Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog called for unity to achieve the Ilonggos’ dream of making this city a globally competitive one.
Mabilog, together with other city officials, led the opening parade Monday morning that marked the start of the more-than-a-month-long celebration of Iloilo City’s 80th Charter Day anniversary.
In his message, Mabilog underscored the progress of the city in the past 80 years.
“For 80 years, we have seen the significant, meaningful, beautiful, peaceful and progressive changes that had happened in the city of Iloilo,” Mabilog said.
But he said there are still many things to be done to continue the development here.
He called for the unity, cooperation, participation and collaboration of every Ilonggo “to reach our dreams of becoming a premier SMART City of Excellence.”
SMART stands for Services, Manufacturing and agri-business, Arts and culture, Research, and Technology and tourism – the city’s potential areas.
“Much has to be done, but our strong commitment to dedication and good governance and exemplary public service will be our greatest contributions to the sustained developments of our city,” he said.
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As the city celebrates its 80th Charter Day, Mabilog expressed hopes to provide opportunities to the poor to raise their standard of living.
“The impoverished who have no opportunity in the city, we will give them opportunity so that every family will be improved,” Mabilog said.
Mabilog called on the public to do their share in making the city peaceful, disaster-resilient and disaster-prepared.
“Let us help shape intelligent youth by supporting our educators,” he said.
“Through the political will to do what is morally right rather than what is politically correct, I am quite sure that our beloved city and the Ilonggos have nowhere to go but up,” he stressed.
Meanwhile, the City Tourism and Development Office has lined up several activities in line with the celebration including Pulong-Pulong on Real Property Taxation and
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Coastal Clean-up Drive on August 11 and 12, respectively. Mabilog encouraged the public to avail of the CHO’s services which include the Blood Sugar Screening, Blood Pressure Readings, Screening for Hypertension, Cholesterol Testing, Healthy Lifestyle Counseling, Medical Consultation, Distribution of Initial Treatment Packs, Video Presentation on Non Communicable Revertion, Blood Letting, Distribution of Eyeglasses for recipients, and Bulk Sampling for Diabetic cases on August 15 at Robinson’s Activity Center from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
On August 17, the CTDO will hold a poster making and essay writing contests while on August 19, the city government will hold the the 80th Charter Day Inter-School Age Group Chess Tournament which will be held at Robinson’s Jaro, and Dragon Boat Race at Esplanade.
The Binalaybay contest is on August 20 while the 80th Charter Day Endurance Run, 80th Charter Day Inter-Public School Arniz Tournament, 2 Days General Coaching Course for Basketball is on August 20 to 21.
The Department of Trade and Industry will hold a Charter Day Diskwento Sale from August 21 to 27.
The De La Salle University Green Archer’s Game Clinic will be held from August 21 to 23 at Iloilo Sports Complex Gym.
The Vice Mayor’s Debate Cup is on August 22,23, and 25 to be held at Iloilo City Hall.
The city government will also honor the Top 50 Taxpayer’s in the metropolis on August 23 to 24 at Grand Xing Hotel.
The 80th Charter Day Neon Lights Night Run, Mangrove Planting, Launching Gulayan sa Paaralan, Library for every Juan, 80 couples mass wedding, Mayor’s Ball and Job Fair is on August 24.
The Open Air Cinema-Hiligaynon Movies, Sara Geronimo Concert, Danzz Dish XII: Ethereal is on August 25. The Charter Day Parade is also scheduled on August 25.
The Iloilo City Sports Divison will lead the 80th Charter Day Shoot Fest on August 25 to 27 at Iloilo Gun Club while the Philharmonic Orchestra will perform at the Iloilo Convention Center on August 26. [By Maricyn A. De los Santos, PNA | Photo by Randy Javier Fadrigo]