Navotas marks 102nd anniversary

The city of Navotas, arguably still the country’s fishing capital, is all set to celebrate its 102nd founding anniversary today.

Navotas City Mayor Toby Tiangco, yesterday said the Navotas Day Celebration Committee has lined up a weeklong festivities that began Thursday last week and ends today.

The anniversary will be highlighted by the traditional Grand Parade around the city. The celebration has always been dubbed and known as the “Pangisdaan Festival”.

The theme for this year is “Taas noo, Navoteño, lungsod na tayo”.

Jan. 10 was marked by Pistang Kristiyano, an ecumenical service, tiangge, all at the Centennial Park, a jobs fair at the city hall grounds and a motorcade. Street dancing competition and drum and lyre competition were featured at the Centennial Park the next day.

Mutya ng Navotas 2008 Camille Ramos of Barangay San Roque and her court were crowned Sunday. Ramos’ prizes included P35,000 in cash and a trip for two to Hong Kong Disneyland.

Tiangco, on Monday, distributed Philhealth cards and launched the Navotas Hospitalization Program. An on-the-spot poster making contest, and the Battle of the Bands were also held. A mass wedding was highlighted by a fireworks display and variety show the next day.

The grand parade today will be participated in by all sectors of society and will be led by the city officials headed by Tiangco. “I still have grand plans for Navotas. I strongly believe that we can achieve our full potential for growth and development if we continue to pursue our dream for a better Navotas,” said Tiangco, Ten Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) for Community Service 2007 awardee.

Navotas used to be part of Malabon until it was declared a separate town in 1906. Today, Navotas is one of the 16 cities comprising the National Capital Region, has 14 barangays with a population of 265,000.

Navotas officially became a city in June 24 last year in a plebiscite. Navotas has received numerous awards and citations, making it one of the most competitive and productive local government units in the country.

During Tiangco’s term, Navotas won the Cleanest and Greenest Municipality Award in NCR in 2001, 2003, 2004; Best Peace and Order Council for three straight years (2003, 2004, 2005), Best Municipal Jail 2001, 2002; Best Municipal Police Station 2001, 2002, Best Anti-Drug Abuse Council in 2003, Outstanding LGU for Literacy Program in 2002 and Highest Apprehensions in CAMANAVA for drug-related cases.     – Jerry Botial