Defensor thanks employees, cites medical frontliners in fight vs. COVID-19
Gov. Arthur Defensor, Jr. thanked all the department heads and employees of the Iloilo provincial government for their cooperation and hard work in the midst of the challenges brought by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Defensor made the statement during the opening program of the 121st Semana sang Iloilo at the Iloilo Sports Complex on Monday, April 4, 2022.
“Indi lang ini selebrasyon sang Semana sang Iloilo, this is a new beginning for us as we start the gradual opening of our economy and go back to our normal activities,” Defensor said noting that for the past two years the “COVID-19 pandemic has prevented us from celebrating the province’s foundation anniversary and other equally important activities.”
He considered all the employees as frontliners of the Province of Iloilo while he particularly thanked the employees of the district hospitals or medical frontliners for their sacrifices in order to save lives.
“Let us take this opportunity to renew our ties and bond with each other,” Defensor told the close to 2,000 employees who participated in the Funwalk from the Diversion Road to the Iloilo Sports Complex.
This is the first time since 2019 that the province celebrated Semana sang Iloilo which commemorates the anniversary of the civil government of Iloilo province on April 11, 1901.
This theme of this year’s celebration is “Overcoming difficulties, braving possibilities”.
“Let us celebrate this 121st Semana sang Iloilo with renewed strength and vigor to face the challenges of the new normal,” Defensor stressed.
A flag-raising ceremony preceded the 121st Semana sang Iloilo opening program where Vice Governor Christine Garin and Board Members Matt Palabrica, Jason Gonzales and Rolly Distura, and Provincial Administrator Atty. Dennis Ventilacion were also present.
The employees, which were divided into six teams, also performed in the streetdance competition.
Also part of the weeklong activities is the Trade Fair and Exhibits which started on April 4 and will run until April 11 at the Provincial Capitol grounds to be participated by different micro-small and medium enterprises in the province.
Employees will also compete in different sporting events from April 4 - 8.
From April 7 - 10 the public could wine and dine at the Capitol grounds beside the Philippine Red Cross and Carpark building where local musicians will perform from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. in the event dubbed as Kantahan sa Park with Foodfest.
On April 6 the Philippine Red Cross, Iloilo Provincial Government and Association of Iloilo Provincial Government Employees (AIPGE) will conduct a bloodletting activity starting at 8:00 a.m. at the Grand Social Hall of Casa Real.
The Provincial Veterinary Office will conduct Animal Neutering and Vaccination at the Casa Real grounds of April 7 starting at 8:00 a.m.
Job hunters are invited to come to the Special Recruitment Activity to be conducted by the Public Service Employment Office (PESO) on April 5 and 8 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Casa Real.
April 8 will be the Employees’ Day where there will be special events for the employees and their family.
On April 9 (Saturday) there will be a fun ride dubbed as “Ride for RD” which is a fund raising event for nurse RD Rey P. Zamudio who is suffering from a rare medical condition.
The weeklong activities will end on April 11 through a thanksgiving mass at the Capitol lobby and will be capped by a Testimonial Programme at 2:00 p.m. which will give due recogition to Iloilo provincial government offices that received honors and awards for the year 2019 to 2021. ECG/Capitol News)