EDITORIAL - A leading force in national development

Today marks the 449th founding anniversary of the province of Cebu. As what has been the practice, government offices across the province will close and there will be no classes in both public and private schools today in honor of the celebrations.

Part of the month-long feast are the different events: Agro-fishery fair, Fiesta sa Kabataan, Family and Child Summit, International Youth Day, Farmer’s day, a job fair and other sporting activities. Also slated are the Emergency Responders' Congress and the first Renaissance Cebuana.

This year’s events are just a preview of what is expected to be the grandest anniversary celebration when the province marks the 450th year of its existence. Next year’s series of events will be special as the province inches closer to celebrate the 500th year of the country’s Christianization, which started in Cebu.

Historically and culturally rich, Cebu has come a long way. The province had already established its own independent identity long before the arrival of the Spanish colonizers whose religious influence virtually changed the landscape.

Now, Cebuanos are very proud of the fact that the province has evolved into a leading stakeholder in the country’s quest for economic progress. In fact, being the country’s richest province, Cebu has for decades been the hub of everything outside the capital Metro Manila.

However, being comfortably sitting on top does not always mean everything is already well in place. Cebu still has a long way to go in terms of sharing its wealth considering that there are still areas across the province that need the attention of the Capitol for them to economically prosper.

On account of the province’s founding anniversary celebrations today, Cebuanos hope that Cebu will continue to reap economic gains as it strives to further stamp its presence as the leading force in national development.