THIS WEEK’S MILESTONES
Oct. 17 to Oct. 23
Oct. 18, 1988
A historical marker for the town of Pakil in Laguna province was installed by the National Historical Institute, forerunner of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines. Pakil was the site of the Filipino forces’ victory over Japanese soldiers, eventually liberating the town. Previously part of the municipalities of Paete and Pangil, Pakil was finally declared an independent municipality in October 1927. The agricultural town is known for its farming and fishing industries.
Oct. 19, 1983
A historical marker honoring educator and jurist Jorge Bocobo was installed in the town of Gerona, Tarlac province, his birthplace. The former Supreme Court justice was the second president of the University of the Philippines (UP). He became the Public Instruction secretary and was named the first Filipino dean of the UP College of Law. He received the Presidential Award of Merit in 1949 for being the principal author of the Civil Code of the Philippines. The Bocobo Hall, which houses the UP Law Center, was named after him.
Oct. 22, 1899
While seeking refuge in Rosales, Pangasinan province, Apolinario Mabini issued a manifesto urging Filipino priests to form a national Church that would help mobilize communities for the revolutionary movement. A day later, Gregorio Aglipay called on the Filipino clergy to meet in Paniqui town, Tarlac province, where they declared their support for the revolution and their effective independence from Roman Catholic authorities. Aglipay, together with Isabelo delos Reyes, would later join the armed struggle and form the Iglesia Filipina Independiente in 1902.
Oct. 23, 2020
Former Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) chair Emmanuel Piñol announced the granting of access to a loan facility under the Mindanao Corn Grains Silo Storage (COGSS) initiative. Under the initiative, MinDA will assist local governments in establishing the loan facility, which seeks to protect farmers from price manipulators. It enables farmers to deposit their produce in the COGSS while waiting for a better price. First to implement this program was the municipality of Baungon in Bukidnon province.
Canceled events: Due to the national public health emergency in relation to the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19), the Kasanggayahan Festival in Sorsogon province; and the Sagingan Festival in Tubod, Lanao del Norte, scheduled between Oct. 17 and Oct. 23, have been canceled by the local governments concerned. Meanwhile, activities for the Zamboanga Hermosa Festival in Zamboanga City; and the Buglasan Festival in Dumaguete City, will be held online. Compiled by Kathleen de Villa, Inquirer Research; and Andi SyCip, Inquirer Junior Intern Sources: Inquirer Archives, officialgazette.gov.ph, psa.gov.ph, pna.gov.ph, Historical Calendar (1521-1969), Historical Markers (Regions 1-4 and CAR), asj.up.edu.ph