President Benigno S. Aquino III has issued Proclamation No. 1258 as a special (non-working) holiday in Butuan City, Agusan del Norte to mark the celebration of the Balangay Festival on May 19.

The President likewise issued Proclamation No. 1260 declaring August 2 as a special (non-working) holiday to allow the people of Butuan City to celebrate and participate in the commemoration of “Adlaw Hong Butuan”.

The Chief Executive also declared June 15 as a special (non-working) holiday in the province of Pampanga and Angeles City by virtue of Proclamation No. 1259.

The eruption of Mount Pinatubo in Zambales on June 15, 1991 was considered as the second-largest volcanic eruption in the twentieth century that caused massive destruction in the Provinces of Zambales, Pampanga, Bataan, Tarlac and Nueva Ecija.

“In response to the tragedy, the then late President Corazon C. Aquino created Presidential Task Mount Pinatubo to fast track the recovery and assimilation of the affected families to the mainstreams of our society by providing them housing units in safe areas and livelihood activities; and to render appropriate tribute to those who perished, as well as to those who survived and to those who helped in the relocation, rehabilitation and recovery of Pinatubo affected families, the Province of Pampanga will hold commemorative programs on 15 June 2016 in remembrance of that ruinous volcanic eruption of Mount Pinatubo and to acknowledge in fitting public ceremonies the resiliency of the Kapampangans to rise from any form of adversity,” read the proclamation.

“It is but fitting and proper that the people of the Province of Pampanga and City of Angeles be given full opportunity to celebrate and participate in the occasion with appropriate ceremonies,” the proclamation stated.

All three proclamations were signed by Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. by authority of President Aquino. PND (jm)