitan headed by Mayor Frederick Jalosjos to recognize the efforts of my grandfather Atty. Leoncio Hamoy on creation of the city of Dapitan.”
Recalled the effort of his grandfather, Hamoy narrated “It was really an uphill climb because at that time the law required that in order for the municipality to become a city you should qualify in terms of territory, income and population. And Dapitan only qualified in terms of territory. But because of the historical significance even if we lack the requirements of the two—income and population we still became a city much earlier than the progressive city of Dipolog. We were the first city of Zamboanga del Norte.”
Jalosjos said the rich history of Dapitan must be preserve to the next generation to treasure and value the history of the city.
