THE City Government of Zamboanga honored Wednesday, May 18, 2022, General Vicente Alvarez, the Zamboangueño hero who led the fight for sovereignty resulting to the surrender of Spanish forces led by Governor General Diego de los Rios on May 18, 1899 at the Fort Pilar in the city.

Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar together with Vice Mayor Rommel Agan, Councilor Vincent Paul Elago, and the Alvarez family led the commemoration activities held at Plaza Vicente Alvarez (former Plaza Roma) situated at the Corner of Don Pablo Lorenzo, Zaragoza, and Alvarez Street, earlier Wednesday.

The Dia de General Vicente Alvarez, is an annual observance in honor of General Vicente Alvarez and is institutionalized through City Ordinance 334.

Salazar said that the observance of the Dia de General Alvarez is intended to drum up awareness on the contributions and heroism of Alvarez which led to the declaration of Philippine Independence on June 12, 1899.

The program honoring Alvarez was highlighted by the wreath-laying rite. (SunStar Zamboanga)