The damage caused by Tropical Storm “Kristine” had forced the provincial government to reschedule some of the events supposed to be held this Oct. 25-26, 2024 in celebration of Catanduanes’ 79th Foundation Anniversary on the theme “Catanduanes @79: Embracing Progress and Innovation.”
In a meeting with the organizing committee chaired by PBM Jose Romeo Francisco, Gov. Joseph Cua communicated the recommendation of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council to suspend some of the activities to show solidarity with communities hit by flooding and isolated by landslides/
Instead of being held Oct. 25, the Thanksgiving Mass will now be celebrated at 6 AM the following day, Oct. 26 (Saturday) at the Immaculate Conception Cathedral in Virac, to be attended by Gov. Cua, Vice Governor Peter C. Cua and members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, top officials of the 11 municipalities, provincial government department heads, representatives of national agencies, non-government organizations and other stakeholders.
After a procession to the provincial capitol, a wreath laying will be done at the bust of the island province’s founding father, Congressman Francisco Perfecto, whose proposed bill separating Catanduanes from Albay was approved as Commonwealth Act 687 by the national legislature on Sept. 26, 1945, signed into law by President Sergio Osmena Sr. on Oct. 24 and took effect two days later.
This will be followed by the chief executive’s State of the Province Address (SOPA) at the Catanduanes Convention Center.
While some municipalities have expressed their intention to participate in the Padadyaw sa Tinampo, they told the committee that the flooding and landslides along the highway to Virac could prevent them from doing so.