Zambo. Norte turns 60, glories in past achievements

by Franklin P. Gumapon

DIPOLOG CITY, June 7 (PIA) - - Ecumenical prayers and thanksgiving mass have been held yesterday in commemoration of the 60^th founding anniversary of the province of Zamboanga del Norte.

Carved out from the defunct Zamboanga province on June 6, 1952, Zamboanga del Norte became a thriving province in the northwestern part of Mindanao.

In his homily during a mass held at the Capitol Plaza, Monsignor Edgar M. Agura said the past governors of the province had greatly contributed to its growth and development with their major programs and projects such as the “Palayan ng Bayan” in Kalawit town by former governor Virginio Lacaya, the establishment of an agro-technical science high school in Dipolog City by governor Alberto Q. Ubay and many others.

He also mentioned that the first governor of the province was the late Felipe B. Azcuna who had also once served as governor of the Zamboanga province.

Provincial Governor Rolando E. Yebes also took pride of the awards he received from the Civil Service Commission (CSC), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and others in recognition of his sterling performance as the province’s 13^th governor. He is now in his last term as provincial governor.

Zamboanga del Norte’s 60^th founding anniversary was capped by the Hudyaka Festival which was opened last May 30. Colorful booths selling farm products, novelty items and other wares have been put up at the Hudyaka site inside the Zamboanga del Norte National High School (ZNNHS) grounds here in Dipolog City.

The booths set up by the municipalities also present their respective agri-tourism potentials.

It could be recalled that Republic Act 711 caused the creation of the provinces of Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga del Sur from the Zamboanga province on June 6, 1952. The twin provinces had 11 municipalities each with Dipolog and Pagadian as provincial capitals of Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga del Sur, respectively.

Zamboanga City does not belong to either Zamboanga del Norte or Zamboanga del Sur; it is a chartered city.

The first municipalities composing Zamboanga del Norte were Dapitan, Rizal, Dipolog, Katipunan, Sindangan, Labason, Siocon, Polanco, Piñan, Liloy and Manukan. (FPG/PIA-Zamboanga del Norte)