Philippine Ambassador to Lebanon Bernardita M. Catalla died on Thursday from complications related to COVID-19, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. said he would nominate Catalla for the Gawad Mabini and Sikatuna.
“Not that she needs more honor than the profound regret and mourning of a grateful service, government, and I hope nation,” Locsin tweeted.
He said Ambassador Bernie Catalla’s remains will be received with an honor guard.
The Order of Sikatuna is the national order of diplomatic merit of the Philippines, conferred upon diplomats, officials and nationals of foreign states who have rendered conspicuous services in fostering, developing and strengthening relations between their country and the Philippines, or upon personnel of the DFA, both in the Home Office and in the Foreign Service.
It may be awarded by the Secretary of Foreign Affairs in the name and by authority of the President.
Gawad Mabini, on the other hand, is conferred upon Filipinos who have rendered distinguished service or promoted the interests of the Republic of the Philippines at home and abroad.
Ambassadro Catalla was a career diplomat for 27 years and had a distinguished Foreign Service career. She served in key posts like Kuala Lumpur and Jakarta and was Passport Director where she delivered frontline service to millions of Filipinos.
Prior to her assignment in Lebanon, she was Consul General in Hong Kong, looking over the welfare of hundreds of thousands of overseas Filipinos.
Since December 2019, she spearheaded the voluntary mass repatriation program of the Philippine Embassy in Beirut.
The DFA said “Bernie’, as Ambassador Catalla was fondly called, “has always lent a helping hand, to her family, friends and colleagues.”
“Her ever ready smile and infectious laughter may have been extinguished but her dedication to our country will always be there as a guiding light for all members of the Philippine foreign service.”