CATBALOGAN CITY – Catbalogan City is preparing to celebrate its 17th Charter Day anniversary on June 16, 2024.
The festivities commenced on Friday, June 7, 2024, with a First Friday Mass and Thanksgiving Offering at the Sangguniang Panlungsod Session Hall, attended by all City Hall employees. This event marked the beginning of a month-long celebration featuring various activities such as contests, fairs, concerts, and other engaging events designed to unite the community and showcase the city’s rich culture and spirit.
The celebration theme, “Derecho Uswag Catbalogan: Sowing the Seeds of Changes,” is part of Phase 1 (2023-2028) of the Derecho Uswag Development Agenda, which aims to achieve Catbalogan City’s 2040 Vision. Numerous activities will be led by different city government offices in collaboration with various agencies, partners, and stakeholders.
To highlights the 17th Charter Anniversary, the city is also prepared the following activities:
June 12 — Philippine Independence Day Wreath Laying Program at the Capitol Grounds and Market Market Miyerkules (MMK) at the City Plaza;
June 13 — City Hall at Your Doorstep Caravan cum Serbisyo Caravan at Barangay Darahuway Daco;
June 14 — Job and Service Fair at Tandaya Hall; Buntis Congresd at Cocina de Cabral; and Pasidungog 2024: Employees Awards Night at SSU Gymnasium;
June 16 — Seagrass Planting at Buri Baras Beach, and Charter Day Concert at City Plaza;
June 17 — “Love Catbalogan, Love Eastern Visayas and Love Philippines” Vlog Contest;
June 18 — GFPS, LCPC and LCAT Councils Meetings at Sophias Catering Venue;
June 19 — Pintakasi para kan Pepe Clean-Up Drive;
June 20 — Bloodletting activity at Barangay 10;
June 21-30 — City Hall Sportsfest;
June 22 — Free and Equal Day and DRAGbalogan 2025 at City Plaza.
Manaragat Festival 2024
Earlier, on June 5, 2024, the Catbalogan City Tourism Council (CTC) and the Local Culture & Arts Council (LCAC) held their second quarter joint council meeting at the Sangguniang Panlungsod Session Hall. City Councilor Stephany Uy-Tan, representing City Mayor Dexter Uy, presided over the meeting as the Alternate Chair for both councils.
The agenda included a comprehensive review of tourism statistics, highlighting their positive impact on the city’s economy. The councils discussed preparations and innovations not only for the upcoming Independence Day and 17th Charter Day but also for the 2024 Manaragat Festival in August.
Additionally, the endorsement of delegates and representatives of Catbalogan City to the 2024 Tandaya Festival and the raffle of assignments among schools for cultural presentations and festival showdowns this August were confirmed.
“Damo nga salamat han padayon nga pagsuporta han magkadurudilain nga mga activities hit ciudad labi na gud ha parti han aton cultural heritage ngan tourism nga basi han report kanina, nakakabulig diri la ha ekonomiya han ciudad, kundi para mas maupay pa an mga talento han Catbaloganon,” City Councilor Tan expressed warmly, thanking everyone for their continued support of the city’s cultural heritage and tourism efforts, which not only boost the local economy but also enhance the talents of Catbaloganons.
Under the leadership of City Mayor Dexter Uy, the CTCAIO has been proactive in initiating innovations to enhance the Manaragat Festival and other tourism and cultural programs, providing a platform for local talents to showcase their skills and passion.
“Waray iba nga maghihigugma hit aton ciudad ngan hit aton kultura kundi hi kita mismo nga mga Catbaloganon, sanglit ugupan ta,” Councilor Uy-Tan urged, emphasizing the importance of collective support for the city’s culture and heritage.
History of Catbalogan City
Catbalogan City is a key component city in Eastern Visayas and the capital of the province of Samar. Situated on the western seaboard of the island, facing Maqueda Bay, it is an important port in the Visayas.
Jesuit missionaries arrived in 1596, but archaeological findings indicate that Catbalogan was already a thriving settlement and fishing community. The city’s name comes from “balaug,” a shrub that once grew abundantly in the area.
Catbalogan became the capital of the historical province of Samar in 1616, a status it held until 1965 when the island was divided into Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, and Samar through Republic Act No. 4221. Over the centuries, Catbalogan faced numerous pirate attacks, which diminished over time with the construction of defensive infrastructures and the opening of the Philippines to foreign trade in the 19th century.
Efforts to convert Catbalogan from a town to a city began post-war and culminated in the passage of Republic Act No. 9391. The law, signed by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on March 15, 2007, and ratified through a plebiscite on June 16, 2007, is now commemorated annually as Charter Day.
