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Wednesday, February 15, 2006
Long weekend next week, starting Feb. 24
Cebu City residents will enjoy a long weekend next week, as the City Government celebrates its 69th Charter Day anniversary.
A city official said only the program and awarding ceremony will be moved to Feb. 22, Wednesday, and that the holiday will still be on the 24th, Friday.
Glo’s sked
“We’re holding the activities and the program two days earlier because we have to adjust to the President’s schedule, but the Charter Day will still be on Feb. 24, and it will still be a holiday,” Councilor Augustus Pe Jr. said.
City Hall will declare President Arroyo “Anak sa Sugbo” during the Charter Day rites.
City Administrator Francisco Fernandez and City Hall information officer Nagiel Bañacia confirmed Pe’s statement, saying Feb. 22 will remain a regular working day.
Former president Cora-zon Aquino had signed Republic Act 7287, declaring Feb. 24 a special non-working day in Cebu City.
Under labor laws, an additional 30 percent will be paid as premium to those who will work on Feb. 24, which covers government and private sector employees in Cebu City only.
No classes
There will also be no classes in all public and private schools in the city during that day.
In a news conference, Vice Mayor Michael Rama said the City Council supports all the mayor’s plans for the Charter Day celebration, including the allocation of P3.4 million for the program expenses.
Rama said the production number and Charter Day program will be a good occasion to show National Government officials that Cebu is ready to host the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) summit in December.
If only to prepare for the Asean summit, Rama said he does not mind that the City will spend more than usual for the Charter Day activities, which will serve as the dress rehearsal for the summit.
“I think it’s only proper that we must spend for the Charter Day to make Manila aware that we don’t take things for granted here in Cebu, that we’re serious about accepting the challenge to host the Asean,” Rama said.
The City allocated P3.4 million for the lights and sounds, props and direction of a production number of dance troupes from 17 local universities.
At least P400,000 will also be spent for the television coverage of the awarding ceremony and production number, which will be aired live nationwide and in Asia, Australia, United States and the Middle East. (LCR)
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (February 15, 2006 issue)
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