GENERAL SANTOS CITY–The city government will honor the city’s “founding fathers and pioneers” as it celebrates its 50th charter anniversary on Friday, June 15.
City Mayor Ronnel Rivera said Thursday the local government will give a special tribute to the late Rep. James Chiongbian and other personalities who helped build the city and steered its development in the past few decades.
“It’s only fitting to recognize their efforts and sacrifices to ensure that the city will progress and develop to its potentials,” he said.
Chiongbian was the principal author of Republic Act 5412 approved on June 15, 1968 that converted the then municipality of General Santos into a city.
His descendants, that include incumbent Sarangani Gov. Steve Chiongbian Solon, will receive the posthumous recognition during the golden anniversary ball.
Leonard Flores, chief of the City Economic Management and Cooperatives Development Office, said the 50th city charter anniversary celebration will start with a grand civic parade on Friday morning.
Flores said it will be joined by city officials and employees, students, teachers, barangay officials, personnel from various national government offices as well as private companies and civic groups.
The parade will also be participated by pioneers and descendants of Gen. Paulino Santos and 50 horse riders to symbolize the city’s journey in the last 50 years.
It will make a brief stop at Plaza ng Heneral Santos for the offering of wreath at the statue and tomb Gen. Santos and will then proceed to the Oval Plaza for the flag-raising ceremony, where the flags of the Philippines and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations will be hoisted.
Flores said the local government has invited other local and national officials, including Senator Emmanuel Pacquiao, to grace the charter anniversary activities.
Malacanang earlier declared June 15 as a special non-working day in the entire city in line with the celebration.
This is the second time since last year that the city will celebrate its charter anniversary on June 15.
The city used to celebrate its charter day every Sept. 5 or the date of its inauguration in 1968 by then President Ferdinand Marcos.
Last year, the local government passed a law changing the anniversary date to June 15, the day the city’s charter was approved and signed into law. (PNA)
