|
Monday, October 11, 2004
City marks anniversary sans fanfare, saves P2M
By Bong S. Sarmiento
KORONADAL CITY -- The local government celebrated its fourth year of cityhood Friday without much fanfare in response to the austerity calls earlier made by President Arroyo.
Unlike in the past three anniversaries marked by colorful parades, street dancing and other festive activities, this year's celebration was rather dull as it seemed just any another ordinary day in the lives of residents in this fledging city.
"No big celebrations really," commented bakery owner Dominga Valero.
Mayor Fernando Miguel said he cancelled the festival activities in response to Arroyo's call for austerity measures.
"There's no grandiose celebration this year so we can save money for more meaningful projects," he said.
The mayor said that in canceling the fun-filled activities this year, the local government saved P2 million outright.
A Holy Mass, though, marked the city's fourth anniversary in the morning.
Close to 500 poor residents were likewise given free medical and dental checkups sponsored by the City Government.
Classes in public schools were suspended, as well as the local government's work, following a Malacaņang directive declaring the cityhood anniversary a special non-working holiday.
Four years ago on Oct. 8, residents voted in a plebiscite to turn this former capital town into a component city of South Cotabato by vote of 15,916 to 723.
The cityhood of Koronadal was embodied in Republic Act 8803 signed by former President Joseph Estrada on Aug. 16, 2000.
RA 8803 was enacted when House Bill 6738, authored by then deputy speaker for Mindanao and South Cotabato District II representative and now Gov. Daisy Avance-Fuentes, was approved by Congress.
(October 11, 2004 issue)
Write letter to the editor.Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board.Click here. |
|
|
|
[return to top]
[home]
|
|
Robles told to name 'corrupt' officials