Aquino declares August 2 as non-working holiday in Butuan

President Benigno S. Aquino III has declared Thursday, August 2, 2012 as a special non-working holiday in Butuan city.

The President, through Proclamation No. 383 said on this day, the City of Butuan will mark the celebration of its 62nd Charter Day, dubbed "Adlaw Hong Butuan".

The proclamation provides residents the opportunity to celebrate and participate in the occasion with appropriate ceremonies.

Meanwhile, highlighting the charter day celebration is the opening of the 21st Mindanao Business Conference where the city government plays host to this annual gathering of business tycoons and entrepreneurs in Mindanao.

The event is also hosted in cooperation with the provincial government of Agusan del Norte and the Butuan Chamber of Commerce and Industry Foundation, Inc.

The charter day celebration kicked-off Sunday where a fluvial parade was conducted at the Agusan River, in time with the feast of Santa Ana, patron saint of Brgy. Leon Kilat, a barangay located at the riverbank here where the opening ceremony and fluvial parade was conducted.

Also, a dragon boat demonstration was conducted by students and faculty members of Father Saturnino Urios University, Butuan Doctors' College and Agusan Colleges.

Part of the kick-off activity was the ceremonial turnover of the lot owned by the Guingona family to the city government for the establishment of the Philippine Science High School in Barangay Ampayon, this city. - PIA — ARA