CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar (June 16) — The captivating city of contrast Catbalogan City celebrated its 18th Charter Day today, June 16, 2025, highlighted by the launch of the 1st Regional Smart Communities Exposition and Networking Engagement (rSCENE) and a series of commemorative activities including a Thanksgiving Mass and a Charter Day concert.
The rSCENE event, held at Tandaya Hall, brought together national and local officials under the theme “Kauswagan: Harnessing Technology Towards Sustainable Development.”
The event was graced by DOST Secretary Dr. Renato U. Solidum Jr., DOST Undersecretary for Regional Operations Engr. Sancho Maborang, DOST Region VIII Director John Glenn Ocaña, and Representative Michael Reynolds Tan of the 2nd District of Samar.
Among the key activities during the exposition were the launching of the Smart and Sustainable Communities Roadmap for nine LGUs, ceremonial fund turnover to the cities of Catbalogan and Borongan, the presentation of Catbalogan’s Smart and Sustainable Journey, the launch of Project TanaW, and a city tour showcasing smart and sustainable infrastructure.
Earlier in the day, city officials and residents gathered for a Thanksgiving Mass at St. Bartholomew Church. The celebration will continue tonight with a Charter Day Concert along Rizal Avenue, featuring performances by Nyoy Volante, Sitti Navarro, and local artists.
This year’s Charter Day theme, “𝘋𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘩𝘰 𝘜𝘴𝘸𝘢𝘨 𝘊𝘢𝘵𝘣𝘢𝘭𝘰𝘨𝘢𝘯: 𝘚𝘰𝘸𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘚𝘦𝘦𝘥𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘊𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘴,” emphasizes the city’s direction toward inclusive development and future-oriented reforms.
Catbalogan’s cityhood was formalized on June 16, 2007, following a plebiscite where over 92% of voters favored cityhood under Republic Act No. 9391. The city faced legal challenges in 2008 when the Supreme Court declared the cityhood law unconstitutional, but a reversal of that decision in 2009 restored its status.
From its roots as a mission center and cabecera of Samar Island since 1616, Catbalogan has evolved into a dynamic city under successive leadership, including Vice Mayor Coefredo “Tekwa” Uy, recognized as the Father of Cityhood, Councilor Stephany Uy-Tan, the city’s first lady mayor, and current Mayor Dexter Uy, the youngest to assume the post.
The celebration continues this week with the Smart Communities Exposition running until June 18, and the Samar Island Drumbeat Competition on the same day.
Mayor Dexter Uy is set to deliver the State of the City Address on June 29, while the Inauguration and Oath-Taking of Newly Elected Officials and Employees’ Night will cap the month’s festivities on June 30.
| By Ricky Bautista
