Acting Bacolod Mayor Jude Thaddeus Sayson will lead city officials during the flag-raising and wreath-laying ceremonies at the Bacolod Public Plaza at 6:30 a.m. today as Bacolod City celebrates the 114th Philippine Independence Day.

The city officials will be joined by Senator Antonio Trillanes IV who is the guest of honor and speaker during the Independence Day program that will follow at the Bacolod Arts, Youth and Sports (BAYS) Center.

Trillanes formally entered public service in 1991 as a cadet in the Philippine Military Academy where he graduated cum laude in 1995, while earning a degree in BS Naval System. He took up graduate studies at the University of the Philippines when he got his masters degree in Public Administration major in Public Policy and Program Management.

In May 2007, Trillanes was elected to the Senate as guest candidate of the anti-government Genuine Opposition ticket, and assumed office on June 30, 2007.

The 74th Charter Day signing commemoration kicks off today after the 114th Independence Day program..

Councilor Em Legaspi-Ang, chairman of the Independence Day and Charter Day celebrations, said they are waiting for Malacañang to declare June 18 a special non-working holiday and Sayson is working closely with the Palace to see to it that the declaration be issued soon.

If not declared, they have C.O. 588 “Commemorating every June 18 and every year thereafter as the date of the signing into law of Commonwealth Act No. 326, or the Charter of the City of Bacolod,” she said

After the program at the BAYS Center, the Independence Day program will be held at SM City-Bacolod and later at the Bacolod City Government Center where the kick-off ceremonies of the weeklong celebration and opening of the trade fair exhibit and carnival will be held.

Meanwhile, the 3rd Infantry Division of the Philippine Army is also joining the nation in commemorating the 114th Independence Day.

Maj. Enrico Gil Ileto, 3rd ID Public Affairs Office chief, said this year's theme: "Kalayaan pananagutan ng bayan para sa tuwid na daan", truly goes deep into every soldier's heart as the Army continues to adhere to the principle of transparency and accountability in all its undertakings and transactions for the nation's freedom.

He said June 12's simultaneous flag-raising from the Division headquarters, brigades and down to the battalions, will again be a symbol of Western Visayas independence.

A ribbon-cutting for the historical photo exhibit and cultural show will be held at the SM Event Centre at 4 p.m. today, while the employees day will start tomorrow with a thanksgiving mass at 7:45 a.m. to be followed by sports activity and cultural show at the government center grounds. The releasing of Chinese lanterns will be held at 8 p.m.

On Thursday, the registration of membership for senior citizens will start at 8 a.m. at the government center, to be followed by a cookfest at 10 a.m., and San Mig concert night at 9 a.m..

Other activities are a 2-day jobs fair to be held by the Public Employment Services Office at Robinson’s Place on Friday and Saturday as part of the Sangguniang Kabataan Day, while Crooner Richard Poon will perform at the Chalet at L’Fisher Hotel at 7 p.m. on Friday.

On Saturday, the GMA Kapuso Night will be held at 9 p.m. while a fun run/walk, ride (bike) activity will be held at 6 a.m. on Sunday from the Capitol lagoon to the government center.

The Ang Banwahanon awards night will follow in the evening at the government center.*CGS

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