For the second time, the city government of Biñan, Laguna celebrated its “Araw ng Biñan” festivities amid the shadow of the Covid-19 pandemic.
However, as it had proven the previous year, this new surge of the coronavirus did not prevent the local government from making this event a meaningful one for Biñanenses.
And there’s much to celebrate this year, as the city once again made headlines due to the programs initiated by the “Big Three” city officials – Mayor Arman Dimaguila, Vice Mayor Gel Alonte, and Representative Len Alonte – that enabled Biñanenses to weather the impact of the pandemic.
“Marami tayong pagpapala na natanggap mula sa Panginoon na dapat nating ipagpasalamat despite this pandemic,” Representative Alonte told OpinYon Laguna.
Aside from the usual activities like talent shows, band parades and street performances (albeit without the usual crowds due to the pandemic), the city government continued its Covid-19 vaccination program, as well as providing services through the “Serbisyong Arman Fair.”
Outstanding scholars, frontliners honored
During the course of the three-day festivities, the city government also took the time to recognize both the “Iskolar ng Biñan” who excelled in their chosen fields, as well as the frontliners who continued to serve the city amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
On February 3, the celebration of “Liberation Day” – Biñan’s liberation from Japanese forces during World War II – 12 outstanding alumni who were able to pursue their dreams thanks to the “Iskolar ng Biñan” scholarship program were honored by the city government.
During the event, the city government also launched a new scholarship program that will enable the city’s talents to pursue their goals.
The new program, dubbed “Artista at Atletang Biñanense College (ABC) Scholarship Program,” aims to offer college scholarships to qualified students and active members of Biñan City Centre for Performing Arts and Biñan Sports Volunteers.
The next day (February 4), the city recognized the heroism of doctors, nurses, peacekeeping officials, and other city staff who persevered to mitigate the impacts of the pandemic through a ceremony entitled “Saludo: Pasasalamat at Pagkilala sa mga Frontliners ng Biñan.”
"Ang gabing ito ay dapat talaga nating ipagbunyi. Ang gabing ito ay dapat nating pahalagahan dahil hindi biro ang ginawa ninyo [frontliners] para sa bayan. Because of your sacrifices and because of your commitment a loved one’s life is saved," Representative Alonte said during the event.
New infrastructure works
Capping off the slate of activities is the groundbreaking ceremony for the Biñan City Esplanade at Barangay Dela Paz on Friday (February 4), led by the city's "Big Three" officials.
With facilities such as basketball and tennis courts, a world-class park, and an amphitheater, the city government envisions in the site an area where Biñanenses could just sit back and relax, as well as nurture new talents.
During the ceremony, Dimaguila also bared future infrastructure works for the city, including another “open space” in Barangay Malaban; road-widening projects in preparation for the future Laguna Lake Dike Expressway project of the national government; and new housing for those affected by the road-widening projects.
The city mayor also highlighted in his speech the importance of “collaboration” between city officials as a vital tool in helping them realize their goals for Biñan City – a collaboration that has led the city into one of Laguna province’s “powerhouses” in term of economic and social development.
“Hindi po kasi maganda na may ipapagawa ang kongresista, tapos iba ang ipapagawa ng city government – hindi magkatono,” he stressed. “Dito kapag magka-tono, tiyak may pupuntahan.”
Meanwhile, Vice Mayor Gel Alonte also stressed the meaning of the theme for this year’s “Araw ng Biñan” – “Para sa Bayan” as he pledged his continued support for the programs of the current leadership.
“Hindi po kami naglilingkod para sa sarili – naglilingkod po kami para sa taong bayan… Ako’y natutuwa na mapabilang sa mga lider na talagang may puso at malasakit para sa lungsod ng Biñan,” he said.
(With reports by Catherine Go)