by: Claro A. Lanipa
Pagadian City 22, June (PIA) – The City of Pagadian marked another milestone
in its political history as it celebrated its 43rd Charter Day
anniversary on Thursday, June 21, 2012, with theme “Kalinaw, Panaghiusa ug Kakugi
Maoy Tinubdan sa Atong Kalamboan,” (Peace, Unity and Hardwork key to Progress.)
Mayor Samuel Co in his anniversary
message said, this is the first time that we are celebrating our 43rd
Charter Day, which we used to call it
Araw ng Pagadian, but the city officialdom decided to transfer it to March 26
of every year as the Araw ng Pagadian, because this was the time Pagadian
became a municipality.
Pagadian became a chartered city through
Republic Act 5478 on June 21, 1969, Mayor Co said.
Today, we look back with a healthy smile
and satisfaction for the overwhelming blessings given to us by our Almighty
God, he emphasized. Infrastructure developments especially in terms of concrete
roads and bridges, seaport and airport, shopping malls, commercial malls,
hotels, entertainment restaurants had made Pagadian City one of the tourist
destinations in Mindanao, Co disclosed.
The chief executive said, the city
government have also opened and operated the City Commercial Center (C3), the
biggest economic enterprise investment. We have hosted the Mindanao Business
Conference for the first time. Also for the first hosted the National Executive
Board Meeting of the League of Cities, and ex-factor audition of the Pinoy Big
Brother and more.
The dancing fountain that has introduce
and make us known in the whole of Mindanao and to the rest of
country, Co added.
Together we have entice more and more
people to come to Pagadian and experience the fun. They said, it’s more fun in
the Philippines, and we said it’s even more fun in Pagadian, just ride our
tricycles, Co quipped.
So no one could fail to be impressed
with the immense progress that we have and has been achieved, yet, we will not
rest our laurels – there are so many things yet to be done in order to make
Pagadian a sustainable city. As the
population grows and immigration continues, we have also realized that we have to continue building
infrastructure that will be in place for the years to come, said Co.
In return, let us abide with this year’s
theme “ Kalinaw, Panaghiusa ug Kakugi Maoy Tinubdan sa Atong Kalamboan,” Co
underscored.
It is only fitting that we should
recognize those who have toiled with us, those who have been generous and those
who enable our vision to take wings and rise above the confusion of random
possibilities. Those who have contributed to what our city of Pagadian has
become and potentially will become, Mayor Co said.
The city government family our
provincial and regional officials, other government agencies, the
non-government organizations, civic and religious organizations – your whole
hearted support, cooperation and trust in this administration has given us a
greater responsibility and commitment to serve all Pagadianon more better. And
at the same time the opportunity to effect the kind of changes we need, Co
continued.
As the City Mayor, it is my fervent wish
and desire that every Pagadianons and Zambosurians will continue to have faith,
support and help Pagadian City become one of the great cities in Mindanao.
Because I always believe that everything that we have envisioned for the city
is possible, he said.
The choice is within us, so let that be
our purpose and our prayers, yours and mind, for ourselves, for the city and
for all Pagadianons. Let us join hands in making the city a pride of
Pagadianon, Co concluded.
The event was attended by national and
regional officials, civic and religious organizations, NGOs, city officials and
employees and barangay officials.
(CAL/PIA9)