Araw ng Mati festivities opened

MATI CITY, Davao Oriental 16 June 2016 – Araw ng Mati 2016, which runs from June 15 up to 19, was formally opened yesterday (June 15) at Mati Park and Baywalk.

Mayor Carlo P. Rabat gratefully greeted everyone on this festive occasion. “On behalf of the City Government of Mati, it is my pleasure to welcome you all to this Opening Ceremonies jointly celebrating the Pujada Bay Fest and our Foundation Day as a City.

These twin celebrations over a period of five days have evolved and henceforth as one will now be referred to as the ARAW NG MATI, for brevity, easy recall and as is common practice all over the country in celebrating foundation days. This is a fitting nomenclature for this yearly celebration in re-living the significance of these occasions into one grand commemoration.” he said.

Mayor continued saying that “Araw ng Mati thus symbolizes the rising of a City from its humble origins, proud of the grandeur of its natural wonders which breathe life, vibrancy and progress into it.”

Mayor Carlo further expounds that PROGRESO PA MORE will now serve as the rallying point both repackaging or boosting Mati’s usual tourism, social service, economic, socio-cultural and other pro-people programs anchored this time from a platform of Change in his first term to a platform of Continuing Progress in this second term.

The ceremony paved the way to series of events beginning with Agri-Tourism Trade Fair that highlights the potentials and achievements of the 26 barangays in their continuing efforts to attain remarkable progress in their developmental undertakings year after year, through the City’s infusion of essential budget for viable projects and programs that contributes to the development of the City of Mati as a whole. And as their gesture of gratitude, barangay officials and functionaries will showcase their talents in singing and dancing and many more during the Barangay Pasasalamat nightly entertainment.

In attendance to the said celebration are Governor-elect Nelson L. Dayanghirang, 2nd District Board Member Anacleto Macatabog representing Governor Corazon N. Malanyaon, DILG Provincial Director Yvette Tolentino-Sunga, 701stInfantry Brigade Commander Col. Bienvenido Datuin Jr, Vice Mayor Glenda Rabat-Gayta and the members of the Sangguniang Panglungsod.

As the weeklong celebration continues, Mayor Carlo invites each one to keep up our drive to the City’s welfare and development with our mantra, PROGRESO PA MORE! (CIO)