By Nanette L. Guadacquiver
BACOLOD CITY, (PNA) – The Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) of this city has passed a resolution expressing highest appreciation to the two members from Negros Occidental of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) that won the Nobel Peace Prize for 2013.
The two are Franz Ontal from Victorias City, who heads the Inspector Training of the OPCW, and Criselda Javelosa Van Dasler, from Bacolod.
Together with nine other Filipinos in the OPCW, their group was awarded the highly prestigious Nobel Peace Prize.
OPCW is an organization supported by the United Nations and is considered to be an international chemical weapons watchdog that helps eliminate the Syrian army’s stockpiles of chemical weapons.
The SP noted that in 2005, Ontal began his service with the OPCW, first as a medic for the chemical weapons inspector and disposal teams, and later as head of inspector training for OPCW.
Ontal finished high school in 1980 and completed his Biology degree in 1985, both at La Salle College-Bacolod before migrating to New York, USA.
Javelosa Van Dasler has worked for OPCW since 2003, and became the personal assistant of the head of the Strategy and Policy Office.
The Norwegian Nobel Committee honored OPCW for its extensive efforts to eliminate chemical weapons and that it highlighted a cause, movement or process that will hopefully promote world peace.
“The efforts made by Franz Ontal and Criselda Javelosa Van Dasler are remarkable that it will truly inspire not just the ‘Bacolodnons’ or the ‘Negrosanons’ but also all other Filipinos,” the SP in the resolution authored by Councilor Caesar Distrito.
The resolution added that “the dedication of Ontal and Van Dasler in serving humanity is a great pride and honor to all Filipinos.”