By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia is expected to call on the Bacolod City Sangguniang Panlungsod to pass legislation institutionalizing the Halandumon Festival, which serves as a precursor to the city’s Charter Day celebration.
The inaugural festival is currently underway, opening last Wednesday and expected to run until Thursday, June 20.
Among the events associated with the festival include a food and trade fair, photo exhibit, history quiz, and street dance competition.
While the festival is still ongoing, the mayor called it a “success” saying it has exceeded his expectations.
The Bacolod City government earlier reminded the public, after President Rodrigo Duterte signed RA 11146 last December, which declared June 18 as ‘Bacolod City Charter Day,’ the day is observed as a special non-working holiday in the city.
“This is the first June 18 Charter Day celebration of Bacolod,” Leonardia said in a statement. “It was celebrated every October 19 but, starting this year, it will be celebrated every June 18.”/DGB, WDJ