CELEBRATING 20 years with hope, gratitude and perseverance.

The City of San Fernando, the capital city of the province of Pampanga, celebrated February 4 its 20th cityhood anniversary through a thanksgiving mass officiated by Archbishop Most Reverend Florentino Lavarias at Metropolitan Cathedral.

Mayor Edwin “EdSa” Santiago, together with Vice Mayor Jimmy Lazatin and city department heads, attended the Eucharistic celebration.

In his message, Santiago thanked all the people who gave their best efforts for the ratification of Republic Act No. 8990, which gave way for San Fernando to become the 99th city of the Philippines on February 4, 2001.

“Ang inyo pong ginawa noon upang maging Siyudad ang San Fernando ay ating ipinagdiriwang ngayon. At bilang pasasalamat, patuloy po nating inaabot ang excellence. We have our greatest present leaders now and we have also our greatest present employees now,” said Santiago.

Santiago said despite the pandemic, the local government is still grateful because of the support and unity of the Fernandinos.

“Year 2020 is very challenging for all of us, pero nalampasan po natin ito dito sa siyudad. Why? Dahil sa suporta at tiwalang ibinibigay ng publiko sa atin. Ipinadama po natin sa kanila na may gobyerno po silang malalapitan at masasandalan. And with that, we are very thankful and grateful dahil kahit gaano man kahirap ang ating sitwasyon, unti-unti ay napagtatagumpayan po natin ito sa bawat araw na lumilipas,” Santiago added.

The city mayor vowed that the local government will continue to achieve its vision to become a model and smart city by strengthening its programs and initiatives which will be truly beneficial to the public.

“We will continue. Itutuloy lang natin kung ano ang tama. Itutuloy lang natin yung mga magandang nasimulan natin at mas lalo pa nating paiigtingin ang ating mga adhikain at pagpaplano para po sa ating mga susunod na henerasyon,” Santiago ended. (PR)