No work, no classes Mandaue celebrates Charter Day today

CEBU, Philippines - There won’t be work and classes today in Mandaue City after President Benigno Aquiino III declared it as a special non working holiday in view of the city’s 44th Charter Day Anniversary.

Proclamation No. 628, signed by Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa, Jr., by authority of the President, said that “it is but fitting and proper of the City of Mandaue to be given full opportunity to celebrate and participate in the occasion with appropriate ceremonies.”

Republic Act 5519 known as the “City Charter of Mandaue” was passed on June 21, 1960. A subsequent Proclamation No. 586 issued by then President Ferdinand Marcos designated August 30, 1969 as the date of the formal organization of the City of Mandaue.

Mayor Jonas Cortes earlier announced a Charter Day bonus of P10,000 for regular employees, P6,000 for job order employees, and P4,000 for clean and green and barangay health nutrition workers.

The city council headed by Vice Mayor Glenn Bercede also approved an enabling ordinance. A budget of P24 million was appropriated for this purpose.

More than 2,000 employees are expected to receive the bonus in the next pay day.

Supreme Court Associate Justice Jose Peres and court administrator Jose Midas Marquez confirmed their attendance in today’s celebration.

Perez will be the keynote speaker in the 8 pm awarding ceremony of outstanding employees at the Mandaue Sports Complex while Marquez will sign in behalf of the Supreme Court a deed of donation with Mayor Jonas Cortes at 2 pm at the Hall of Fame wherein the city will donate the lot at the back of the Hall of Justice for its expansion project.

Other highlight is the switch-on of the city’s modern traffic lights at corner A.S. Fortuna Street and highway Seno.

Yesterday the three-day food festival and trade fair opened at the city hall grounds.

A nightly activity at the Heritage Plaza started last Tuesday and ends tomorrow, Saturday. (FREEMAN)