DPWH Bicol chief, 13 more honored with first Gawad Oblation award

By Connie B. Destura LEGAZPI CITY --- Engineer Reynaldo G. Tagudando, director of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Bicol, was honored along with 13 others with the “Gawad Oblation,” a special award to those who gave “extraordinary support” to the University of the Philippines during the incumbency of outgoing UP President Alfredo Pascual. A post in social media said the awards, which were given for the first time, recognized UP alumni and friends for their “extraordinary service” in making “initiatives that have helped UP perform its leadership role in higher education and national development.” The university said “extraordinary service can be in as many different areas of university life, including alumni leadership and public service, exceptional teaching, research and extension work, creative production, efficient public and university administration, exceptional generosity and volunteerism, fund raising, and so forth.” Tagudando received the medal of recognition during the awarding ceremony at the UP-Professional Schools in Bonifacio Global City in Taguig City on the first week of February. The other first UP Oblation awardees were Senators Francis Escudero and Loren Legarda; Taguig Representative Pia Cayetano; former Senator Manny Villar, who is also the chairman of Vista Land and Lifescapes, Inc.; former DPWH Secretary Rogelio L. Singson; former Department of Budget and Management Secretary Florencio Abad; Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Chair Patricia Licuanan; businessmen Hans Sy, and Robinsons Retail Holdings president and chief operating officer Robina Gokongwei-Pe. Former UP Board of Regents member and Phinma vice chairman Magdaleno Albarracin; UP Engineering Research and Development Foundation president Alfonso Aliga Jr.; I.B. Gimenez Group of Companies president Ignacio Gimenez; and former DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson completed the roster of awardees. Tagudando started work as general construction foreman in DPWH, which was then the Bureau of Public Works, in 1980. Touted as the “highest honor UP can bestow upon its alumni and friends” the Oblation Award ceremony was headed by outgoing Pascual and UP Vice President for Public Affairs Edna Estifania Co.