Iloilo City: Taxi driver Anthony Aguirre, 52, from Pavia town earned the admiration of the city government after returning a backpack containing PHP2.4 million in cash left behind by a passenger. Aguirre will be conferred the title Honorary Citizen of Iloilo City and rewarded with PHP20,000 cash. ‘His actions reflect the integrity and compassion of Ilonggos,’ Mayor Jerry Tre±as said in a statement on Monday.

According to Philippines News Agency, Aguirre transported the passenger on January 17 from a hotel to the Lapuz roll-on, roll-off wharf bound for Palawan province. The following day, his operator received a call from the Iloilo City Police Office-Lapuz Police Station regarding the missing bag. Upon checking his vehicle, Aguirre found the bag and promptly turned it over to authorities, with the money untouched.

‘Tony’s story is an inspiration,’ Tre±as said, emphasizing that honesty fosters trust and pride within the community.