THIS coming Tuesday, June 20, has been declared a special non-working holiday as Dagupan City commemorates its 70th anniversary as a chartered city.
By authority of President Rodrigo Duterte, Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea signed on May 30 Proclamation No. 219 giving the people of Dagupan City the full opportunity to celebrate and participate in the occasion marking the city’s 70th year anniversary with appropriate ceremonies.
Dagupan City was made a charter city by virtue of Republic Act 170 authored by then House Speaker Eugenio Perez which was signed into law by then President Manuel Roxas on June 20, 1947.
Founded by the Agustinians, Dagupan used to be a vast swamp land by the Lingayen Gulf and was first named Bagnotan. Its name was changed to Dagupan after a local patriot Don Andres Malong rallied all Pangasinenses to gather in the place in an uprising against Spain, and called it "Nandaragupan".
Mayor Belen Fernandez will lead the celebration with the theme “Dagupan Pitoran Dekada La: Karuman, Natan, Nabuas (Translation: 7th Decade of Dagupan: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow).”
Several meaningful activities have been lined up by the City Government to mark the city's platinum year, among them the handling of awards to outstanding Dagupenos in a program called "Pinablin Dagupeño" during a gala night on June 20 at the CSI Stadia.
The others are Platinum memoirs of Dagupan Contest, Display of the Seven Decade Timeline Tarps of Dagupan City, songwriting contest, "Kakanen" Trade Fair or display of the local products and delicacies, Search for 70-year-old Dagupeños, Young City Officials Leadership Training, "Aninaw" or writing workshop on poetry, short film making contest, Fun Run), Dagupan History Quiz Bee, visual and theater arts workshop, garden mass wedding, Platinum Parade, Unity Singing, search for platinum baby, gala night, and Chess Summit.
Dagupan is the only independent component city of Pangasinan and in Ilocos Region.
A thanksgiving mass with a floral offering in front of the bust of the Speaker Eugenio Perez located on Herrero-Perez will be held to culminate the celebration. (PNA)