ANGELES CITY – Pres. Aquino has declared this Thursday, April 19, a special non-working holiday in Tarlac City in commemoration of its 14th Charter Day anniversary.
Aquino issued Proclamation No.356, signed by Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. last March 27 “to give the people of the city the opportunity to celebrate and participate in the occasion.”
Tarlac became a component city by virtue of Republic Act 8593 which was overwhelmingly ratified by the town’s registered voters in 1998.
Tarlac is a first class city which hosts the provincial capitol shown on the back of the P500 bill that features the President’s father, the late former Sen. Benigno Aquino Jr.
During the term of former Pres. Arroyo, the city was proposed to be declared a highly urbanized city, but this was opposed by the provincial government.
The Tarlac City Tourism Office said weeklong celebrations commemorating cityhood began yesterday with a Mass, a program called “Lingap sa Maralitang Tarlakenyo” or the awarding of livelihood grants to indigent Tarlaqueños, and a basic training on cosmetology at the covered court of the Plazuela where a job fair will be held today, followed by a raffle bonanza and variety show.
The city information office said, however, that Charter Day will be marked on Thursday, marked by a Rice Cake Festival in the afternoon and ballroom dancing for barangay officials and women leaders in the evening. The day will be capped with a fireworks display.
The city information office also said that more festivities are lined up for Friday, including the Department of Trade and Industry’s whole day Diskwento Caravan at the Plaza Covered Court, inauguration of SM City Bypass road, opening of OFW Resource Center at New Legislative Building), and street parties on Friday and Saturday at the SM City Bypass road.
