Zambo. Norte celebrates 60th founding anniv

By Franklin P. Gumapon

Thursday 7th of June 2012

DIPOLOG CITY, June 7 (PIA) -- Ecumenical prayers and thanksgiving mass were held yesterday in commemoration of the 60th founding anniversary of the province of Zamboanga del Norte.

Carved out from the Zamboanga province on June 6, 1952, Zamboanga del Norte became a thriving province in the northwestern part of Mindanao.

In his homily during a mass held at the Capitol Plaza, Monsignor Edgar M. Agura said that the past governors of the province had greatly contributed to its growth and development through their major programs and projects like the “Palayan ng Bayan” in Kalawit Town by former governor Virginio Lacaya, the establishment of an agro-technical science high school in Dipolog City by Governor Alberto Q. Ubay, and many others.

He also mentioned that the first governor of the province was the late Felipe B. Azcuna, who also had once served as governor of the Zamboanga province.

Provincial Governor Rolando E. Yebes also took pride of the awards that he received from the Civil Service Commission, Department of Interior and Local Government, and others, in recognition of his performance as the province’s 13th governor. He is now in his last term as provincial governor.

Zamboanga del Norte’s 60th founding anniversary was capped by the Hudyaka Festival which opened last May 30. Colorful booths selling farm products, novelty items, and other wares have been put up at the Hudyaka site in the Zamboanga del Norte National High School grounds in Dipolog City.

The booths set up by the municipalities also present their respective agri-tourism potentials.

It could be recalled that Republic Act 711 caused the creation of the provinces of Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga del Sur from the Zamboanga province on June 6, 1952. The twin provinces had 11 municipalities each, with Dipolog and Pagadian as provincial capitals of Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga del Sur, respectively.

The first municipalities composing Zamboanga del Norte were Dapitan, Rizal, Dipolog, Katipunan, Sindangan, Labason, Siocon, Polanco, Piñan, Liloy, and Manukan. (JPA/FPG/PIA 9-Zamboanga del Norte)