The Bacolod City Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) yesterday passed a resolution calling for the establishment of a marker or monument commemorating Bacolod City’s charter day as June 18.

The legislation, authored by City Councilor Em Ang, calls for the monument to be established as part of the city’s 80th anniversary celebration, which is set to be observed throughout the year.

“The marker or monument will serve as a reminder for Bacolodnons of our city’s illustrious history,” the resolution read.

Bacolod City’s charter day has been under scrutiny lately, with Mayor Evelio Leonardia claiming June 18 as the day President Manuel L. Quezon signed Commonwealth Act No. 326, which established Bacolod as a city.

However, Bacolod City Councilor Wilson Gamboa, Jr. pointed out the said act noted, “The city government provided for in this chapter shall be organized immediately after the appointment and qualification of the city mayor, and the appointment and induction into office of the members of the city council.”

“When was the late Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo Montelibano, Sr. appointed, installed, and inaugurated?” he asked. “It was on October 19, 1938.”

The city councilor also reiterated the position of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), which specified, “The City of Bacolod commenced its ‘corporate existence’ on October 19, 1938 thus, it should celebrate its charter day every October 19.”

Earlier, following reports of a letter penned by the NHCP last December that backed up Gamboa’s position and outlined previous failed attempts to change the charter date, Leonardia said the letter needed to be “verified.”/WDJ