Antique prov'l board commends 12-year-old girl for heroic deed
MATEO (seventh from left). (FB)
SAN JOSE DE BUENAVISTA, Antique – The Antique Provincial Board on Monday awarded a 12-year-old girl with a certificate of commendation for helping save the lives of her fellow passengers on board the vessel that capsized in the sea of the municipality of Culasi on May 6.
Vice Gov. Genevive Lim-Reyes, during their regular session on Monday, said Cherry Ann Mateo performed a heroic deed when she swam for hours to seek help after their motorboat capsized due to strong waves.
Based on the resolution passed by the provincial board, Mateo swam for four hours from the site of the incident, between the shores of the island barangays of Mararison and Batbatan in the municipality of Culasi, before reaching Batbatan.
“I am happy that the provincial board gave me a commendation,” Mateo said.
Mateo was joined by her mother, Christy, and Batbatan Chairman Bobby Mateo in receiving the recognition.
The mother said that her daughter learned to swim as early as five-years-old and she never thought the skill could help save lives.
In addition to commendation, her family also received P10,000 financial assistance from the office of Antique Rep. Antonio Agapito Legarda. (PNA)