July 15 a holiday in Cordillera

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines  â€“ It's a holiday in the Cordillera highlands on July 15 after President Benigno Aquino III officially declared it as a special non-working holiday in celebration of its 26th foundation anniversary as an administrative region.

Proclamation 608 signed by the Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa said the declaration of holiday will give "opportunity"  to celebrate and participate in the occasion with appropriate ceremonies.”

CAR was created by virtue of Executive Order 220 signed by PNoy’s mother--  former Pres. Corazon Aquino on July 15, 1987.

Six provinces and two cities compose the administrative region -- Abra, Apayao, Benguet, Ifugao , Kalinga and Mountain Province and the cities of Baguio and Tabuk.

The CAR's 26th foundation anniversary celebration this year is themed: “Bridging ONE Green Cordillera,’ to let the people celebrate its foundation day “in a green way and appropriate ceremonies”.

The month–long celebration is spearheaded by the Regional Development Council Infrastructure Development Committee with the Department of Public Works and Highways as lead agency.

The celebrations kicks off on July 9 and officials will be sending-off the Cordillera Unity Gong Relay at the Baguio City Hall.  
Mayor Mauricio Domogan will hand the Unity Gong to DPWH-CAR Regional Director Edilberto Carrabacan who will lead the caravan where the symbolic gong will travel to the different provinces then back to Baguio City on July 15 in time for the regional celebration of the Cordillera month.

During  the commemoration day,    a relief map at Burnham Park will be opened to the public and a civic parade and program to be led by RDC chairman -- Kalinga Governor Jocel Baac who will appraise every Cordilleran the “state of the Cordillera region”. - Artemio A. Dumlao