The provincial government of Bulacan (PGB) commemorated the 125th anniversary of the Malolos Congress at the historic grounds of Barasoain Church in the City of Malolos on Friday, Sept. 15, as a culmination of the weeklong celebration of Singkaban Festival 2023.
The Provincial History, Arts, Culture, and Tourism Office (PHACTO) said that in Bulacan, the Malolos Congress is a historical day as it was the first gathering of more or less 200 Filipino delegates in Barasoian Church which established the Philippine Republic.
Dr. Eliseo Dela Cruz, PHACTO chief, said the Malolos Congress on September 15, 1898 marked the dawn of an independent nation and gave rise to the Republic of the Philippines, thus solidifying its position as the pioneer independent republic in Asia.
Bulacan Vice Governor Alexis C. Castro and guest of honor Senator Loren Legarda, led the flag-raising ceremony on Friday.
The flag-raising was followed by the wreath-laying ceremony at the monument of Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo. Legarda was accompanied by Bulacan Police Provincial Office director Col. Relly B. Arnedo and National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) Chairman Dr. Emmanuel Franco Calairo.
Legarda said the Malolos Congress, alongside the revolutionary government led by President Emilio Aguinaldo, showed to the whole world the capability of Filipinos for self-governance.
She said that aside from writing the Philippines' own laws, Filipinos were able to establish local governments, a literary-scientific university, public schools, a military academy, and newspapers with wide circulation.
"We sent representatives to various major cities in the world, who brought with them copies of our Constitution and news of our victories," Legarda said.
Also present during the historical event were the officials of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan ng Bulacan, Malolos City Mayor Christian D. Natividad, Vice Mayor Miguel Alberto T. Bautista, Bishop Dennis C. Villarojo, and Rev. Father Domingo Salonga.
Based on Memorandum Order No. DRF-09012023-459 issued by Governor Daniel R. Fernando last Sept. 1, this year's celebration of the Malolos Congress was declared a special working holiday in the province of Bulacan.
Based on the directives of the Office of the President through the Office of the Deputy Executive Secretary for Legal Affairs (ODESLA), this year, only two special non-working days are allowed in every local government unit (LGU) to uplift the economic work productivity and reduce the interruption of works and the additional expenses in dealings. There will be classes and work in all public and private schools, as well as in all public offices.