Manila City to celebrate 449th anniv by honoring front-liners

Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko” Moreno Domagoso said Monday evening that Malacanang already declared June 24 as a non-working holiday in the city. (File Photo: Isko Moreno Domagoso/Facebook)

MANILA – The City of Manila will commemorate its 449th founding anniversary on Wednesday with a series of activities honoring front-liners and a groundbreaking ceremony of the new and modern Ospital ng Maynila.

Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko” Moreno Domagoso said Monday evening that Malacanang already declared June 24 as a non-working holiday in the city.

“Sa bisa ng Proclamation 969, dineklara na po ng Malakanyang na ang darating na Araw ng Maynila sa Miyerkules ay special non-working holiday. Wala pong trabaho, special non-working holiday ang buong Maynila (based on Proclamation 969, Malacanang declares this coming Araw ng Maynila a non-working holiday)” Domagoso said.

In line with the celebration, the Department of Tourism, Culture and Arts of Manila (DTCAM) is organizing activities for the commemoration of the Araw ng Maynila, to be led by Domagoso.

DTCAM director Charlie Duñgo said wreath-laying ceremonies will be done at the Rajah Sulayman Park at 8 a.m. and at the tomb of the founder of Manila, Miguel Lopez de Legazpi, at the San Agustin Church at 8:30 am.

A groundbreaking ceremony of the “new” Ospital ng Maynila will be held at 9 a.m. to be followed by a virtual meeting with Manila’s healthcare front-liners.

Both Domagoso and Vice Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan will attend a noon mass at the Manila Cathedral.

At 6:30 p.m., simultaneous lighting will be held in the different landmarks of the city such as the Manila Clock Tower, the National Museum, Rizal Monument, Fort Santiago, Post Office Headquarter, Jones Bridge, and the Mehan Garden.

In the evening, the DTCAM and the Manila Public Information Office will be holding a Facebook live program to honor the city’s front-liners and recognize their bravery and dedication in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Dungo gave assurance that enforced health safety protocols like the physical distancing and wearing of face masks will be observed during the commemoration.

Proclamation 969 states that “It is but fitting and proper that the people of the City of Manila be given full opportunity to celebrate and participate in the occasion with appropriate ceremonies, subject to community quarantine, social distancing, and other public health measures”.