Navotas celebrates 101st anniversary

Navotas, the country’s fishing capital and the remaining local government in the highly urbanized Caloocan-Malabon-Navotas-Valenzuela (Camanava) area aspiring to be declared a city, celebrated its 101st founding anniversary yesterday.

The celebration, which started last week, ended yesterday bannering the theme "Angat Navotas sa Maunlad na Bukas," a new battle cry for the town, which Mayor Toby Tiangco said was "founded on discipline, good taste and excellence."

"I still have grand plans for the town. I strongly believe we can achieve our full potential for growth and development if we continue to pursue our dream for a better tomorrow," said Tiangco.

Navotas used to be part of Malabon until it was declared a separate town in 1906 during the American rule. Today, Navotas has 14 barangays with a population of 260,000 and working for cityhood.

The town has garnered several awards and citations from various governing bodies, including the Cleanest and Greenest Municipality Award for 2001, 2003 and 2004; Best Peace and Order Council for 2003 to 2005; Best Municipal Jail and Best Police Station in 2001-2002; Best Anti-Drug Abuse Council in 2003; and Outstanding LGU for Literacy Program and Highest Apprehensions in Camanava for Drug-related Cases in 2002.

The celebration for the Araw ng Navotas, also known as the Pangisdaan Festival, started last Jan. 10 with the inauguration of the Navotas Centennial Park Office on C-4 Road in Barangay Bagumbayan North.

This was followed by a job and trade fair, battle of the bands, street dancing and drum and bugle competition, medical and dental mission and coronation of the Mutya ng Navotas.

A family day was also held last Sunday as well as the distribution of the Navotas Hospitalization program identification cards to indigent residents. A grand parade capped the anniversary celebration at noon yesterday.