The bustling city of Tagbilaran marks its 50th year as a chartered city today.

Mayor John Gessnell Yap, during his inaugural message last night forecast the city to be one of the fastest growing cities south of Manila citing several major projects on line for implementation. He expressed confidence that the unity of the executive and legislative branch under Vice  Mayor Jose Anotnio Veloso is the primary reason why development augurs well in  the next three years.

The city will pay tribute to the past city mayors led by the late City Mayor Venancio Inting who was the chief executive in 1966 when Tagbilaran was chartered as a city by the late Pres. Ferdinand Marcos

Today, a grand celebration will highlight the Tagbilaran City’s Golden Anniversary at the Bohol Wisdom School starting at 5  o’clock this afternoon.

The city will award 17 establishments which has survived for over 50 years.

The Bohol Chronicle, which is now on its 62nd year in community journalism will be receiving  the award together with other awardees, namely Tagbilaran Maternity & Children’s Hospital, Inc., New Central Bakery, Matig-a Seaside Inn, BQ Supermarket, Bohol People’s Lumber Corp., Sayong’s Furniture, Saya’s Restaurant, Bohol St. Jude Hospital, Ramasola (The Original Studio), Funeraria Gomez, New Kimberly Boutique, Garcia Pawnshop (Main), Bohol Pacific Merchandising, Florencio Lim Caltex Station, Bil Romo and Bohol Wisdom School.

The city government will also be giving awards to former City Hall officials since 1966 led by former City Mayors Rolando Butalid, Jose V. Torralba. Posthumous Award will be given to former Mayor Venancio Inting (charter mayor) and former Mayor Jose Ma Rocha as well as to former Gov. Erico Aumentado

Today’s 50th Charter Day celebration kicks off with a diana around the city. A Thanksgiving Mass will be officiated by Bishop Leonardo Medroso at the St. Joseph Cathedral this morning together with parish priests of the 15 city barangays. A “tricycle parade” follows with city officials and city beauty queens on board,

The Phil. Postal Bureau is issuing a commemorative stamp which will be launched with Postmaster General Joel Otarra.  An exhibit will be opened at the City Hall Atrium.

The Charter Day commemorative program which will start at 5 this afternoon at the Bohol Wisdom School gym will climax the celebration which will be carried live over dyRD-Worldwide.

During the program, 22 city hall employees will be given the “service awards.