LGU Ozamiz celebrates 124th Independence Day

The City Government of Ozamiz, led by Vice Mayor Simplicia “Bebie” Neri together with the City Council, gathers together at the Prospera Park to pay tribute to the Filipinos who fought to have the country's liberty and independence.(AONC)

Two years post-pandemic, the city government of Ozamiz celebrated the 124th Independence Day with a flag-raising ceremony and wreath-laying to Dr. Jose Rizal’s statue in front of City Hall.

The Independence Day celebration with the theme, “Kalayaan 2022: Pag-suong sa Hamon ng Panibagong Bukas” (Rise Towards the Challenge of a New Beginning)” was held at the Prospera Park, Ozamiz City Hall Grounds, June 12.

”Espesyal kaayo nato ni ka’y mao kini ang atong kagawasan. Naa ta’y katungod o freedom of speech, freedom to live life we want to live ug atong dako nga responsibilidad na atong e-maintain ang kahapsay ug kalinaw sa atong nasud labi na gayud sa atong dakbayan,” Ozamiz City Councilor Lorlie Cipres said.

(This is special for us since this is our freedom. We have the right to freedom of speech, freedom to live the life we want to live and we have a great responsibility to maintain the peace and order in our country especially to our city)

On behalf of 2nd District Rep. elect Sancho Fernando Oaminal, Vice Mayor Simplicia “Bebie” Neri shared the sense of patriotism that our ancestors have given for our land and country.

“I hope that a feeling of patriotism to our country is still burning in our hearts until the next generations to come. That is why, we set ourselves as an example to the young generations so they would also develop a feeling of patriotism to our country and values of freedom and liberty from our forefathers that the country is worth fighting for,” she added.

Meanwhile, in his social media post, Representative elect Sancho Fernando Oaminal said that this year’s theme emphasizes recovery and the rise of the country from the problems of the past.

“As we celebrate Independence Day 2022, we also welcome a new set of leaders to lead us as we gradually recover from the pandemic. May we continue to remember and recognize our heroes then who fought for our freedom and unity, and our modern day heroes, our frontliners, who have remained brave and steadfast to ensure the safety of the Filipinos and the country in general, and may we continue to uphold the ideals of peace, democracy, cooperation and solidarity,” he said.

A flag raising ceremony was held followed by the offering of wreath to the monuments of Dr. Jose Rizal, Volley of Fire, Taps, and Philippine songs and dances.

The celebration was also attended by the members of the Ozamiz City Council headed by Vice Mayor Simplicia Neri, LGU-Ozamiz family, representatives from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Commission on Audit (COA), Department of Education (DepEd), Philippine National Police (PNP), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Maritime Police, Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Philippine Veterans, Liga ng mga Barangay, Knights of Columbus, Indigenous Peoples, Ozamiz Chamber of Commerce, Filipino Chamber of Commerce, Religious sector, Ozamiz City Bankers Association, and the Ozamiz City Muslim Association, Inc.(Shaine Mae R. Nagtalon/PIA-10/Misamis Occidental)