![Mayor Evelio Leonardia, Councilor Simple Distrito, and Secretary to the Mayor Atty. Edward Joseph Cuansing lead the meeting at the Bacolod City Government Center yesterday [June 9] to prepare for the Bacolod celebration of the 122nd Philippine Independence Day on June 12./CITY PIO](http://media.assettype.com/sunstar%2Fimport%2Fuploads%2Fimages%2F2020%2F06%2F09%2F230912.jpg?w=480&auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=max)
IN THE light of Covid-19 global pandemic, the City of Bacolod has prepared a “simple celebration” for the 122nd Philippine Independence Day on Friday [June 12] at the Bacolod Public Plaza.
Mayor Evelio Leonardia said, “We are observing a simple celebration of the Independence Day this year so we can also observe minimum health protocols during the occasion.”
Rep. Greg Gasataya will be the guest of honor and speaker at the program.
Also attending the celebration are Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran, councilors, City Hall department, and office heads and employees, officials, or representatives of government agencies such as the Department of Education, Philippine National Police, Armed Forces of the Philippines, and war veterans.
This year’s theme is “Kalayaan 2020: Tungo sa Bansang Malaya, Nagbabayanihan, at Ligtas (Kalayaan 2020: Towards A Free, United, and Safe Nation).”
Councilor Simple Distrito chairs the Committee on the Bacolod Celebration of the 122nd Philippine Independence Day.
The program will start with a flag-raising ceremony. Councilor Renecito Novero will lead the prayer, while Councilor Archie Baribar will lead the Pledge of Loyalty to the Philippine Flag.
The DepEd Quartet will lead the singing of the Philippine National Anthem, Bacolod Hymn, and Nationalistic Song.
Gasataya, Leonardia, and Familiaran will lead city officials, war veterans, and guests at the wreath-laying ceremony at the Monument of the Unknown Soldier.
Also known as “Araw ng Kasarinlan (Day of Freedom),” this day commemorates the Philippine Declaration of Independence from Spain on June 12, 1898. PR