Inclusive Charter Day celebration

ILOILO City’s 82nd Charter Day celebration has introduced inclusivity, positive and results-oriented actions benefiting the majority.

The city government has initiated an inclusive hosting and staging of undertakings to encourage people’s participation and multi-sectoral stakeholders’ support to various programs and projects.

The metropolis will do away with the usual grand parade during the Aug. 25 highlight. Instead, a morning mass at the Freedom Grandstand will be offered to those affected by calamities as well as keep the Ilonggos safe from challenging times.

Mayor Jerry Treñas has opted for a modest yet meaningful celebration amid rising dengue cases and the sea mishap that capsized three pumpboats in the Iloilo Strait.

He has prioritized addressing dengue patients and extending assistance to provide relief, and help affected families recover from the sea disaster due to bad weather.

City hall conducted activities with a cause including a bloodletting on Aug. 14 in partnership with the Philippine Red Cross and Western Visayas Medical Center. The urgent health endeavor supported by multi-sectoral stakeholders and donors has served its purpose of supplying blood to those in need of transfusion amid a dengue outbreak.

Other impact events include sports, art and cultural contests, and job fair designed to attract participation and benefit more Ilonggos.

Attuned to Buwan ng Wika and looking back to the rich Ilonggo heritage and colorful culture, the City Tourism and Development Office (CTDO) will hold a Binalaybay writing contest at Ker Building today, Aug. 19, and a speech competition at Festive Walk Mall on Aug. 20, both at 1:30 p.m.

Bringing preparedness to the city’s constituents in the grassroots level, the City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (CDRRMO) will conduct Barangay Emergency Responders’ Training at village halls on Aug. 19-23 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Promoting the Responsible Parenthood and Family Planning Program, the City Population Office (CPO) will be conducting morning and afternoon discussions with couples by bringing services closer to them in the barangays on Aug. 19-24.

The Public Employment Service Office (PESO) has enjoined 24 local companies and 10 international placement agencies to offer hundreds of domestic and overseas employment opportunities during a job fair at SM City Northwing on Aug. 21 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

For photography enthusiasts, an Iloilo Photo Festival will take place at the Museum of Economic History of the Philippines Annex behind city hall on Aug. 21-23 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. organized by the Iloilo National High School for the Arts.

The Photo Artists League of Iloilo (PALI) will showcase an exhibit of tourism assets at Festive Walk Mall on same dates starting at 10 a.m.

A presentation by the Music Institute Performance: Jovita Fuentes and Jose Contreras will take centerstage at the Iloilo Business Park on Aug. 21-24 at 6:30 p.m.

A drive for a cleaner air, the Anti-Smoke Belching Information Education Campaign and Free Emission Testing, will be undertaken in Bo. Obrero on Aug. 22 at 9 a.m. This will be done simultaneously with a Renewable Energy Stakeholders Forum at the fourth floor conference room of city hall, and Tree Tagging and Declaration of Trees at Molo Plaza by the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO).

Meanwhile, the 6th Baby and Mom Expo will give attention and care to babies’ and mothers’ well-being as hundreds of them will attend the gathering at Robinsons Place Iloilo Fountain Area on Aug. 22 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. organized by the City Health Office.

Pet lovers will have their fur buddies avail themselves of Veterinary Medical Mission at Plaza Libertad on Aug. 23 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. to be held by the Office of the City Veterinarian.

An Adolescent Health Development Program will teach students of proper well-being at Iloilo City National High School in Molo district on the same day from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

A Ballet Fest will be showcased at SM City Northwing at 3 p.m. by Iloilo Choreographers’ Guild and 1st Iloilo Jazz Festival at Jubilee Hall at 6:30 p.m. by Iloilo Jazz Enthusiasts and University of the Philippines Visayas Alumni Association, both on Aug. 23.

A Food Festival will be staged on Delgado Street, City Proper on Aug. 23-24, 11 a.m. to 12 midnight by the Iloilo Hotels, Resorts and Restaurants Association.

Trade fair “Produkto Lokal” at Festive Walk Mall in Mandurriao district will run on Aug. 23-25, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. spearheaded by the Youth First Initiative Philippines.

The Iloilo and Jaro Rivers and Coastal Cleanup will be led by CENRO in the morning of Aug. 24.

Barangay Resilience Forums will be taken up by the CDRRMO in village gyms on the same day.

A Skateboard Competition will kick off at the Iloilo Skate Park in Esplanade 3 at 9 a.m. and Table Tennis Tournament at Gaisano City mall in La Paz district at 10 a.m. organized by the Sports Development Division of the city government.

The E-sports Tournament with exciting inter-school game matches will be played at Jubilee Hall on Aug. 24-25 at 10 a.m. organized by Acclaim Computer Center.

A bloodletting by Red Cross will happen at Festive Walk Mall on Aug. 25 at 8 a.m.
On Aug. 25, the Iloilo Museum of Contemporary Art (ILOMOCA), in cooperation with the City Mayor’s Office, will open its doors to city residents for free.

Those interested should bring identification cards showing their city address./PN