TheProvinceofNegros Orientalturned 122 this year after it became independent in January 1, 1890 by virtue of a Royal Decree issued by the King of Spain.
Negros Oriental Governor Roel Ragay Degamo led the simple but meaningful celebration which was also attended by the members of the Sanguniang Panlaalwigan, city and municipal mayors, representatives from the academe, and students, among others.
The celebration of the Negros Oriental Day was moved to January 31 instead of January 1 because the officials of the Provincial Government were busy attending to the needs of the victims of Tropical Storm Sendong.
Besides, this is not the first time that it was not celebrated on January 1st ever since some experts opined that the celebration can be done on any date within the month of January considering that January 1 is also the New Year’s Day.
Former Provincial Attorney and Administrator Jose “Pepe” Tiongson said the interpretation as to the date of the celebration shall be liberal and must not be constricted to the date of the issuance of the Royal Decree.
This opinion was also supported by other experts such as Dr. Valentino Sitoy who was the guest speaker of this year’s Negros Oriental Day Celebration. In his message delivered before a group of young students, among other members of the audience, Dr. Sitoy pointed out that theProvinceofNegros Orientaland its people are very unique because after 122 years they still enjoy the same brand of culture, tradition and common aspirations as in the years past.
On his part, Governor Degamo vowed to continue to hold the celebration as part of his desire to bring to the awareness of the public, especially the coming generations, how beautiful theprovinceofNegros Orientalis, its culture and tradition and most especially its history.
“Our coming generations should know very well our history, how we became a people, a province and as a place where we are at present.” Gov. Degamo said.