Search launched for ‘outstanding citizens of Baguio’

By Ariel T. Bagowan

BAGUIO CITY – The Society of Outstanding Citizens of Baguio (SOCOB) started their search for this year’s outstanding citizens.

Mayor Mauricio Domogan this will give honor to contributions of citizens to the city.

He encouraged the constituents of Baguio to nominate persons who did done something for the city and deserves to be awarded.

Domogan said people can’t nominate themselves. He said the city government is accommodating as many nominations as they can and said  minimum number of nominations is 20.

The mayor said they will improve information dissemination regarding this event since there are many people who are qualified to be outstanding citizens.

Rebecca Domogan, the wife of the mayor, 2012 awardee and member of SOCOB who was awarded for community service said anyone can be nominated as long as they contributed to development of the city whether in sports, science and technology, agriculture, community service, health, public safety, or education.

Incumbent officials cannot be nominated, it was learned. Dr. Elma Donaal, Outstanding Citizen Awardee added that it’s alright to replicate and improve work of  previous awardees.

A taxi driver who returned a left item on their cab can be nominated but the problem is that no one is nominating them, she said, adding there is an envy that prevents people from nominating.

Henedino Luzano, 2011 awardee said there were few nominations because of crab mentality wherein people drag down each other. “they don’t want to nominate because they are afraid of being left behind. Let us remove jealousy in ourselves and nominate deserving individuals.”

The deadline for nominations will be on June 16.

Awarding is on Sept. 1 during Baguio Day. The board of judges for the search of outstanding citizens consists of six judges who are members of the SOCOB and  from different fields.

Presiding officer is the mayor.