Catbalogan to celebrate cityhood on June 16

CATBALOGAN CITY, June 10 (PNA) -- The city government here has lined up several activities to celebrate its cityhood on June 16, 2016.

The 9th charter day is anchored on the theme “Capacitating our people, collaborating our Strength, continuing our legacy, commemorating our struggles and celebrating our milestone.”

On June 15, the Public Employment Service Office (PESO) in coordination with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)m regional office will host a job fair at the city’s plaza from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., offering more than 2,000 local and overseas jobs.

In the evening, a five-kilometer fun run dubbed as ISKOLARUN will be held to raise fund for scholarship of underprivileged students of the city.

On June 16, a charter day thanksgiving mass and charter day parade will be held in the afternoon. It will be followed by a benefit concert in partnership with the Samar Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) for the quadri-centennial activities with Aegis band as quest performer.

The city government will also launch the Captivating Catbalogan Center, which will house the Tourism Office, Negosyo Center, Pasalubong Center, and mini-museum for the celebration of Quadri-centennial Anniversary of Catbalogan.

The city government will also launch the “Trisikol tour” which will offer tourist a short scenic city tour on board Catbalogan’s tricycle.

Catbalogan City’s pride, Tessie Tomas will also start the shooting of a documentary “Cuatro Cientos,” a documentary telling the life the city for 400 years. This documentary will be shown during the city fiesta celebration in August.

“It may just be our ninth year as city, but what we are now is 400 years in the making being Samar Island’s capital,” said Mayor Stepahy Uy-Tan.

“We are inviting everyone to visit Catbalogan and join us in this annual celebration. Feel our local beat, feed your curiosity, fuel your passion, free your soul and find the Catbaloganon in you,” she added.

Catbalogan, the capital of Samar province, attained its cityhood status on March 15, 2007 under Republic Act No. 9391, but was later reverted back to its municipal status after Supreme Court voted 6-5, granting the petition filed by members of the League of Cities of the Philippines to declare the cityhood law as unconstitutional.

But on December 22, 2009, Catbalogan and 15 other municipalities in the country regained their cityhood status after the Supreme Court reversed itsearlier decision. (PNA)

PGL/SQM/ROEL T. AMAZONA/EGR