The province of Negros Oriental marked its 121st anniversary with solemn yet meaningful rites on Jan. 3 infront of the provincial Capitol.
The charter day celebration kicked off with a mass officiated by Rev. Fr. Rev. Fr. Enrique Balongag, who, in his homily, stressed how blessed the Province has been with its peace and order and good living conditions.
Negros Island used to be one province until Jan. 1, 1890 when it was divided into what is now Negros Oriental and Negros Occidental by a royal decree issued by then Gov. General Valeriano Weyler.
After the mass, the Philippine National Police performed a processional and gun salute with then Acting Gov. Roel Degamo and Ayungon Mayor Edsel Enardecido leading the raising of the Philippine and Negros Oriental flags.
Afterwards, a program was held during which Degamo gave the welcome address, which was followed by the keynote speech of Dr. Henry A. Sojor, an Outstanding Oriental Negrense awardee.
Sojor, then a Provincial Board Member, initiated the first observance of the Provincial Charter Day in 1987 on the run-up to the Province’s Centennial in 1990.