BACOLOD City — Mayor Greg Gasataya reminded residents that June 18 is a special non-working holiday in Bacolod City in celebration of the city’s 88th Charter Day and urged motorists to comply with traffic rerouting measures that will be implemented during the festivities.
The holiday is mandated under Republic Act No. 11146, which declares June 18 of every year as “Bacolod City Charter Day” in commemoration of the signing of Commonwealth Act No. 326 by President Manuel L. Quezon, officially creating the City of Bacolod.
Gasataya said the law was among his key legislative accomplishments during his tenure as Bacolod City’s lone district representative in Congress.
“It is a non-working holiday by virtue of the law I authored in 2017, which officially recognized June 18 as Bacolod City’s Charter Day,” he said.
A series of activities has been lined up for the celebration, including a grand military and civic parade on the morning of June 18.
The mayor also announced that Negros Occidental Third District Rep. Javier Miguel Benitez has been invited as guest speaker for the “Mga Adlaw sang Paghanduraw” program, one of the highlights of the Charter Day celebration scheduled in the evening at the Bacolod City Government Center.
Gasataya said the invitation was extended in line with the city’s efforts to strengthen its bid for inclusion in the UNESCO Creative Cities Network under the Gastronomy category by 2027.
“Congressman Benitez chairs the House Committee on Creative Industry. We believe his participation is a valuable opportunity to highlight and promote the creative industries in Bacolod City,” the mayor said.
He added that Benitez immediately accepted the invitation.
Meanwhile, the Bacolod Traffic and Transport Management Department (BTTMD) has released a traffic advisory detailing temporary rerouting schemes for public utility vehicles (PUVs) and motorists due to the parade and related activities.
Executive Assistant Levy Pangue, chairperson of the Parade Committee, said participants are expected to assemble at 6 a.m., with the parade scheduled to start at 6:30 a.m. and proceed to SM City Bacolod, the venue of the main program.
According to Pangue, parade participants will converge at two assembly points.
Participants coming from the southern area will gather along Lizares Street and proceed through Araneta Street, Gonzaga Street, Gatuslao Street, and Rizal Street en route to SM City Bacolod.
Those from the northern area will assemble at South Capitol Road and march along Lacson Street before turning right onto Rizal Street toward the venue.
Around 500 vehicles are expected to join the parade.
To ensure public safety and the smooth flow of traffic, approximately 60 traffic enforcers will be deployed in affected areas.
Pangue said traffic disruptions are expected to be minimal since participating offices and establishments are limited to two vehicles each.
Motorists are advised to follow the instructions of traffic enforcers and observe temporary traffic rerouting measures in areas where road closures will be implemented.
Affected public utility vehicle routes include Bata, Mandalagan, Banago, PTA-Taytay, Alijis, Tangub, Singcang-Airport, Shopping, Fortune Towne, and Homesite.
City officials urged the public to plan their travel accordingly and cooperate with traffic authorities to ensure the orderly and successful celebration of Bacolod City’s 88th Charter Day./PN
