ZAMBOANGA CITY – The Pagadian city government has announced that it will tone down its charter city anniversary celebration in June due to the Middle East crisis.
In a social media post, the local government resolved to implement an austerity program for the upcoming 57th Araw ng Pagadian celebration.
“To prioritize the welfare of our citizens and ensure the prudent and responsible use of public resources, the celebration will be simplified, with funds redirected to programs and services that directly benefit our people,” the local government said.
Among the events to be cancelled are Miss Universe Philippines-Pagadian and the Araw ng Pagadian Grand Street Party.
The celebration will have meaningful events seen as reflective of the city’s resilience and pride such as the Awarding for Outstanding Pagadianons, Drum and Lyre Interschool Competition, and Civic-Military Parade.
“Through these activities, we seek to honor the spirit of Pagadian in a modest yet significant manner, highlighting solidarity, service, and civic pride. We encourage all Pagadianons to join us in celebrating our city’s history and recognizing the invaluable contributions of our people, while remaining mindful of the challenges we collectively face.”