BONTOC, Mountain Province – Malacañang recently declared Friday, September 15, 2023 as a special non-working holiday in this capital town to pave the way for its founding anniversary and the conduct of the annual Am-among festival.
Proclamation No. 3333 signed by Executive secretary Lucas P. Bersamin, by authority of President Ferdinan R. Marcos, Jr., stated that to enable the people of the municipality to fully participate in the aforesaid occasion, Mayor Jerome Chagsen, Tudlong, Jr. requested the Office of the President that Friday, September 15, 2-23 be declared as a special non-working holiday in lieu of September 16, 2-23 which is the town’s actual founding anniversary that falls on a Saturday.
It is but fitting and proper that the people of Bontoc be given the full opportunity to participate in the occasion and enjoy the celebration,” the Proclamation stressed.
Earlier, Malacañang also issued Proclamation No. 324 which declared Wednesday, September 13, 2023 as a special non-working holiday in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) to allow the people of the region to celebrate of the 37th anniversary of the ‘sipat’ or the exchange of peace tokens that was forged by the Philippine government under the leadership of former President Corazon C. Aquino and the Cordillera Peoples Liberation Army (CPLA) heeded by the late rebel priest Conrado Balweg at the historic Mount Data hotel on September 13,1986 that paved the way for the creation of the region.
In his founding anniversary, Mayor Tudlong pointed out that it is with great pleasure and excitement to invite the residents and visitors alike in the celebration of the town’s 115th anniversary and 19th Am-among festival.
“We come together in unity and joy, not only to commemorate our past but also to look forward to the future with renewed motivation and enthusiasm. This twin celebration serves as a milestone of what we have achieved and the progress we continue to make as a community,” Mayor Tudlong stressed.
With this year’s theme ‘Radiating Good Governance through Accelerated Public Service,’ he urged the people to take a moment to appreciate the strides the local government had done in significantly improving public service delivery, however, he challenged them to also commit themselves to continuous improvement aspiring to raise the bar even higher.
“Together, we can radiate good governance by actively participating in community development initiatives and promoting dialogue and cooperation among all stakeholders. By embracing active citizenship and collaboration, we can create a thriving municipality that meets the needs of its residents. As we commemorate our foundation day and revel in the municipal festival, let us not forget the essence of good governance. Let us celebrate our achievements while work on what lies ahead. With determination, collective effort and shared vision, we can continue to accelerate public service and build a brighter future,” Tudlong added.
The local government was able to lined up various activities for the town’s celebration of its 115th founding anniversary and the annual conduct of the 19th Am-among festival although the same has been toned down while the municipality is recovering from the heavy impact inflicted by the COVI-19 pandemic to the economic activities of the people.
Mayor Tudlong claimed that the town’s Foundation Day will be celebrated on September 15, 2023, with a Civic Parade and program to be graced by Guest of Honor and Speaker, Dr. Elizabeth Macli-ing Solang. Also, it is during the said date that Ground Demonstration is to be participated in by high school students from the different barangays in the municipality and the Indigenous Games for the public.
After three years of a scaled-down celebration due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the most-awaited Am-among Street Dancing and Cultural Presentations is scheduled on September 16, 2023. Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) – Regional Director Araceli San Jose is the Keynote Speaker during the program.
Also, other activities are included to spice up the town’s twin celebration. These include the Sports Festival cum Chagsen Cup from August 28 – September 16, 2023, Fun Ride with Tree Planting on September 2, PRC Mobile Outreach Services and PhilSys Mobile Registration on September 8, Mr and Ms Am-among 2023 Pre-Pageant on September 9, Agri-Craft Trade Fair; Thanksgiving Mass on September 11, Art Exhibit on September 11-15, Walk for a Cause on September 12, Sing and Dance Competition on September 12, Am-among Inter-Zonal Skills Challenge on September 13, and Mr and Ms Am-among 2023- Coronation Night on September 13. By Dexter A. See and Alpine L. Killa-Malwagay