By MIKE ORTEGA LIGALIG

One year into his office as the youngest mayor the city ever had, City Mayor John Geesnell “Baba” Yap II is seeing to it that the city will be able to recover from the “trauma of the past.” By past, it is obvious that he is referring to the past administration where he inherited not palatable plaudits but anything that spelled the difference between good and bad. It's now all water under the bridge, and there's no use beating a dead horse. Past is past, and face he must the challenge of the future where he still has two years in office to prove his worth as city mayor. Thus, as he embarks on his second year in office, Mayor Baba wants to reaffirm that his government is “by the people, through the people, and for the people.” With the city celebrating its 48th charter day on Tuesday, the people of Tagbilaran are expecting that the city mayor will not only underscore its list of stellar accomplishments during the past 12 months of Yap's leadership but it would also recognize, in a dazzling manner, the significant contributions of several individuals and entities that have made Tagbilaran what it is today. “On Tuesday, Tagbilaran City will declare that it has recovered from the trauma of nine years of mismanagement,” a high-ranking city official, requesting anonymity, has told the Bohol Sunday Post. “And on Tuesday, we are going to highlight the clear and convincing proofs of our success, if only to reassure our people that they have made the right decision in the May 2013 polls.”

Tagbilaran's 48th Charter Day celebration, according to sources, is expected not only a parade of “most valuable personalities” (MVPs) in government and “very important persons” (VIPs) in the private sector, but Yap's highly-anticipated first “state of the city address” (SOCA) has been seen as a defining moment for Tagbilaran in which Yap's accomplishments and visions for the next two years and beyond would be unveiled in what city hall insiders have described as “exceeding people's and critics' expectations.” The Post, though it already knows what will be revealed on Tuesday, has been requested to withhold the specific details of what is to expect in Yap's SOCA. However, the paper has been appraised that Tuesday's ceremony will reecho, if not outstrip, the grandiose impression the city had made in the holding of Saulog 2014 last May.

City Administrator Edi Borja said that this year's theme “Bangon, Abante, Barog, Asenso Tagbilaran” reflects the city's rise from the “ruins of the previous leadership.” He revealed that the city mayor during his address would touch on health (revitalized, fortified and much improved health card program); education (huge scholarship fund increase); income (huge revenue increase compared to previous administration's output); City Square (latest findings of the technical working group); youth and sports development (city athlete's feats); and computerization (facial biometric machines, computerized tax declaration and billing), among other major concerns. “Prior the state of the city address, Governor Edgar Chatto will lead in the awarding of outstanding and exemplary individuals in the city and in the province who have made a big difference in our society,” Borja said.

Among those who will be recognized on Tuesday are (service awardees): Alfonso B. Arado; Concordia A. Carreon; Anatolio O. Coto Jr.; Carlito T. Fullido; Maximo G. Gida; Jesusa B. Ibañez; Medina D. Inting; Josephine Z. Lapac; Teresita T. Lodripas; Rio G. Maslog; Victor B. Tudtud; Alexander C. Casinillo; Servando A. Acedo; Fe B. Almiñe; Carmelita S. Beldoro; Candelaria J. Magpayo; Francisca O. Requillo; Livio K. Sarabia; Maria M. Gonzales; Maria Zenona O. Lerias; Agueda C. Luzon; Veronica G. Magasin; Edwin J. Mandin; and Mansueta K. Sale. City Treasurer Primitiva Ontong will receive the Employee Achievement Award. Honesty Awards will be given to Wilson Bon; Romeo C. Gocotano; Estelito T. Alam; and Henry B. Cambangay. City Hall has disclosed the following awards ATHLETE OF THE YEAR AWARD (LLOYD JABEZ ANTOQUE and ELIEN ROSE PEREZ); The HUMANITARIAN AWARD (Mariano Uy); and CENTENARIAN AWARD (LUISA E. CALAMBA-103 YRS OLD and FELICIANO Z. PELIAS -101).

Plaques of commendation will be given to 20 law enforces, including city PNP chief PSupt. JOVITO MATI-ONG ATANACIO; PSINSP ADRIANO U BACUS; SPO4 BARTOLOME A UDTOHAN; SPO3 YOLANDO B BAGOTCHAY; SPO3 LUCIANO A FUENTES; SPO2 MENELEO C SEVILLA; SPO1 PATRICK E KIBIR; PO3 DANILO U MASA; PO3 AGOSTO CESARIO L SUMAYLO; PO3 SANDRO U TANDUGON; PO2 IGNACIO G INOJALES; PO2 FIONA MAE K LAGUMBAY; PO2 RICHIE P LOVETE; PO2 TRISTAN B MAGTABOG; PO2 MAX DEXTER C BACOLOT; PO1 WANIE A DOTILLOS; PO1 ALSAN L FORNOLLES; PO1 BART C PAREDES; PO1 CRESCENCIO G PANTINOPLE JR; and PO1 PROCESO A PARAGOSO JR.

Plaque of appreciation will be given to Fernando Borja while Dr. Kazan Benigno Baluyot will receive a plaque of recognition. For its outstanding community service, Chocolate Hills Amateur Radio League Inc. (CHARL); Telephone and Radio System Integrated Emergency Response 117 (TARSIER 117); Bureau of Fire and Protection –Province; Bureau of Fire and Protection- City Fire Department; Philippine National Red Cross; and BOHOL PADDLERS, INC. For outstanding public service award in the field of mass media, the Bohol Chronicle Radio Corporation will be honored.

Outstanding public servants are PNP Provincial Director Col. Dennis Palo Agustin; CA Justice Gabriel Ingles; and school principal Concepcion Tubal. Loy Palapos will get the outstanding civic leadership award while Francisca Baluyot, Dr. Luther Ramiro and his wife Dinah will be awarded for Meritorious Service. Luisa Lim Ong will be this year's Mother of the Year. Family of the year is given to HUAN LIP SIOK AND FAMILY, and the couple of the year award will go to JUDGE PABLO MAGDOZA and MARGARITA APALISOK MAGDOZA. Bishop Leonardo Medroso will be formally declared as the “Adopted Son of Tagbilaran. Two businesses – Du Ek Sam and First Consolidated Bank – will be awarded for Business Achievement.