Pursuant to the Republic Act 7287, February 24 of every year is declared as a special non-working holiday in the City of Cebu.
February 24 is a holiday in Cebu City
The holiday which is known as Cebu City Charter Day, in commemoration of its foundation anniversary was approved on March 24, 1992.
Looking back, it was on February 24, 1937, when the City of Cebu was born by virtue of Commonwealth Act No. 58 through the initiative of Don Vicente Rama, the father of Cebu City Charter.
The then municipality of Cebu who was under the Cebu Provincial Government became an independent Chartered City known as “Cebu City” which was inaugurated as the third city of the Philippines, after Manila in 1571 and Baguio in 1909.
AN ACT DECLARING FEBRUARY 24 OF EVERY YEAR A SPECIAL NONWORKING HOLIDAY IN THE CITY OF CEBU, TO BE KNOWN AS CEBU CITY CHARTER DAY
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:
SECTION 1. February 24 of every year is hereby declared a special nonworking holiday in the City of Cebu, to be known as Cebu City Charter Day, in commemoration of its foundation anniversary.
SEC. 2. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
Approved, March 24, 1992
Don Vicente Rama and the Cebu City Charter1
Vicente Rama (June 6, 1887 – December 24, 1956) was a Filipino Visayan legislator, publisher, and writer from Cebu, Philippines. Recognized as the Father of Cebu City, he authored the bill for its cityhood which was approved into law by October 20, 1936. He also founded the leading pre-war Cebuano periodical, Bag-ong Kusog.
Rama authored the bill that called for the creation of Cebu City, transforming the municipality to a chartered city. His vision was to endow more power to the new city under the law by decreasing its dependence on the national government’s revenue allotment. However, he met many challenges in gathering support for the approval of the bill and made many enemies even from local political leaders and organizations.
On October 20, 1936, the Commonwealth Act No. 58 creating the City of Cebu was approved and subsequently signed into law by President Manuel Quezon. On the inauguration of the City of Cebu, Alfredo V. Jacinto was appointed as the first mayor of the new city who was sworn into office by then-Secretary of the Interior Elpidio Quirino on February 24, 1937. Rama was then on hailed as the Father of Cebu City.
ALSO READ: Cebu’s best places to visit for an ultimate vacation
To get the complete list of holidays in 2019, check the Proclamation no. 555, s. 2018 (PDF), please click here.
Footnotes
- from Wikipedia
