Naga City – Preparations are underway for the celebration of this city’s 74th charter anniversary this month and the 2022 Peñafrancia fiesta in September.
In an interview, Allen Reondanga, head of the City Events, Protocol, and Public Information Office (CEPPIO), said Naga will mark the occasion by way of extending services to the Nagueños and commending those who partnered with the local government unit in public service undertakings.
Naga City Mayor Nelson Legacion has signed an executive order naming the heads of different events and support committees.
Legacion said the city’s decision to pursue the conduct of civic and religious events during this year’s Peñafrancia fiesta has been coordinated officially with the Nueva Caceres Archdioceses.
He said programmed events will be pursued even as city remains under Alert Level 1 or Alert Level 2 status. Under Alert Level 1, the public, vaccinated or unvaccinated, can participate in any of the civic and religious events while under Alert Level 2, only vaccinated persons can participate in the Peñafrancia fiesta activities.
No outdoor event or activity is permitted in a place declared under a higher alert level status.
Naga City’s Charter Anniversary events will run from June 12 to 19, with mass vaccination against coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) to be conducted at Plaza Rizal as a kick-off event and part of the city’s 124th Araw ng Kalayaan observance. Some 500 individuals aged 5 upwards to senior status are expected to get vaccinated.
A health caravan that offers different health services free of charge will also be conducted.
There will be awards rights to formally recognize nearly 400 barangay healthcare workers, barangay tanods, vaccinators, and other volunteers who worked as frontline collaborators of the local government in various Covid-19 response programs.
Likewise, an agricultural fair will be opened at Kinastillohan Street from June 13 to 16. On the 17th, a charter anniversary trade fair will be showcased at the Robinsons Place Naga.
On June 15, Legacion will officially relaunch the weekly People’s Day during which he, along with the heads of frontline offices, will meet with their constituents in an open venue at the Naga City People’s Hall to address their concerns.
On June 16, a mass wedding organized by the city civil registry office will be officiated by the mayor at the Plaza Rizal, targeting at least 74 couples.
On the 17th, there will be a mass tree planting at the 74th site of the Forest in Our Midst (FOM) program, while on June 18, a job fair that will offer 800 local and overseas jobs will be held at Robinsons Place Naga.
In the afternoon of June 18, members of Team Naga will take their oath as newly elected officials of the city with Vice President Leni Robredo as administering officer.
The swearing-in ceremony will be held at the Plaza Quezon where incoming city officials have traditionally taken their oaths since 1948.
This year’s Charter Day anniversary will be capped by a simple celebration of the birth anniversary of Gat Jose P. Rizal at the Plaza Rizal on June 19. (With PNA reports)