THE 60th Charter Day in Cagayan de Oro was celebrated with a long list of “thanks” by Mayor-elect Vicente Emano to outgoing mayor Constantino Jaraula.
In a simple activity Tuesday at the City Kiosk in Divisoria, Emano thanked Jaraula for doing a good job in running the city during his term as mayor.
He also thanked all those who remembered the Charter Day celebration, especially Pedro Baculio, who took the initiative in pushing for the city’s independence from Misamis Oriental before the Philippine congress in 1946, and the late Vice President Congressman Emmanuel Pelaez, who successfully passed Republic Act No. 54 or the Act Creating the City of Cagayan de Oro on December 1949, during the presidency of Elpidio Quirino.
Emano said if God would allow, he would like to commit himself to “be beside Jaraula as vice mayor” and work for the good of the city.
Emano, who won as mayor in the controversy-ridden May 10 elections, also called on those who did not win in the elections to accept the verdict of the people.
“It is time to heal all wounds, to work hand in hand for the improvement of the city,” he said.
Coinciding with the Charter Day celebration was the opening of the newly-renovated Amphitheater, formerly a pre-war market, which was eventually converted as the city’s prime location for different activities and even boxing bouts.
Jaraula vowed to finish the amphitheater before he steps down this month.
Emano also promised to continue whatever projects Jaraula has started, particularly the Golden Mile Boulevard and the legislative building. (Nicole J. Managbanag)