Parang draws activities for 72nd Founding Day

PARANG, Maguindanao --- This municipal government has lined up various activities for the celebration of the town’s 72nd Foundation Anniversary on August 18.

Mayor Cahar P. Ibay said there are already ongoing activities, citing the six-in-one services. “Some of the services include medical, dental, circumcision, and veterinary and the collection of taxes for real property tax.”

The mayor said other festive activities are ball games, the bike challenge, “Kasalang Bayan,” clean-up drive, and the much awaited “LGU Night.”

“It will be a night full of fun and merry making since it is going to be a masquerade party. This will serve as the bonding moment of the LGU officials and employees,” he said.

Last August 2, a tree planting activity, led by Mayor Ibay and Vice Mayor Adnan C. Biruar,  was held at the Macasandag Watershed participated by stakeholders from the Philippine National Police, Marine Battalion Landing Team-2, Department of Education, Bureau of Fire Protection, barangay officials, other government line-agencies together with the municipal officials and employees.

“Despite the heavy rain, the activity turned out to be a huge success because of the collaboration and the participants' love for our Mother Nature,” Ibay said.

Mayor Ibay said they are grateful since the activities have been well received by the constituents.

“We welcome everybody and we want them to enjoy. Even if they are not from Parang, we invite them to join our merry-making activities, most especially on our culmination program on August 18. Indeed, there is inclusive good governance here,” Mayor Ibay said.

Since his assumption as the new local chief executive, Mayor Ibay has maintained what his predecessor has started, referring to former mayor Ibrahim Ibay.

“It has always been my thrust to promote good governance so I always encourage the LGU officials and employees to do the same. That they musbe good role models to our constituents and selflessly serve them. Even myself, I wear my big ID all the time. I want to be a good role model,” Mayor Ibay stressed.

        From his previous membership with the  Regional Legislative Assembly in which he did some policies for the defunct Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, he said it has been quite a challenge “shifting now as implementer of the laws.”

“It was a tough challenge but I have found the very reasons why I am here. This is my destiny to be able to help and bring Parang into greater heights,” he stressed.

The challenge now, he added, is their aim to fulfill their long time dream of reaching “cityhood”.

“Maybe not during my watch, but what important is we have started it. In God’s perfect time, Parang will become a city,” he said.

The theme for this year’s celebration is “Patuloy na Pagkakaisa Tungo sa IBAYong Kasaganahan ng Parang, MagandaNow”.

        Parang is a first class municipality in the province of Maguindanao. It is bordered to the north by Barira and Matanog, on the east by Buldon, and on the south is Sultan Mastura. It was created on August 18, 1947 through Executive Order No. 82. (Gilmhar A. Lao with Anne Acosta)