Iloilo Celebrates 124th Founding Anniversary With Weeklong Activities

By Mariela Angella Oladive

The Iloilo provincial government began its 124th founding anniversary celebration on Monday, April 7, commemorating the establishment of the province’s civil government on April 11, 1901.

Dubbed Semana sang Iloilo, the weeklong celebration features various activities, starting with a foot parade of provincial government employees from Sunburst Park to the Capitol Grounds.

The opening event was followed by a Zumba session and a cultural presentation by Sinamba sa Biray-Paraw performers from the municipality of Leganes.

Among the highlights are the Kasadyahan Run 2025 for a Cause, the Governor’s Award led by the Public Employment Service Office, Mutya sang Barangay Kapitolyo 2025, the Pasidungog for retirees and service awardees, and the much-anticipated Employees’ Night.

The Kasadyahan Run, which is open to the public, includes 12-kilometer and 4-kilometer race categories.

Interested runners may register through the official Facebook page of the Association of Iloilo Provincial Government Employees.

Throughout the week, the Capitol Grounds will host an Agricultural Fair and Exhibit, alongside the MSME Trade Exhibit and Snack Fair, showcasing local products and innovations from various towns in the province.

To promote legal literacy among youth, the Provincial Population Office will launch alaLAYI: Pag-ubay Legal sa Kabataan in partnership with Central Philippine University College of Law.

The program aims to provide free legal education to Ilonggo youth.

The Local Economic Development and Investment Promotions Center is also organizing activities to support micro, small and medium enterprises.

These include orientations on product packaging and labeling, basic entrepreneurship, service quality and customer advocacy, and digital marketing.

Meanwhile, the Office of the Provincial Veterinarian will offer free neutering and anti-rabies vaccinations for pet owners during the celebration.

Other scheduled events include:

• The switching-on ceremony of the new 100-kilowatt solar photovoltaic system at the Capitol Complex
• Iloilo Transport Cooperative Congress 2025
• Launch of a digital library and online platforms
• Agrinnovate Summit
• Municipal Festival Costume Contest
• Provincial Legislative Awards by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan
• Capitol-wide Sports Fest

The provincial government invites all Ilonggos to participate in the celebration, which highlights more than a century of heritage, public service and progress for the Province of Iloilo.