Angeles vice mayor gets ‘Gawad Paglilingkod’ award (Sun.Star,Monday, November 05, 2007)

Angeles vice mayor gets ‘Gawad Paglilingkod’ award

By Ian Ocampo Flora

Angeles City--THE Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines-Episcopal Commission on Prison Pastoral Care (CBCP-ECPPC) has recognized the effort of Angeles City Vice Mayor Vicky Vega-Cabigting for her invaluable works in prison ministry.

Cabigting was awarded the “Gawad Paglilingkod Award” during the awarding ceremonies on Tuesday at the Sto. Rosario Parish Church in the city. Some other individuals were also recognized for their works. Archbishop Paciano Aniceto facilitated the awarding along with Rev. Fr. Jon Bartolome and Fr. Manny Contreras.

Bro. Gerard Ian Bernabe, national coordinator of the Volunteers in Prison Service (VIPS), said the award is given to volunteers who have rendered three years of “unwavering” help and support to the prison works of the church. The awarding ceremonies were also in observance of the 20th Prison Awareness.

“This is an award given by the CBCP and is only given to volunteers whose services have created an impact on inmates. This serves as a ‘pakunsuelo’ for their free work,” Bernabe said.

The Gawad Paglilingkod Award is only given once in a lifetime. Awardees are chosen based on recommendation of the area coordinator of the ECPPC. Awardees undergo a thorough a process of scrutiny and evaluation.

According to Cabigting, there is a lot to be done to safeguard the condition and welfare of prison inmates not just in Angeles City but in the whole region.

“We always tell our brother prisoners that there is always hope for them. Right now we are providing them legal consultation for their cases,” Cabigting said, adding that there is a continuing lobby to set up women’s dormitories for women prisoners.

Cabigting, an advocate of women’s rights, has been a constant visitor and volunteer for the various programs of the ECPPC. Weng Sibal, one of the coordinators of the VIPS of the archdiocese of San Fernando.

“The awards serve as an inspiration for us to do better,” she added.

Other awardees include Alejandro Buan (Angeles City), Elinita Tolentino (San Fernando), Joel Montoya (Angeles City), Crissologo Tuazon (Angeles City) and Josephina Yutuc (San Fernando).