Malacanang declared Thursday, August 25, 2016 as a special non-working holiday in Iloilo City in celebration of the 79th anniversary of its declaration as a chartered city.
The declaration was signed July 19 by executive secretary Salvador Medialdea by authority of President Rodrigo R. Duterte.
The declaration will give the people of Iloilo City “full opportunity to celebrate and participate in the occasion with appropriate ceremonies” as stated in Proclamation No. 21.
Iloilo, as a chartered city, was formally inaugurated on Aug. 25, 1937 after the surrounding municipalities of La Paz, Mandurriao, Molo and Arevalo were merged with the progressive town of Iloilo on July 16, 1937, by virtue of Commonwealth Act No.158.
The Iloilo City government on July 15 kicked off its month-long series of activities to usher the celebration with a mass and a simple program.
The lineup of activities included the delivery of social services, such as dental mission, mass wedding, sports festivities, photo exhibit showing the city’s rich culture and heritage, recognition of outstanding employees, debate, oratorical, extemporaneous contests and quiz bee, among others.
A civic parade will be held in the morning of Aug. 25. The parade will gather the participation of city hall employees, national government agencies (NGAs), schools, non-government organizations (NGOs) and barangays.
Mayor Jed Patrick E. Mabilog first institutionalized the celebration on 2010, and it have been a major event in the city since then. [via PNA]
