AS it was their family’s tradition, Gov. Aurora Cerilles celebrated her 60th birthday last Sept. 17 with the less fortunate children at the Kaabag Center in Sto. Niño and the Home for Children in Dao.
Zamboanga del Sur is known as a child-friendly province which dedicated time and effort to improving the lives of children by creating neighborhoods and places that honor and respect them and support families.
Because of this, Cerilles established the Kaabag Center and the Home for the Youth as charity homes for abandoned girls and boys where some are known to have been in conflict with the law.
These little angels are known as the neglected, abandoned and abused children who are all under the care of Conchita San Diego of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office.
It was learned that the Cerilles family has made it a tradition to celebrate their birthdays with these children.
Early morning of Sept. 17, Cerilles was greeted with a serenade of birthday mañanitas by employees of the Capitol and those in the various regional and provincial offices.
Later in the day, the governor sent packed lunches to the inmates at the Provincial Jail in San Jose District. In token for her gift, the inmates there did a dance presentation for Cerilles, videotaped by the media.
Cerilles will complete her term as governor in June 2010.
She said she wants to be remembered by her constituents when she bows out of public service in June next year as the feisty and project-oriented leader.
During her last State of the Province Address (SOPA) delivered at the night of her birthday, she highlighted on her achievements in infrastructure and tourism development, her advocacy of a healthy lifestyle and the gains of her campaign against illegal drugs.
In fact, the 57th Provincial Anniversary theme was outlined from Cerilles’ achievements throughout the years, which goes: “Lig-ong Pangagamhanan: Tuburan sa Kalambuan, Legasiya sa Kasamtangang Pamunuan.”
Since her first term in 2001, the governor’s Seven-Point Executive Agenda has always been focused on infrastructure, health, education, social services, peace and order, environmental protection and conservation, agriculture and livelihood.
REPORT BY REMAI ALEJADO