City employee finds, returns precious jewel

By Aileen P. Refuerzo

BAGUIO CITY – An employee of the city mayor’s office here was commended for returning a precious piece of jewelry which had gone missing while its owner was attending a meeting with Mayor Mauricio Domogan last June 21.

Noriel Anthony Buenavista,34, a newly promoted process server presently detailed at the city mayor’s office was recognized during last Monday’s flag-raising ceremonies for his honesty and helpfulness for locating and returning an earring with precious stones owned by Baguio City Market Vendors Association president Nancy Alabanza.

Employees at the mayor’s office said Alabanza attended a Baguio City Market Authority meeting at the city mayor’s office last Thursday and may have not realized that her earring had fallen off.

Alabanza’s daughter Paulynne Balajadia, a city council employee, went to check with the mayor’s office Friday morning and Buenavista, when informed, immediately searched the meeting area.

            

He found the missing earring stuck between two wrought iron stands of chairs at the conference area and immediately returned the item to Paulynn.

During the Alay sa Kalinisan meeting Friday afternoon, Alabanza announced Buenavista’s good deed and sought out the employee after the meeting to personally thank him.

Last Monday, Alabanza acknowledged Buenavista before city officials and co-employees.

“I thank Mr. Buenavista for his honesty for returning a very precious thing that is very important to me,” Alabanza said and presented Buenavista a reward.

Mayor Domogan said the office is proud of Buenavista whose deed he said is worth emulating.

Buenavista hails from Abra and is married with three children.

He was a member of the police auxiliary force under the city police and then under the city mayor’s office which paved the way for his entry into the city government in 2009 as administrative aide of the Baguio City library until his promotion last May as process server at the People’s Law Enforcement Board also under the city mayor’s office.

He is known by his peers as an unassuming and hardworking employee who strives to uplift his status by pursuing his studies despite his meager salary.  He is now on his fourth year of law studies at the Cordillera Career Development College.