As Talisay marks Liberation Day March 26 is special working holiday in Cebu province

Cebu, Philippines -Malacañang has declared March 26, the day Talisay City celebrates Liberation Day, a special working holiday in Cebu province.

Talisay City Vice Mayor Alan Bucao told reporters that with the signing of Republic Act 10359, workers living in the province will receive salary incentives should they work on March 26

Bucao said 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.

House Bill No. 3496, which declares March 26 of every year as a special working holiday commemorating the Historic Liberation of Cebu from the Japanese Occupation during World War II, was introduced by Cebu Rep. Eduardo Gullas. 

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 was used to be an Agustinian estate in 1648 but only 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)