The Senate approved on second reading the proposed Bacolod City Charter Day bill.
Councilor Caesar Distrito, chairperson of the City Council committee on laws, said on Thursday, September 6, that Senators Juan Miguel Zubiri and Paolo Benigno Aquino IV informed him on Wednesday, September 5, they amended House Bill (HB) No. 7044 declaring June 18 as Bacolod City’s Charter Day and recognized the city’s inauguration will be commemorated every October 19, and the MassKara Festival every fourth Sunday of October.
“We are happy that the Senate had acted upon declaring June 18 as a holiday at the same time Charter Day,” he said.
The bill was filed by Congressman Greg Gasataya on June 13, 2017, upon the request of Mayor Evelio Leonardia.
Distrito said that those who opposed the passage of the bill were already given a chance to air their sides.
“The Senate unanimously approved the bill on second reading and we expect it will be approved on third and final reading on Monday,” he said.
‘Win-win solution’
Zubiri, in a press statement, stated he proposed a win-win solution for the holidays in Bacolod City.
The senator encouraged the observance of three distinct celebrations in the city such as the Bacolod City Charter Day as a non-working holiday, inauguration day, and the Masskara Festival.
“Three celebrations instead of just two will give Bacolodnons more opportunities to highlight their cityhood, history, and culture. I propose to amend HB 7044 which sets June 18 of every year as the city’s charter day by providing for two other events: first, commemorating the city’s inauguration every October 19, and, second, adhering to the tradition of holding the Masskara Festival every fourth Sunday of October,” Zubiri said.
Zubiri’s “win-win solution” came following the differing opinions among local officials over the significant events in the city’s history.
“I understand that the differing opinions find support from the city’s rich history. They all raise valid points. The Supreme Court has in the case of Mejia v. Balolong (GR No. L-1925, 16 September 1948) declared that the charter day is based on the date of the signing of the law or charter creating the local government unit (LGU). In the case of Bacolod City, Commonwealth Act No. 326 was signed by then president Manuel Quezon on June 18. In order to preserve tradition and recognize history, however, we welcome the commemoration and celebration of these three important dates. The same is being practiced in our province of Bukidnon. We commemorate our foundation day on the first day of September and celebrate the Kaamulan Festival in March of every year,” Zubiri said.
Former Bacolod mayor Monico Puentevella had earlier said he is expecting that the Senate will not approve the bill.
Puentevella said he aired his opposition to change the city’s history several times.
He said the proponents failed to conduct a public hearing and in the previous years, the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) also denied the request to change the city’s charter day.
Puentevella along with Councilor Wilson Gamboa had earlier attended the plenary session of the Senate to air their oppositions on the said bill.