TACLOBAN CITY– Mayor Cristina G. Romualdez led the celebration of the 8th Anniversary of Tacloban’s conversion into a highly urbanized city (HUC) last December 18-19, 2016.
The celebration highlighted with an HUC Run organized by the City Sports Office (CSO).
Joel Bugho, CSO chief, the event dubbed HUC Commemorative Run 2016 was the single big event of the HUC Day celebration.
The fun run started at 2:00 am at the City Hall Grounds which included four categories for men and women: 42 K, 22 K, 10 k, and 3 k.
Participants who registered received singlet, loot bags, and finisher t-shirts; while winners received cash prizes and medals.
Sponsors for the event include Leyte 1st district Representative Yedda K. Romualdez, QRJ and USAID.
TOMECO, ACCESS 5, BFP, TACRU, Red Cross Delta, ACCESS 5, Basketball Association of the Philippines served as marshals during the event.
Bugho said the city government plans to make the fun run a regular event during HUC Day.
A citywide clean-up drive participated by City Hall employees preceded by a Thanksgiving Mass at the Sto. Niño Church at 9:30 am on Sunday.
Other activities held for the 8th year of Tacloban’s declaration as an HUC included a recognition program for the top 10 real property and business taxpayers of the city and the distribution of food packs worth P1,500 to 100 indigent senior citizens wait-listed for the social pension program of the City Social Welfare and Development Office on Monday, (December 19).
For the eight years that Tacloban has been an HUC, the city has received numerous national and regional awards and citations recognizing its exemplary performance and programs.
Economic progress has likewise become evident in the city in the past years with the influx of various businesses and improved infrastructures, despite of Tacloban’s suffering from the devastation of the world’s strongest typhoon, supertyphoon “Yolanda” that hit the city on November 8,2013.
Former Mayor Alfred S. Romualdez worked for the conversion of Tacloban as an HUC during his first term as Chief Executive.
Tacloban became an HUC after an overwhelming number of Taclobanons voted for its conversion in a plebiscite held December 18, 2008. (HENRY JAMEZ G. ROCA/CIO)
