Tagbilaran will be turning 50 years as a chartered city on Friday with fitting program and ceremonies.
It will be a historic occasion for the City of Tagbilaran with its newly-elected city officials, led by City Mayor John Geesnell “Baba†Yap and Vice Mayor Jose Antonio Veloso, to be installed at the newly-rehabilitated City Hall on the eve of its golden Charter Day anniversary.
The day prior the celebration, the blessing and inauguration of the City Hall building and premises will be led by Rev. Fr. Valentino Pinlac, together with the city officials and employees; after which, the newly-elected officials will take their oath of office.
July 1 is a non-working special public holiday for the City of Tagbilaran. Fifty years ago, the once sleepy town of Tagbilaran became a chartered city by virtue of Republic Act No. 4660 signed into law by the late President Marcos and which took effect on July 1, 1966 during the incumbency of Tagbilaran Mayor Venancio  Inting.
The city’s golden Charter Day anniversary on Friday, July 1, 2016, will be ushered in with the usual diana all over the city at 4:00 o’clock dawn. A Holy Mass at the St. Joseph’s Cathedral will be concelebrated in the morning to be attended by the City Government officials and employees. It will be highlighted with the symbolic offerings coming from the 15 barangays and various sectors.
After the mass, a tricycle parade will take place from the Cathedral area to the City Hall, participated in by units that were operational for the past 50 years as per records from the city’s Business Permits and Licensing Office under Mr. Samuel Belderol. Upon arrival, an exhibit dubbed as “Tagbilaran sa Kahangturan†will be launched at the City Hall Atrium.
Organized in collaboration with Holy Name University, the exhibit is conceptualized by HNU Cultural Affairs Director Marianito Luspo and will present a graphic display of Tagbilaran’s past and present to mark the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the city’s Charter. It aims to capture the spirit of Tagbilaran through the years via pictures, text narratives and iconic objects. The exhibit will also provide information and factual reference for the citizens of Tagbilaran, especially the young generation.
After the exhibit’s opening, the turn-over ceremony of the 50th Charter Day Commemorative Stamp will be done with Postmaster General Honorable Joel Otarra in attendance.
In the afternoon of July 1, the City of Tagbilaran will pay tribute to its elected officials, from the 1960s to the present as it also gives recognition to business establishments who helped shaped the economic landscape of Tagbilaran turning it to the vibrant city that it has become today.The day’s festivities will be capped with hope and optimism for the coming years as newly re-elected Tagbilaran City Mayor John Geesnell “BABA†Yap will deliver his Charter Day Address.