CHARTER DAY. A panoramic view of Catbalogan City in Samar in this undated photo. The Catbalogan City government has set aside traditional charter anniversary activities on Tuesday (June 16, 2020) as it concentrated on efforts to fight Covid-19. (Photo courtesy of Catbalogan city government)
TACLOBAN CITY – The Catbalogan City government has set aside traditional charter anniversary activities on Tuesday as it concentrated on efforts to fight the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).
In his message for the city’s 13th Charter Anniversary, Mayor Dexter Uy said all activities in the city are geared towards ending the health crisis that has disrupted the city’s economic activities in the past three months.
“Everyone knows that amid these kinds of situations, we did not lose hope and remained faithful. As we face the threats of (the) Covid-19 pandemic, I have a strong faith in God, and, with the unity of my fellow officials and Catbaloganons, that we will survive this,” Uy said.
He said they have opted to put less flair on the yearly celebration to focus on containing the spread of the disease and other priority activities in response to the health crisis.
“Amidst the current crisis faced not just by our city, but of the whole world, may we find the deeper meaning of this significant milestone in the hearts of every people of Catbalogan, that we will rise from this challenge soon,” Uy said.
Since the coronavirus outbreak in the country, the city has confirmed a total of nine cases, including one recovery and zero death, according to the Department of Health (DOH).
The local government has conducted relief operations since the start of the community quarantine in March and distributed health kits to more than 32,000 families.
Catbalogan, home to more than 104,000 people, is the capital of Samar province.
On March 15, 2007, Catbalogan attained its cityhood by virtue of Republic Act 9391. Its residents overwhelmingly ratified this change through a plebiscite on June 16, 2007, with more than 92 percent "Yes" votes for cityhood.
Catbalogan City was founded in October 1596 by Spanish Jesuit priests and became the capital of the entire island of Samar. (PNA)
