“Mini-Kasanggayahan” activities highlight Sorsogon’s celebration of 114th Philippine Independence

By: Bennie A. Recebido

SORSOGON CITY, June 4 – Valuing sovereignty to a greater extent, Sorsoganons will significantly celebrate the 114^th year anniversary of Philippine Independence this year by integrating efforts and activities of various stakeholders and showcase them in a “mini-kasanggayahan” way.

“For this year, we want to leave a long-term impact to the public on the significance of celebrating Philippine Independence and how this has been revolutionized over the years,” said Col. Felix Castro, commanding officer, 903^rd Infantry Brigade, Philippine Army and over-all working committee chair of Philippine Independence Day 2012 celebration in Sorsogon.

“Unlike the past years where we only limit our celebration through our attendance to the traditional flag raising ceremony, Pledge of Allegiance to the Philippine Flag and wreath-laying activity, this year, the local and national government agencies together with its partner agencies converged and decided to come-up with a more meaningful celebration by showcasing their programs, projects and activities that would benefit the Sorsoganons,” he added.

Col. Castro also explained that during the province’s celebration of Kasanggayahan agro-industrial produce of Sorsogon are being showcased in various booths and stalls, but during this year’s four-day Philippine Independence celebration which will be on June 9-12, what will be exhibited are the services of each participating agencies.

Among the services to be displayed and can be availed of by the Sorsoganons are the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ (AFP) free hair-cut and massage; Department of Health (DoH), Provincial Health Office (PHO) and Philippine Red Cross’ (PRC) free blood pressure check-up and first aid services; Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Provincial Employment Services Office (PESO) and Department of Public Works and Highways’ (DPWH) jobs fair; Technical Education Skills and Development Authority’s (TESDA) assessment, scholarships and demonstrations; Department of Education’s (DepEd) K to 12 and mother tongue-based instruction program; and Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI) exhibit of Sorsogon’s best products.

Lectures, demonstrations, audio-visual presentations and other information dissemination activities by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Civil Service Commission (CSC), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Philippine Information Agency (PIA) and Governor’s Office will also be provided for the academe and the general public.

The Provincial Tourism Office will showcase Sorsogon’s tourist destinations, conduct flyers and postcard distribution as well as free tour at the museum.

The four consecutive nights will also be filled with freedom concerts highlighting the city performers, Philippine National Police Band, Kaze production, Community-Based Theater Group (CBTG), Himig Kapitolyo and Royal Band.

Meanwhile, Sorsogon Governor Raul R. Lee requested the city government to issue an Executive Order directing the government agencies, establishments, households and even the public utility vehicles to hang or display Philippine flags in their respective areas of concerns. In celebrating the Philippine Independence, Philippine Flags are commonly hanged or displayed starting May 28 (National Flag Day) until June 12 (Independence Day). 

Gov. Lee also calls on the support of local media in encouraging the general public to support the activities by visiting the Capitol Park on the dates slated.

This year’s theme of Philippine Independence Day celebration is “Kalayaan: Pananagutan ng Bayan para sa Tuwid na Daan”. On this year also, marks the 25^th anniversary of the 1987 Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines. (BARecebido, PIA Sorsogon)