ZamboSur marks 63rd founding anniversary

By Claro A. Lanipa

PAGADIAN CITY – The province of Zamboanga del Sur will be celebrating its 63^rd Founding Anniversary starting today, September 10 until Sept. 17 with the theme, “Lig-on nga Pangagamhanan, Sandigan sa Mauswagong Katawhan sa Lalawigan.” (Strong Governance, Foundation of Prosperous People in the Province).

The week-long celebration depicts various activities and nightly presentations which will be participated by the 26 municipalities and Pagadian City. The programs and activities are all designed to celebrate the uniqueness and peaceful co-existence of Zambosurians in the midst of its diversity in religion, culture and creed.

To drum up the week-long festivities, a thanksgiving mass will be held today at the Megayon Stage, Provincial Government Center in Barangay Dao, which will be attended by all local officials and employees of the province. This will be followed by a flag raising ceremony and the raising of the banners of the  province’s26 municipalities and one city, including all national government officesat the Unity Park.

The Organic Agri Trade Fair Opening Ceremonies and Farmers’ Congress will follow at the same venue highlighted by the Organic Cooking Contest participated in by 26 lovely candidates for Miss Zamboanga del Sur 2015.

Meanwhile, forming part of the celebration is the Philippine National Games Mindanao Qualifying Leg hosted by the province from September 10-14 where some  5,000 to 6,000 athletes, coaches and sports officials from the different provinces and cities in Mindanao are expected to participate.

Other activities lined-up to highlight the celebration are; Women’s Assembly spearheaded by the Women Empowerment Movement-Rural Improvement Club (WEM-RIC), Liga ng mga Barangay Convention, Josefina H. Cerilles School Campuses Day, Boy Scout of the Philippines Court of Honor, Festival Dance Competition and the Search for Miss Zamboanga del Sur 2015.

Back to back are the nightly activities such as the Governor’s Night, Peace and Order Night, Teacher’s Night, WEM-RIC Night, Liga ng mga Barangay Night highlighted by the awarding of the Most Outstanding Punong Barangay and the Most Outstanding Zambosurians’Night.

On September 17, prior to the anniversary program and the Barangay Emergency Response Team (BERT) General Assembly, an anniversary mass will be held at the same venue, the Megayon Stage.