443RD Founding Anniversary, Non-working holiday for Cebu Province

CEBU, Philippines - Today is a special non-working holiday in the entire Province of Cebu including the highly urbanized cities of Cebu and Lapu-Lapu as it celebrates the 443rd founding anniversary.

Republic Act 8952 provides that the holiday for private and public offices is to be enjoyed all over Cebu, including Cebu City and other component cities.

In 1993, a resolution was approved by the Provincial Board stating that Spain's King Philip II, in a royal cedula, appointed Miguel Lopez de Legazpi as Governor of Cebu on August 6, 1569.

A portion of the said PB resolution reads, "The appointment of Legazpi as governor and captain general, with definition of his duties and powers, as well as the existence of a de facto or emerging province could well mark the foundation, although loosely, of a Province of Cebu."

Earlier, there was a dispute over whether Cebu City, as a highly urbanized city, is covered by RA 7698, which declares a special non-working public holiday in the province every Aug. 6.

First district Rep. Eduardo Gullas introduced RA 8952 amending RA 7698 to include Cebu City in the declaration as well as other component cities which according to then governor, now Deputy Speaker Pablo Garcia put to rest all arguments.

Garcia earlier noted that it is in the charter of Cebu City that it is the capital of Cebu Province and it should, therefore, join the celebration of the province's founding anniversary.

At the Capitol today, the anniversary Mass will be held at 10 a.m. at the Social Hall to be attended by provincial officials and employees.

A program at 1:30 p.m. will follow where Governor Gwendolyn Garcia will deliver her message and make some announcements. 

The awarding of the best booth and winners of "Puso" Making and "Sinanduloy" Cooking contests will also be held during the program.

Tomorrow is the e-Gwen Partners Conference with the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. and the local government units will also be held.

The Festival Queen Competition will be on Aug. 8 and the Pasigarbo sa Sugbo Festival of Festivals street dancing and grand showdown competition will be on Aug. 11 at the CICC. On Aug. 9, there will be a Business Summit and on Aug. 10, the Obra Negosyo Eskwela Symposium will be held at the CICC.

The awarding of Pasigarbo and e-Gwen winners will be held on Aug. 13 also at the CICC.

There is also on-going One Cebu Expo until Aug. 13 at the CICC. — (FREEMAN)