BACOLOD CITY – This city celebrated its 86th Charter Day on Tuesday, June 18, with a four-route motorcade participated in by more than 300 vehicles and motorcycles.
A MOTORCADE kicked off the 86th Charter Day celebration of Bacolod City on Tuesday, June 18. (Bacolod PIO)
With the theme Pagsaulog sang Pagbag-o Para sa Mas Masanyug nga Asenso sang Bacolod, 230 vehicles and 134 motorcycles joined the motorcade on the streets of Barangays Bata, Alangilan, Mansilingan, and Sum-ag.
In his message, Mayor Albee Benitez reflected on the city's achievements and outlined future plans for further development and prosperity.
“In recognition of our 86 years, let us go out and celebrate, and recognize that Bacolod is on its way to becoming a super city,” Benitez said.
“Let us embrace the past and its lessons, so we can understand with openness and humility the present, and we shall be able to chart a better tomorrow,” Benitez said, adding that the future’s shining promise awaits those who believe and those who will take the risk to make the change.
As part of the celebration, Nestor “Aboy” Evaristo, Bryant Lao, and Marigold Ponce-Tangco were feted as this year’s Banwahanon awardees for their exemplary actions that contributed to the betterment of this city.
This city also acknowledged Fairly Pretta, Sagup Negros Food Waste Mitigation Initiative, and Dr. Edwin Segovia as Be the Change awardees.
Benitez said the Be the Change award is given to ordinary people that have done small actions that have greatly impacted the community. “These small actions may be replicated by other Bacolodnons and the communities,” he added.
Aside from these awards, the city also recognized outstanding taxpayers of 2023 in business and real property, in the individual and corporate categories, and acknowledged outstanding employees from supervisory and non-supervisory departments.
Benitez said that he is eyeing to recognize government employees every flag ceremony to incorporate their best practices, positive attitude, and good deeds to other government employees.
The celebration emphasized change and progress which served as a reminder of this city’s enduring legacy and its bright future ahead.
Bacolod Rep. Greg Gasataya, in his message, lauded this city for its progress amid the challenges in the past 86 years.
“Let us celebrate our milestones that led us to thrive and become one of our country's top cities. With our proven resilience and strong sense of community, we can certainly look forward to an even brighter future for the City of Smiles,” he said.