BACOLOD CITY – Filipino-Chinese tycoon Lucio L. Co has been named adopted son and honorary mayor here as the city celebrated the 19th Bacolaodiat Festival on Saturday, February 10.
CAMILLE Clarisse Co Lao (third from left) and husband, Michael Stephen Lao (second from left), accept a resolution from the Bacolod City Council headed by Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran (left) declaring Filipino-Chinese tycoon Lucio L. Co an adopted son of Bacolod and honorary mayor in the presence of Mayor Alfredo Abelardo ‘Albee’ Benitez (right) and the Bacolod Filipino-Chinese community at the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) session hall at the Bacolod City Government Center (BCGC) during the celebration of the Bacolaodiat Festival on Saturday, February 10. (Glazyl Masculino)
Co, represented by daughter Camille Clarisse Co Lao and husband, Michael Stephen Lao, was conferred the title in a special session of the City Council at the session hall at the Bacolod City Government Center (BCGC) here.
The City Council approved a resolution on January 10 declaring Co as an adopted son and conferring him the title honorary mayor of Bacolod City.
The resolution stated that Co, as chairman of S&R Membership Shopping, has played a pivotal role in investing in this city and the corporation’s investments contributed to economic growth and progress here.
“It is in this resolution that we express our recognition and regard to the goals and aspirations of Mr. Lucio L. Co by declaring him as an adopted son of Bacolod City,” it added.
Camille, on behalf of her father, signed an executive order constituting the Bacolod Arts and Culture Council at the Mayor’s Office in the presence of city officials led by Mayor Alfredo Abelardo “Albee” Benitez and members of the Filipino-Chinese community here.
A copy of the executive order will be sent to Co to enable him to personally sign the order.
Benitez thanked Camille for accepting the prestigious conferment on behalf of her father.
He recalled that this city has recognized significant people especially in the field of business since 2006 – Lucio Tan, John Gokongwei Jr., Henry Sy Sr., Jose Mari Chan, Dr. Andrew L. Tan, and Kevin Tan.
Benitez said that Co was unable to attend the event because he was unwell but said that he will visit the city once he recovers.
The mayor said that S&R Membership Shopping chaired by Co is expected to open here in March and generate many job opportunities for people here.
Michael thanked the city government for recognizing his father-in law.