PNoy declares nonworking days in Butuan, Gingoog

President Benigno Aquino III has declared three special nonworking days in two cities in Mindanao to let residents celebrate their fiestas.

 

Malacañang said Aquino, in three proclamations, declared two special nonworking days for Butuan City and a separate one for Gingoog City.

 

“All three proclamations were signed on Tuesday, May 14 by Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa, Jr. by authority of President Benigno S. Aquino III,” a Palace statement said.

 

In Proclamation No. 381, Aquino declared May 19, a Saturday, as a special nonworking day in Butuan to let residents commemorate the Silver Year of the Balangay Festival.

 

The said festival commemorates the arrival of early migrants that settled in the Philippines, on board the balangay boats.

 

In the 16th century when the Spaniards arrived, Filipinos were already living in well-organized villages called barangays, named after the Austronesian word for “sailboat.”

 

Aquino also issued Proclamation 383 declaring August 2 a special non-working day in Butuan to mark “Adlaw Hong Butuan” or Butuan City’s Charter Day.

 

The Adlaw Hong Festival features street parties, beauty pageants and motorcades to honor the city’s officials, citizens, and past leaders who rendered service to the city.

 

For Gingoog City, meanwhile, Aquino issued Proclamation No. 382, declaring May 22, the city’s annual fiesta day, as a special non-working day. –KG, GMA News