Province marks 450th anniversary

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu Province turns 450 years old with Presidential daughter and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte as guest of honor during the grand opening of the month-long festivities today.

Sara supported Garcia's bid for a Capitol comeback in the 2019 elections.

Garcia, for her part, was vocal about her support for the programs and campaigns of Sara’s father, President Rodrigo Duterte, including the government's war against drugs.

The month-long activities in line with the anniversary kicked off with a medical mission on August 1.

The other activities include, among others, the re-launch of the Suroy-Suroy Sugbo, a tourism project that Garcia initiated during her previous term as governor; 1Cebu expo; and the highly-anticipated revival of the Pasigarbo sa Sugbo, which will have 45 competing cities and municipalities.

Work in public offices and classes in all levels in the province have been suspended for today’s anniversary, pursuant to Republic Act 8952, which was filed by former governor and congressman Pablo Garcia.

R.A. 8952 amended Republic Act 7698 by including Cebu City and Mandaue City, as well as component cities Lapu-Lapu, Danao, and Toledo, on the list of local government units covered by the no work and no class declaration. (FREEMAN)