The president of the Bacolod Real Estate Development Corp. declined the "Ang Banwahanon Award" that he was offered for the Charter Day program of Bacolod City, Primo Esleyer, one of the members of the board of judges, said yesterday.

Esleyer said BREDCO president Simplicio Palanca, who was confined in a hospital, declined to sign the form he gave for the award through the company's lawyer Jack Maalat before the Sept. 28 deadline. He told Maalat that Palanca, 87, has long deserved to be a Banwahanon awardee, Esleyer said.

"When you talk of the impact projects in Bacolod City, BREDCO is one of those that we need," he said. Maalat told him that for Palanca it is enough that he has done his best for the city, Esleyer said, and that he believes the award should be given to others.

Although he believes Palanca deserves to be given one, Esleyer expects that it may become controversial because one cannot please everybody.

Esleyer, on the other hand, said he was one of those who voted for Central Negros Electric Cooperative president Roberto Montelibano as one of the Ang Banwahanon awardees.

He said they based the selection on the impact of his life in the community.

Esleyer said they considered Montelibano's involvement in the MBCCI and other projects as basis for the selection

Councilor Roberto Rojas said Montelibano ranked number three based on his credentials and achievements.

The Board of Judges of the Ang Banwahanon Award include Fr. Mamerto Alfeche as chairman and Esleyer, Manny Jalandoni, Dr. Gil Octaviano, Rodolfo Parreño and Architect Manuel Puentevella as members.

Meanwhile, Rojas, chairman of the Ang Banwahanon Award, said he will propose to the Mayor the amendment of the Ordinance for the Ang Banwahanon Award to include all fields or sectors.

He said the amendment will include additional criteria in the selection of the awardees in preparation for the city's 70th Charter Day anniversary next year.*CGS

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