By Hilda Austria/Philippine News Agency
DAGUPAN CITY — Malacañang has issued Proclamation 743 declaring June 20 as a special non-working day in this city in celebration of its 72nd Charter Anniversary.
“It is but fitting and proper that the city of Dagupan be given full opportunity to celebrate and participate in the occasion with appropriate ceremonies,” read the proclamation signed on behalf of the President by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea.
In her Facebook post dated June 17, outgoing Mayor Belen Fernandez said: “As we commemorate our 72nd Charter Anniversary, I stand before you today fully committed to uphold the progress of our city –not only as your outgoing mayor, but as a Dagupeño who truly cares about your welfare. This pledge I make before you is not mine alone, but ours together. We are one people, united by one vision and one set of principles. Our fate as a city and our continued excellence rests not upon one individual, but upon all of us.”
She urged every Dagupeño to continue upholding the progress of the city in the coming years.
“There are very few cities that have had the kind of remarkable recovery that we have had. More than merely recovering, however, we have developed, excelled, and established ourselves as a City of Champions. Indeed, from our humble beginnings in 1947 to showing the world the true meaning of Balon Dagupan, it is clear that leadership has been the hallmark in the rise of Dagupan City,” Fernandez added.
On Thursday, a mass will be held at the Eugenio Perez Shrine to be followed by wreath-laying in honor of Perez, and a commemorative program.
Perez, who was then Speaker of the House of Representatives, authored Republic Act 170 and signed into law by President Manuel Roxas in June 20, 1947, making Dagupan a chartered city.
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