Job fairs, skills demo, fiestas, etc. mark ‘Kalayaan ‘09’ celeb
Iloilo joins the nationwide celebration of this year’s “Independence Day” with both “good news” and “bad news” for the government.
All good are the scheduled plans in place by local government units and government agencies with usual flag-raising ceremonies as highlight. Adding to the day’s fervor are job fairs here alongside an extensive “Kalayaan Celebration” by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda).
A first of its kind, Tesda showcases its graduates in thousands of Presidential scholars out to display skills learned over the months. From spa therapy, coffee bar services, flower arrangements, bartending, other special skills will likewise be demonstrated with a city hotel as venue. Tesda is instrumental in providing skills training and employment in cell phone repairs, cake decorating and novelty item-making.
This year alone, Western Visayas region have 2,656 in Tesda scholars through the Pangulong Gloria Scholarship, an initiative of Secretary Augusto Syjuco, TESDA Director General.
Meantime, it would be a religious “Independence Day” for the people of Tigbauan with the day coinciding to its Patronal Fiesta. In honor of St. John De Sahagun, a special mass will mark the feast in this southern Iloilo town. However as in past years of commemoration, the local government here has no elaborate plans unlike the town’s “devotional” and traditional fiesta celebration.
In nearby Oton, town officials led by Mayor Vincent Flores will join locals in the flag-raising ceremony at the town plaza. Activities further include floral offerings and a program honoring the country’s heroes. Town employees have been enjoined to attend as well as various civic groups here.
In Guimbal, it would be a double celebration with Mayor Christine Garin leading the day’s event. Guimbalanons will witness today the blessing and inauguration of the newly-acquired facilities of the Rural Health Unit immediately after the Independence Day program.
As for the bad news, any and all government celebrations such as this year’s “Kalayaan” day festivities are expected to be met with protests.
For days now anti-government street rallies have been heard and seen with its own “highlight” on Independence Day.
Red-flag bearing militant groups will once again adorn the city streets and landmarks to manifest continued objection to government policies.
Orders are out for the usual maximum police tolerance on street protesters. Traffic is also expected to slow down in protest areas with maximum police visibility here.