City celebrates 60th Liberation of Panay

The city government will be spearheading the celebration on March 18 th .of the 60th anniversary of the Liberation of Panay from Japanese forces.

The city government is working in close coordination with the Iloilo Provincial Government, the Department of Tourism (DOT), the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the 6 th Military District World War II Veterans Association, Inc.(MDWWIIVAI), to ensure the success of this year's commemoration.

Heeding the suggestion of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, Mayor Jerry P. Treñas issued an executive order creating an ad-hoc body that will organize and implement activities during the celebration.

The ad-hoc committee is composed of Treñas and Governor Neil Tupas as honorary chairmen, and Councilor Merci-Drilon Garcia as the chairperson. DOT regional director Edwin Trompeta,   MDWWIIVAI president Rodolfo Lataquin, provincial administrator Manuel Mejorada, DFA regional director OIC Liza Jane Estalilla, and executive assistants Benito Jimena and Arturo Dicen, Jr. were designated as members.

Ad-hoc committee chair Drilon-Garcia also created different sub-committees to take charge of the various aspects of the celebration. These sub-bodies are the reception, tours and transportation, under the DOT; the secretariat and invitation under city tourism officer Heloise Javellana; finance and solicitations under Jimena; the badges and souvenirs under Captain Cesar Capellan; the security and traffic under the PNP; the program and protocol under the Governor's office; wreaths, under the DFA; and accommodation for the guests under Drilon-Garcia herself.

Meanwhile, preparations are now being finalized for the arrival of the ambassadors from allied nations who will grace the celebration.   Among those expected to come are the ambassadors of Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom and the United States of America. (Eireen A. Manikan/PIO)