Today, July 1, is special day in this city as it markls its 46 th charter day.

Forty-years ago today, then Mayor Venancio Inting became the first city mayor of then municipality of Tagbilaran. Since then, the city has metamorphosed into a bustling metropolis from a sleepy town 46 years ago.

This year’s charter day them is : A Legacy of Nurturing People First.

The city government has lined up activities for the event. Mayor’s Date with the Barangay Series started on June 15 and will last until June 30, 2012. A city-wide Plastic Clean-up in all barangays, all city schools, all business establishments, city public markets, and the whole City Hall will be held on Friday, June 29, 2012. This will be followed by a City Charter Day Mass and a City Hall Family Friday Night Out. A Charter Day fun run: Run for Mabaw Reef signals the start of the activities on July 1, followed by a City Hall family day of fun games and enjoyment. The Charter Day Awards Program will be held on July 2, 2012 at Island City Mall (ICM) activity center which includes the launching of the Green Initiatives for Tagbilaran, the Senior Citizen’s Code, and the Millennium Development Goals - Family-based Actions on Children and their Environs in the Slums (MDG-FACES). There will also be an exhibit of the city’s milestones and the city government’s Flagship Programs from 2004 to 2012 at the ICM activity center.

The event will be culminated by a showcase of knowledge and skills by the different city schools entitled Amuma: Life Skills Festival for the City’s Children also at the ICM activity center. Since today falls on a Sunday, tomorrow, July 2, was declared by Pres. Benigno Aquino III as special non-working day in Tagbilaran City. The rest of Bohol is a regular working day. The Chief Executive issued the declaration through Proclamation No. 417 signed by Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. on June 27, to give the people of Tagbilaran City the full opportunity to celebrate and participate in the occasion with appropriate ceremonies. The city marks the commemoration of its Charter Day on July 1 which falls on a Sunday. President Aquino granted the request of the Eleventh Sangguniang Panlungsod to declare July 2 as a special (non-working) day instead of July 1 in the city. Tagbilaran became a chartered city on July 1, 1966 by virtue of Republic Act No. 4660. (js)