ILOILO – Today marks the municipality of Pavia’s centennial founding anniversary.
There are no grandiose celebrations, however, due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
The municipal government is opting for a simple commemoration.
“We are celebrating our 100th anniversary or our centenary. Pavia separated from Jaro and became an independent town on Jan. 8, 1921,” said Mayor Laurence Anthony “Luigi” Gorriceta.
Gorriceta is leading the centenary opening program around 5 p.m. today at the Pavia covered gym. Local officials, stakeholders and residents will look back how Pavia made big strides to progress in the past 100 years.
Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. and Cong. Michael Gorriceta of the 2nd District will be the special guests.
The program will be capped with a fireworks display.
As a precaution against COVID-19, the local government lined up limited activities. These are the following:
* motorcade around 18 barangays in Pavia – 5 a.m.
* Mass followed by municipal flag raising – 8 a.m.
* groundbreaking / laying of time capsule of the centennial building (children’s playground side) – 10 a.m.
Gorriceta is also leading the release of the P3,000 anniversary bonus to 1,000 regular employees of the municipal government.
Today’s activities, according to the mayor, are just a “kickoff” as the local government is making Pavia’s centennial celebration a whole-year event until Jan. 8, 2022.
Pavia has made big strides to progress in the past 100 years, said Gorriceta.
It has attracted many industrial companies and residential subdivisions, and many more are interested to invest in the municipality, he pointed out.
The second-class municipality, Gorriceta said, is also self-sustaining since it’s not dependent to the Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA).
“Without IRA, makasarang kita magpadalagan sang aton nga mga programa. Nagasalig kita sa aton local income unlike before. This is because of industries and sa mga malls and sa pag-manage man sang financial aspect ta,” said Gorriceta.
The mayor also hopes the flyovers being constructed in the town’s barangays Ungka II and Aganan would yield high economic rate of return as they attract investors.
With the town currently battling the COVID-19 pandemic, Gorriceta thanked Pavianhons for their cooperation and support for the current administration.
The municipal government kicked off a yearlong countdown and preparation for 100th founding anniversary on Jan. 8, 2020.
Next year, Jan. 8 is expected to be a special non-working holiday in Pavia. The House of Representatives approved on third and final reading House Bill No. 7777, or An Act Declaring Jan. 8 of every year a special non-working holiday in the municipality of Pavia, to be known as “Pavia Day”, in commemoration of its foundation anniversary.
Authored by Congressman Gorriceta, the measure was transmitted to the Senate on Nov. 26, 2020.
Pavia, which used to be a part of the Municipality of Santa Barbara in 1901, was attached to the City of Iloilo in 1904 and was included in the then Municipality of Jaro in 1920.
An executive order was released in 1921 by Francis Burton Harrison, then Governor General of the Philippines, to separate Pavia from the Municipality of Jaro and reorganize it into an independent municipality.
The proposed Gorriceta measure sought to recognize the efforts of the local leaders who helped in the formation of Pavia as an independent local government unit, foster pride of place among the residents and those who trace their ancestry from the municipality and encourage the current populace to further engage in activities that will supplement and support the town
Furthermore, as the municipality reaches the centennial commemoration of this historic event, this bill aims for the strengthening of the programs and projects directed towards the benefit of the municipality, the improvement of its economic standing and to highlight the immense commitment and service needed to sustains its prestige.
Along with this comes the anticipation that by enlightening the public with the importance of its declaration as an independent municipality, positive action shall stem from its recognition./PN
