Laoag city: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has declared June 19 as a special non-working holiday in Laoag City in celebration of its 61st Charter Day, according to Proclamation No. 1278 signed on May 28 and released to media on June 1. "It is but fitting and proper that the people of the city of Laoag be given full opportunity to participate in the occasion and enjoy the celebration," the proclamation stated.
According to Philippines News Agency, the month-long Charter Day celebration officially kicked off Monday with a traditional "diana," a wake-up sound played by a brass band around the city, followed by a flag-raising ceremony and the ceremonial installation of digitized civil registry at City Hall. Laoag City Mayor James Bryan Alcid expressed his happiness and honor to lead this year's celebration for the first time as a local chief executive during his speech at the flag-raising ceremony.
The city government has outlined a series of activities for the month-long celebration. These include the rollout of the human papillomavirus vaccine to eligible beneficiaries for the entire month of June, a bloodletting activity, a folk dance and creative storytelling competition, awarding of top taxpayers, free civil registration, free X-rays, a mini job fair, a firearm licensing caravan, a battle of the bands, eco couture, and "Alisto Serbisyo," a community outreach program.
Laoag became a city in 1965 through Republic Act 4584, approved via plebiscite.
