CEBU, Philippines - The Province of Cebu is giving P100,000 financial assistance to help defray the expenses for the commemoration of the historic Talisay Landing and Liberation from the Japanese occupation during the World War II.
The Provincial Board yesterday passed a resolution commemorating the landing of the American forces to liberate Cebu from the Japanese soldiers.
Acting Cebu Governor Agnes Magpale said she will attend the activity in Talisay City today.
Today is also a special working holiday not only in Talisay but in the entire province.
President Benigno Aquino last January 9, 2013 signed into law the Republic Act 10359 authored by first district Rep. Eduardo Gullas expanding the holiday on March 26 of every year.
The measure was passed by the House of Representatives in November 2012 and the Senate a month later. It was signed by Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile and Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr.
Gullas accepted the amendment of the Department of Labor and Employment to make a special working holiday in view of the fact that the daily wage earners are the ones affected and prejudiced by so many special non-working holidays.
Gullas said the declaration of local holidays through congressional legislations will permanently preserve and uphold the local historical and significant events that enrich the cultural heritage of local government units.
Talisay City used to be an Agustinian estate in 1648. It became a municipality in 1849 with Silverio Fernandez as its first gobernadorcillo and Pedro Labuca as capitan.
Some accounts trace the origin of its name from Magtalisay trees abounding in areas while others claim origin of the name from a town in Spain.
In both the American and Japanese occupations, Talisay served as haven for colonial forces.
During World War II, the city served as the center of guerilla intelligence operations for the Philippine residence movement in Cebu.
The returning American forces made their historic landing in the beach of Talisay on March 26, 1945 - an event that marked the eventual surrender of the Japanese forces in Cebu. (FREEMAN)