The Cebu City government recently gave one of its highest honors to Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Roy A. Cimatu for coming to the city's aid during a desperate time in its fight against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Cimatu was conferred the Order of Rajah Humabon award during the 123rd Philippine Independence Day celebration on June 12 at Citadines, Cebu City.
Acting Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama personally handed over to the DENR chief a plaque of recognition, which cited the latter's "exemplary level of leadership, service, love, and care for the Cebuanos".
It was June 2020 when President Duterte tapped Cimatu to oversee the COVD-19 situation in Cebu. At that time, Cebu was considered the "second epicenter” of the pandemic in the country, next to Metro Manila.
Reports said that the Order of Rajah Humabon was supposed to have been conferred to Cimatu last February 24 during the city’s celebration of its 84th Charter Day, but it didn't push through.
To recall, the DENR chief's wife, Fe Aguillon-Cimatu, passed away on February 20.
Cimatu is a former chief-of-staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).