Outstanding individuals and institutions who have contributed to the progress of Dagupan received fitting recognition during the Malincor Awards on June 20 at the People’s Park.

Now on its 3rd year, the Malincor Awards of Excellence is part of the 59th celebration of Agew na Dagupan, which centers on the theme, “Fusion in Unison Towards a Clean, Peaceful, Progressive and Healthy Dagupan City.”

“The Malincor Awards seek to recognize and honor the most outstanding individuals and institutions which have excelled in various fields of discipline and made contributions to the city of Dagupan and its people,” said city health officer Dr. Leonard Carbonell, this year’s Agew na Dagupan executive chairman.

The Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (PLDT-Dagupan) was awarded “most outstanding communication and information technology company,” while Dagupan Doctors Villaflor Memorial Hospital obtained the “most outstanding health care facilities” award.

The University of Luzon was the “most outstanding educational institution” awardee and RLL group of Jollibee stores obtained the award for the “most outstanding trading and commercial institution.”

A Malincor Award of Excellence for Public Service (posthumous) was also conferred to those whose legacy to Dagupan lives on.

The awardees included: Atty. Luis F. Samson, Sr., founder-president of University of Luzon; Bernabe Dy, Sr., 2000-2002 president of the Pangasinan Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce, Inc; Engr. Silverio Coquia, former Waterworks superintendent and former general manager of the Dagupan City Water District; Alfredo D. Sta. Maria, former city councilor; Florencio Victorio, former punong barangay of Pugaro; and Miguel Caguioa, former city fiscal and city councilor.

Councilors Alex de Venecia and Nicanor Aquino also received special awards in grateful cognizance of their outstanding leadership and stewardship during the City Fiesta 2005 and Bangus Festival 2006, respectively. (Sunshine D. Robles)