Published December 11, 2020, 6:48 PM
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Friday conferred six of its personnel with two of the highest Presidential awards – the Gawad Mabini and Order of Sikatuna in recognition of their exemplary service to the people and nation.
The late Philippine Ambassador to Lebanon Bernardita L. Catalla was conferred posthumously with the Order of Sikatuna, with the Rank of Datu, Gold Distinction for her work in defending the rights of Filipino workers.
While serving as Consul General to Hong Kong between 2014-2017, Catalla actively sided with rights groups in the fight to keep domestic workers from cleaning windows in high-rise buildings, which had resulted in several deaths. The Hong Kong government eventually introduced the ban in 2016. Well-respected by her peers, Catalla served, with distinction, for 27 years in the Foreign Service. She died due to COVID-19 complications at a hospital in Beirut in April 2020.