Qala Mayor Paul Buttigieg has been awarded the Midalja ghall-Qadi tar-Repubblika by President George Vella in this years Republic Day honours.

Malta marks Republic Day today, the 49th since becoming a Republic, when Malta no longer had a foreign Head of State, as it ceased to be under the sovereignty of the British monarch.

On the 13th December 1974 the Maltese Constitution was amended and Malta became a Republic, with Sir Anthony Mamo as its first President.

President George Vella, on behalf of the Government and people of Malta, has paid public tribute to a number of Maltese citizens who distinguish themselves in different fields of endeavour, during an investiture held at the Palace.

The President appointed seven members to The National Order of Merit. Ten other individuals were awarded the Midalja ghall-Qadi tar-Repubblika.Paul Buttigieg was born in Qala in 1963. He is a professional carpenter and was elected to the Qala Local Council in 2017 on behalf of Partit Laburista, where he has served as mayor ever since.

Buttigieg has been involved for over 20 years in campaigns concerning environmental protection and its enjoyment by the citizens, in his hometown and other parts of the country.

He is best known for his fight to save Hondoq ir-Rummien, for which he earned the nickname Pawlu ta’ Hondoq.’

Buttigieg’s activism resulted in a 22-year long battle against a massive development which was proposed for this zone.

This saga recently culminated in the final rejection of the appeal by the developers of the project by the Court of Appeal.

Buttigieg’s work saved Hondoq ir-Rummien for future generations and the area may continue to be enjoyed by Gozitans, Maltese and tourists alike for free.

Over the years, Buttigieg was also instrumental in other environmental campaigns where he campaigned successfully to save Tal-Marga valley, an important natural water source for local farmers, and a piece of pristine agricultural land at Ta’ Muxi on the outskirts of Qala.

Buttigieg also supports campaigns in other localities which are meant to protect the environment.

Awards

Nationals of other countries may be conferred with honorary membership of the Order or of the Xirka or awarded the Midalja ghall-Qadi tar-Repubblika on an honorary basis.

In rarer cases the Midalja ghall-Qlubija can be awarded, even posthumously, to a Maltese citizen for an act of exceptional bravery.

These appointments were made by means of a proposal by the Nominations Committee set up in accordance with the Gieh ir-Repubblika Act (Cap. 251) and on the advice of the Prime Minister to the President of Malta.

Photos: DOI/Matthew Cutajar Icam and DOI /Clifton Fenech

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