Week-long activities lined-up for Dapitan City’s 55th Charter Day

• Source: http://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1009137
• Tuesday, June 19, 2018

By Emmanuel D. Taghoy (ALT/EDT/PIA9-Zamboanga del Norte)

DAPITAN CITY, Zamboanga del Norte (PIA) – The City of Dapitan is celebrating is 55th Charter Day which kicked-off last week, June 15, with Senator Cynthia Villar as the guest of honor and keynote speaker.

Villar joined local officials in the ribbon cutting for the opening of the 2nd “Balanghoy” (Cassava) Festival held after the conduct of foot parade which was attended by personnel of the City Government, some representatives from national government agencies, members of non-government organizations, academe and local media, among others.

In her message, the senator stressed that with assistance to farmers in mechanization of farming, use of high yielding rice variety, and right training on farm management, “we can be rice-sufficient in three years.”

According to the Senator, the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PRRI) has developed the high producing rice variety and is now being introduced to farmers.

"If we use that variety of rice that can produce six metric tons per hectare, then we can increase rice production by 50 percent. Or even with only 20 percent increase, we can be rice-sufficient,” she said.

Simultaneously, the weeklong Agro-Industrial Fair was also opened on the same date at the Dapitan City Aqua-Marine Park (DAMPA).

City Agriculturist Cyril Patangan said the activity showcases the different agricultural products of the city in the various booths. There will also be nightly presentations.

The week-long event highlights sports activities such as inter-agency basketball and volleyball tournament, fun run, motor boat race, badminton tournament, invitational tennis, National OFF Road Competition and marathon.

During the LGU-Night, the Most Outstanding Dapitanon 2018 will be announced.

Moreover, loyalty awards will be given to deserving employees of the local government unit, including service awards to retiring Dapitan officials and personnel.

More highlights include videoke challenge, balitaw and modern dance competitions, Gasa sa Komedya, and Tawag ng Tanghalan.

The celebration will culminate on June 22.

Dapitan became a chartered city by virtue of Republic Act No. 3811, sponsored by then Congressman Alberto Q. Ubay and signed by the late Pres. Diosdado Macapagal on June 22, 1963, which was then the first chartered city in the province of Zamboanga del Norte.