Bacolod City set for longer weekend with 86th Charter Day celebration

BACOLOD CITY – Residents in this city will have an extended weekend as June 18 is a special non-working holiday to mark the 86th Charter Day of Bacolod, a day after the observance of Eid al-Adha, or the “Feast of Sacrifice” on June 17, a regular holiday.

The celebration is part of the Days of Reminiscence or “Mga Adlaw Sang Paghanduraw” commemorated by the people of Bacolod from June 12 to 20 every year.

“We invite all Bacolodnons to participate in the various activities connected to these days. Join us in honoring our history and celebrating our freedom,” Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez said in a statement.

The “Bacolod City Charter Day” commemorates the signing and approval of Commonwealth Act No. 326, creating the City of Bacolod by then President Manuel L. Quezon.

It became official after former President Rodrigo Duterte signed Republic Act (RA) No. 11146, declaring June 18, 1938 as the day Bacolod was born.

The new law corrected RA 7724, initially setting Oct. 19 as the Bacolod City Charter Day, which instead was the inauguration of the first city officials attended by Quezon.

Activities during the 86th Charter Day will include a civic-military parade and awarding ceremonies for outstanding employees, business, and real property taxpayers, as well as recipients of the “Ang Banwahanon Award” and “I'll Be the Change Award.”

In the evening, 15 contingents will perform in the barangay festival dance competition at the Bacolod City Government Center grounds.

On June 19, the city government will also commemorate the 163rd birth anniversary of Dr. Jose Rizal at the Rizal Elementary School mini-park. (PNA)