RESIDENTS of Mabalacat City celebrated Tuesday, July 23, the conversion of their town from a first-class municipality into component city seven years ago.
Binibining Pilipinas Intercontinental Emma Tiglao came home to join the cityhood anniversary parade, which highlighted the celebration Wednesday morning, July 24.
Tiglao, who is the pride of Mabalacat and Pampanga, also won Best in National Costume and Miss Ever Bilena in the same contest. She will represent the country at the Miss Intercontinental Pageant in India later this year.
Mayor Crisostomo Garbo, together with other officials, led the celebration of the cityhood anniversary.
Garbo said his programs are anchored on the delivery of quality services to the people that are the real essence of the conversion of Mabalacat into a city.
"With our programs on health, feeding, financial assistance and others, our people will feel that there is a city government that cares for them," Garbo said.
City Planning and Development Officer Rosan Paquia, one of the officials who worked for the city's conversion into a city, said the local government, under Garbo's leadership, will implement more programs for the people particularly the marginalized sector.
"We will not rest on our laurels. With the added windfall after the cityhood, we will push for feasible programs under infra, social, health, education and other sectors and make all these be felt and seen by our kabalens. Legacy na ini," Paquia said.
President Benigno Aquino III signed in June 2012 Republic Act 10164, which declared Mabalacat as a component city after meeting all the requirements prescribed under the Local Government Code of 1991.
Former mayor Marino Morales pushed for the conversion of Mabalacat into Pampanga's third city.