Matanog celebrates founding day, Eid’l Adha

PEACE SIGN is altogether given by (L-R) Matanog MLGOO Farida Musa, Vice Mayor Sanaira I. Ali-Imam, Mayor Mohammad-Ali S. Guro, Governor Esmail G. Mangudadatu, Japanese investor Kazuo Sato, 2nd District Maguindanao Board Member King Jhazzer, Brig. Gen. Jesus Sarsagat, and 37th IB commanding officer Lt. Col.  Roberto Go on occasion of Matanog’s  43rd Foundation Day and Eid’l Adha Festival 2018. (Anne Acosta) 

THE local government of the booming town of Matanog in Maguindanao, headed by development-oriented Mayor Mohammad Ali S. Guro, celebrated their 43rd Founding Anniversary  and Eid’l Adha Festival 2018 last August 25, bannering the theme “Sustaining Governance through Religious and Transformative Services.”

Mayor Guro, in his opening message, extended his gratefulness to the people and different sectors behind the success of the celebration and for their support to the administration’s development initiatives.

“Our gratitude and thankfulness to our very own Governor Esmael ”Toto” G. Mangudadatu for his untiring and unconditional support to make this locality a progressive and more developed as what you have seen right now,” the mayor said as he greeted the provincial governor.

Turning on his constituents, he said: “You have observed how our town has  developed…  we have grown toward progression and together we continue with our stride to make our town worth livable with the opportunities we try concertedly to build together.”

Among the physical developments are street lighting, commercial buildings, concreting of farm-to-market roads, and eco-tourism spot, among others, which have spurred economic activities and other forms of investments.  

 The mayor also thanked the Armed Forces of the Philippines     and Philippine National Police for preserving the peace with shared efforts of peace multipliers in the town.  

The festivity started August 21 and culminated on the celebration day with a float parade, cook fest, and Mayor’s Night.

Among the programmed events were Children’s Hour, Palarong Pinoy, booth contest, fun-run, zumba, parlor games, kulintang ensemble, Qurban Day, ground breaking of the Municipal Town Center, palosibo, palo sa palayok, kambaebai, field demonstration, and siga sa manggis.

Governor Mangudadatu, as one of the guests, gave his inspirational message to the cross-cultural crowd that gathered in the municipal gymnasium.

Keynote message of Brig. Gen. Cirilito E. Sobejana, commanding officer of the 6th Infantry (Kampilan) Division, was read by Brig. Gen. Jesus Sarsagat, commander of the 603rd Brigade, reiterating the cooperation and unified efforts of the constituency and support agencies in pursuing the path toward peace as this is the people’s shared responsibility “if you want a truly developed community.”

In his message, Brig. Gen. Sobejana extended his gratitude to the leadership of the municipal government and different sectors for supporting the mandates and being part of the pursuits of the AFP.

He said the Foundation Day is a celebration of the accomplishments of the town as “it has blossomed beautifully in its own time… This is a fair share of every one to see the present stage it is experiencing.”

The celebration, he continued, is a dedication to Allah as the folks observe the Eid’l Adha 2018, “a reflection of the sacrifices for those who stride to work for the good of the community.”

The religious event, he said, transforms the sacrifices of people to what people benefit in their time. “It is a lesson for sacrifice and what it brings as a result of giving service to the community.”

“Abraham is a reflection of sacrifice,” he upended in his message to the folks.

He said soldiers have also learned to sacrifice “to give others the chance to sleep  soundly at night and live comfortably without fear… all  these in service of the Filipino people.”

He further said that Matanog has faced tremendous challenges but the “support of stakeholders is rewarding enough in fulfillment of the goals set in a given time… all these offered as a sacrifice of responsible people behind the stride.” (Anne Acosta)