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The late Mayor Cesar Cortes Climaco has been conferredthe Rizal Award for nationalism, professional excellence and for promotion ofcivic competence and integrity during the culminating activity of Rizal@150 inCalamba, Laguna, June 19.

As this developed, House Deputy Speaker and District IRepresentative Beng Climaco, who is a niece of the late Mayor Climaco,expressed pride and elation over the award conferred by the National HistoricalCommission of the Philippines (NHCP).

“This is truly inspiring.The Rizal award only signifies CCC’s contribution to Zamboanga. We need notlook too far. We have our own Zamboangueno hero”, Cong.  Climaco said.

The late Climaco, who served as mayor of Zamboanga for 3 terms—1953 to 1954, 1956-1961 and 1980-1984, was astalwart of the opposition in the country and the symbol of the fight for thepreservation of the freedom of speech. At a time when few dared to speak upagainst President Marcos, Cesar would be the only one who could accuse Marcosof corruption an injustice in an open assembly and get away with it. He wasmurdered on November 14, 1984 while inspecting a fire scene in Gov. AlvarezAvenue. He was 68 years old when he died.

The posthumous award onthe late Mayor was one of the 3 awards conferred by the NHI during thecelebration of Jose Rizal’s 151st birthday last June 19. The twoother awardees were Dr. Paul Arvisu Dumol and the Metrobank Foundation.

In a statement issued bythe NHI, the agency said all three met the criteria set for the award namely,individuals and institution that have encouraged nationalism, professionalexcellence geared toward community and national development and promote civiccompetence and integrity.

The award for the latemayor was received by relatives of the Climaco family during rites held at theRizal Shrine in Calamba, Laguna.

Meanwhile, the DeputyHouse Speaker said renovation of the Climaco Freedom Park in Abong-abong is nowon going with the support and hep of various other agencies to help perpetuatethe memory of the late mayor Climaco.

A museum to showcase thegood deeds of the late mayor will be established at the Climaco Freedom Park tomake people remember of the goodness and contributions of the late MayorClimaco.

By Marvin Segura