As the Province of Davao Oriental launched its historic countdown to its 50th Founding Anniversary on Friday, March 24, the Local Government Units of Davao Oriental — from the municipalities down to the barangays — showcased fun and vibrant activities in their respective towns and villages as their way of showing support to province’s distinc celebration.
Mayors of the eleven towns and one city as well as the officials of the 183 barangays here simultaneously held various activities in their towns and villages ranging from community services, feeding activities, tree-planting, consultation gatherings and even Zumba.
“We woke up early and grabbed our brooms, boots and other cleaning gears for our clean-up drive,” said Nenita Carasca from the Office of the Mayor in Tarragona town. Not minding the scorching heat, employees of Tarragona Municipal Government said they were very excited to be part of the celebration. Aside from the clean-up drive, LGU Tarragona also held a parade giving the celebration a festive feel.“It’s not every year that the province celebrates its 50thanniversary. The Golden Anniversary of the province is so special that we really want to be part of the historic celebration,” said one employee.
Aside from the LGUs, far-flung villages in the hinterlands have shown their support by conducting consultative gatherings and community dancing activities. “We are very thrilled of the celebration that we really put so much effort on encouraging community members to participate and took the time in putting up tarpaulins and festive embellishments at the barangay to create a jovial atmosphere,” says an employee of Barangay Jovellar in Tarragona town.
Other towns have also featured some highlight activities. Scores of people in Boston town planted tree seedlings as part of their campaign in helping to green-up the town’s landscapes. The said activity was participated in by municipal officials, national government agencies, students, municipal employees, and volunteers, among others.
Animated employees of Governor Generoso town greeted the celebration with a Zumba work-out. The Municipal Government of Manay spearheaded an early morning mass with prayers dedicated for the 50th anniversary celebration.
Around 200 participants joined the opening program for the Information-Education Campaign on the Best Practices of the Protection of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Mount Hamiguitan in San Isidro town. Led by renowned environment advocate Mayor Justina Yu, the activity was joined by key officials from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. Gracing the activity include Governor Generoso town Mayor Katrina Joy Orencia and her Vice Mayor Vicente Orencia. After the activity, guests were led in an experiential tour at the Mount Hamiguitan World Heritage Park.
Meanwhile, the communities in the towns of Lupon, Caraga, Cateel and Baganga also conducted a clean-up drive with loads of people removing debris from roadways and waterways. Communities in the town of Banaybanay have also gathered for a mass anniversary greeting. In an aerial documentation, well-choreographed employees dotted the municipal grounds forming a massive ‘50’ as their means of conveying cheers to the province. “It is with honor and pride that for 50 years, Davao Oriental continues to soar high, gaining trust of the people and in embodying good governance,” said Banaybanay Mayor AdaliaTambuang.
The City Government of Mati, meanwhile, sponsored a spectacular fireworks display at the Closing Ceremonies of the Davao Athletic Association Meet at the Mati Park and Baywalk for the thousands of athletes and spectators to behold.
The Province of Davao Oriental which is celebrating its 50th Founding Anniversary on July 1 has many reasons for celebrating, says Governor Nelson L. Dayanghirang in a message delivered by his representative Vice Governor Niño Uy during the Launching Program on Friday.
“There are more than 50 reasons to celebrate the province’s golden anniversary. Among them are the following: our tourism and the local economy that creates jobs and cultivate local entrepreneurship, our infrastructure which provides service-oriented facilities in local communities; our innovation that redefines local governance; cultural preservation that protects our cultural heritage through local efforts; disaster preparedness that strengthens our capacity toward resiliency; environmental management, revenue generation, water and sanitation, housing and basic utilities, and there are many more! we have passed the test of good local governance. Proof of it is the latest Seal of Good Local Governance being conferred by the Department of Interior and Local Government to Davao Oriental. We are among the few provinces in the Davao region being conferred with such distinction. And we will have to raise the ante a notch higher because the challenges of good governance become even more demanding and difficult,” he said.
As Davao Oriental begins its countdown to its much-anticipated Golden Anniversary, Governor Dayanghirang hopes for more achievements and milestones for the province in the coming years. He says there are many possibilities for the province as long as there is unity and cooperation among the people. (Karen Lou Deloso/PIO DavOr)
