Kidapawan City Charter Day is a yearly celebration of the cityhood of Kidapawan City, Cotabato, Philippines every February 12. It commemorates the passage of Republic Act No. 8500, the law that created the said city in 1998. The date is often declared a special non-working holiday in the city through presidential proclamations.
History of Kidapawan City Charter Day
Kidapawan has resisted foreign rule for much of the Spanish conquest. The Spaniards were never able to truly conquer its lands and people, a circumstance that is credited to the fierce opposition and struggle put up by its inhabitants. It was during the American period that saw the gradual organization of areas in Mindanao under the colonial government.
Before the war, Kidapawan was under the jurisdiction of the municipality in Pikit. Its successive leaders were Datu Siawan Ingkal, Felimon Blanco, Ceferino Villanueva, Jacinto Paclibar, and Alfonso Angeles Sr.
In 1947, President Manuel A. Roxas signed Executive Order No. 82 that caused its establishment as an independent town on August 18, 1947. This date is what Timpupo Festival commemorates every year. The order also created the towns of Buayan, Buluan, Dinaig, Parang, Kabakan, Kiamba, Koronadal, Nuling, and Pagalungan.
Kidapawan became a city through Republic Act No. 8500 which was signed into law by President Fidel V. Ramos on February 12, 1998, which is also known as An Act Converting the Municipality of Kidapawan in the Province of Cotabato into a Component City to be Known as the City of Kidapawan. Its first mayor was Luis Paña Malaluan when the law was ratified through a plebiscite on March 21, 1998.
And on November 22, 1973, the city was declared the seat of the province of Cotabato.
Kidapawan City Charter Day Activities
The calendar of activities of Kidapawan City Charter Day lasts for twelve days it begins from the beginning of February and culminates on the 12th. There are online events such as social media competitions and challenges, art shows and presentations and exhibits, talent contests, and Charter Day programs and celebrations.
How to reach Kidapawan City
Kidapawan City can be reached either from Davao City and Cotabato City, both of which would require around two to three hours travel by bus or van.
References
- City Government of Kidapawan launches more online competitions for 23 rd Charter Day celebrations. City Government of Kidapawan. February 4, 2021. Retrieved January 29, 2023
- Republic Act No. 8500. City Government of Kidapawan. Retrieved January 29, 2023
- Executive Order No. 82. Official Gazette. Retrieved January 29, 2022
- Proclamation No. 105, s. 2011. Official Gazette. Retrieved January 29, 2023
- Historical Origin. City Government of Kidapawan. Retrieved January 29, 2023
Kidapawan City Charter Day Summary
Name Kidapawan City Charter Day Celebration Contact (064) 577-4829 Country Philippines Date February 12 Duration 12 days Email infokidapawancity@gmail.com Established 1998 Facebook www.facebook.com Historical event Conversion of the municipality of Kidapawan to a component city of Cotabato Location Kidapawan City, Cotabato Organizer City Government of Kidapawan Website www.kidapawancity.gov.ph/
| Name | Kidapawan City Charter Day |
|---|---|
| Celebration | |
| Contact | (064) 577-4829 |
| Country | Philippines |
| Date | February 12 |
| Duration | 12 days |
| infokidapawancity@gmail.com | |
| Established | 1998 |
| www.facebook.com | |
| Historical event | Conversion of the municipality of Kidapawan to a component city of Cotabato |
| Location | Kidapawan City, Cotabato |
| Organizer | City Government of Kidapawan |
| Website | www.kidapawancity.gov.ph/ |