IPIL, Zamboanga Sibugay -- February 24 is a non-working holiday for the province, as it will celebrate its 16th Founding Anniversary.
Presidential Proclamation 138, signed by President Rodrigo Duterte last January 17, declared February 24 as holiday to give all people of the province the opportunity to celebrate.
The eight-day celebration will start February 17 and will culminate on February 24 with different activities lined up "to make the celebration meaningful."
In a statement released by the office of Governor Wilter Palma, the festivities will "be displaying the socio-economic development aspects of the province."
The celebration has a theme, "Sa pagbag-o adunay kalinaw ug kalamboan (There is peace and progress in change)." It will kick off on February 17 with agri-fishery, tourism potential and sports activity.
Dr. Ulysses J. Chiong, chairman of the Araw ng Zamboanga Sibugay, said the 16 municipalities in the province are expected to join the agri-fishery and tourism trade fair.
On February 17, a mass will be celebrated and it will be followed by the parade and program.
Zamboanga Sibugay was created on November 17, 2000 pursuant to Republic Act 8973. It comprises 16 municipalities with 389 barangays. It was formerly the third congressional district of Zamboanga del Sur. (VoxPop Philippines)