Capitol lawmakers on Friday hailed the media for its restless, impact accounts from early disaster hours to swift response and running recovery, proving Bohol's prolific leaders and resilient people against the mightiest earthquake they will long remember and not forget. At the same time, the provincial board congratulated the Bohol Chronicle for winning a national press award for best reporting on disaster. “We (in the government) would not have accomplished today---and our enabling actions not have been known or considered---had it not been for media reporting, monitoring and drumbeating,” Board Member Tomas Abapo, Jr. said in introducing the resolution commending the press. Presided over by Vice Gov. Concepcion Lim, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) passed in mass motion Abapo's measure commending the local media, both print and broadcast, “for a job well done.” Gov. Edgar Chatto had himself earlier thanked the media for not just vividly documenting the agonies of disaster but going its way or partnering with the government and other sectors in helping the earthquake victims back on their feet. The legislature's praises for the media, also known as the “Fourth Estate,” climaxed in a salute to the Chronicle for winning the Philippine Press Institute (PPI) national special award for all weeklies---the Coke 2013 Bayanihan Award for Best Reporting on Disaster. Outside the session hall, SP Floor Leader Cesar Tomas Lopez and Board Member Elpidio Jala told some newsmen it is indeed high time to recognize the press partners and fiends in tests and triumphs, effectively echoing Abapo's view.

The SP recognized the spirited press works to have dramatically helped heighten the motivation to contribute to the process of Bohol's massive rehabilitation. Structures, both natural and man-made, of all makes and sizes were toppled and human lives perished by the hundreds in the mightiest and most devastating earthquake to ever hit Bohol island, even destroying parts of nearby Cebu province on October 15 last year. Several sessions ago, the provincial board formally commended the governor and vice governor “for a job well done in mitigating the sufferings of our people thru swift emergency and rehabilitation operations.” Pres. Benigno S. Aquino III extolled in his Christmas message to the nation the resilience of the quake-battered Boholanos to be “like the beaconing, inspiring Bethlehem star.” He added that he had himself witnessed “how truly” the Boholanos did muscle, wounded as they were, to rise and move on. The taller-than-the challenge, stronger-than-hope resolve to rebuild back better from pieces and miseries---while then even at the same time helping the eastern Visayas victims of monster typhoon Yolanda---more made the world not leaving Bohol, according to the board. On his May 2 visit which was his fifth to Bohol since earthquake, the president again hailed the Bohol leaders for their solidarity, hardwork, consistency and perseverance all through these most crucial times. “All these, plus the gaining convergence of our actions and sacrifices for each other, could not have caught widest attention if not critically for the drumbeat accounts by the media,” Abapo said.

The lawmaker enumerated the different media outlets which also include the Sunday Post, Bohol Times, Bohol Standard, Bohol Balita, DYRD, DYZD and DYTR, among others, even including community cable television operators offering airtimes for government development programs. Board Member Dionisio Balite, publisher of the Bohol Times, gazed straightly at Abapo's face, attentively listening to his colleague who was delivering his introductory speech in crisp premise while standing on the rostrum at the middle of the session hall. “Giving credit where it is also due,” Abapo continued, “it is high time to acknowledge the faithful efforts of all our media partners and friends,” with deserved mention of the Chronicle for its award-winning chronicles of the disaster. The PPI recognition of the works of the local pioneering journal and media institution, which coincidentally marks its 60th year on May 16, on disaster and the triumph of hope over pains and fears can do help inspire the recovery effort of the province, according to the board. (Ven rebo Arigo)