BACOLOD CITY - The Negros Occidental provincial government will honor the healthcare workers, local government unit (LGU) response teams, and institutions who have played major roles in the province's fight against the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) in this year's Cinco de Noviembre rites. The list of the Outstanding Negrense awardees released on Thursday includes the Covid-19 response teams in all 31 cities and municipalities, Hospital Operations Department, Provincial Health Office, Provincial Disaster Management Program Division, Information and Communications Technology Division, and Mambukal Resort. Others include the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office, Philippine Army's 303rd Infantry Brigade, Bureau of Fire Protection, Philippine Coast Guard, and Philippine Red Cross Negros Occidental-Bacolod City Chapter. Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz II said Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson intends to recognize the collective efforts of the teams who were at the forefront of the local Covid-19 response this year. "Without team effort, it's really hard to defeat Covid-19. It's really in the team effort of these awardees...They are considered our heroes in Negros Occidental for their contribution to the health and well-being of every Negrense," he added. In the previous years, the Outstanding Negrense Awards were bestowed on individual recipients who have excelled and have been highly recognized in their respective fields. Republic Act 6709 declares every November 5 a special non-working holiday in Negros Occidental to mark the Negros Revolution against the Spanish colonizers on the same day in 1898. The 123rd Cinco de Noviembre, themed "Pasidungog sa mga Bag-o nga Baganihan (Tribute to the New Heroes)", will include a program in the morning at the Capitol Lagoon and Park and the awarding rites in the evening at the Capitol Social Hall. Last year, the provincial government did not hold a formal celebration of the Cinco de Noviembre, but the cities of Talisay, Silay, and Bago commemorated the event with various activities. (PNA) }