The Eastern Samar Community Blog

City of Borongan – Preparations are on the way for the 42nd Anniversary Celebration of the Province of Eastern Samar with no other than Her Excellency Madame President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo being expected to attend the culmination of the weeklong activities as she delivers an important message to cap the Provincial Anti-Poverty Summit on the 9th of this month.

The celebration is once again centered on the fight against poverty, which is one of the millennium development goals (MDGs), as conveyed by this year’s theme “Sapat Na Karunungan, Sagot Sa Kahirapan”.

This is also manifested through the scheduling of the Provincial Anti-Poverty Summit to be attended by local chief executives of the City of Borongan and the 22 municipalities of Eastern Samar together with their Planning and Development Coordinators. Also expected to attend the summit are members of non-government organizations, people’s organizations, religious organizations and faith communities, heads of national government agencies and provincial government offices, sectoral representatives, and many others.

The summit will begin in the afternoon of the 8th and will end on the afternoon of the 9th. However, participants are expected to register before lunchtime of the 8th so that the activities during the summit would be started as per schedule.

The scheduling is likely in accordance with the itinerary of the presidential visit.

Aside from the expected visit of the President, the other highlights of this year’s founding anniversary are the Anti Drugs Caravan, Alay Lakad 2007, Coastal Cleanup, Opening of Sports Activities, Extemporaneous Speaking Contest and Choral Competition on November 5.

Lined up also are the Opening of the Agri-Industrial Trade Fair and distribution of Farm inputs, Opening of Job Fair, Start of Medical-Dental Mission, and a Battle of Local Bands on Nov. 6; Drum and Lyre Competition, Painting Contest, Motorcade of Bb. Silangan Turismo Search, and Talent Night Bb. Silangan Turismo Search on Nov. 7; Street Parade and Festival of Festival Contest Proper, Start of Anti-Poverty Summit and Pageant and Coronation of Bb. Silangan Turismo on Nov. 8.

The whole week of activities will be culminated by the reception for Her Excellency President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, who will be the keynote speaker during the summit, to be followed by a Thanksgiving mass and the Karisyuhan, Awarding Rites and Recognition Night on Nov. 9.

Provincial Administrator Joseph Alan A. Limbauan also said that Governor Evardone is trying to fit into the tight schedule of the president a possible mass oath-taking ceremony for the punong barangays-elect in the Province of Eastern Samar.

“He has already instructed me to draft a communication to the mayors to prepare their newly elected punong barangays for this purpose,” said Limbauan.

The Provincial Administrator is hopeful that the President will honor the newly elected punong barangays by being the administering officer of the barangay leaders’ oath taking.

Another important schedule which coincides with the celebration is the arrival and installation of the new Bishop of Borongan, His Excellency Most Rev. Crispin B. Varquez. The Provincial Government will be hosting the civil reception for the new Bishop of the Diocese of Borongan on the night of the 7th at the lobby of the capitol building.

“Since the Bishop is not only a religious head but also a representative of the Catholic Church which is the single biggest Christian church, based in a sovereign City-State which is Vatican City, it is but right to accord him also the respect and honor due to a dignitary,” said an employee who is reacting to issues on why should government units spend for the installation of a Bishop who is a religious leader.

Invitations and communications with regards to the various and weeklong activities have been distributed throughout the weekend. However, the bulk of these would be distributed during the first day of activities on November 5.