Iligan 68th year charter celebrations to refocus on unity for one direction - Vera Cruz

OIC Mayor Jemar Vera Cruz awarded token to "Lolo Iking" as guest speaker of the event with members of the city council.

Iligan City - On June 16, 2018 was the 68th year of existence since Iligan became a chartered city. The celebration was held at the public plaza freedom park here. City Councilor Ryan Ong in his message said that Iligan history is a foundation of the youth and Iliganons that cannot be forgotten owed respect to people who were instrumental in the creation of Iligan City.

Mr. Salvador H. Ong fondly called “Lolo Iking”, the granfather of Councilor Ong,  was the invited Guest Speaker, the lone survivor and son of the late Mayor Benito Ong, the first Mayor of Iligan City. “Lolo Iking” said the plan of the national government in the 1950s was to make Iligan City the Industrial center of the southern Philippines due to the presence of Agus power plant of the National power corporation (NPC). During this time Muslims and Christians in Iligan were united and live peacefully looking forward towards development. 

at right, Councilor Ryan Ong and his "Lolo Iking"

“Lolo Iking” said that Iligan City is not only for the Iliganons but for all the people living in it. He was apprehensive of the closures of the industries mentioning vested interest to some of the previous local politicians. “Lolo Iking” added that Cagayan de Oro was once part of Iligan City before but now it was one of the most develop industrial cities in the country the so called the “city of friendship.”  He said there is a need to unite the people for the development of Iligan City. 

Vice Mayor now Officer-in-charge (OIC) Mayor Jemar Vera Cruz, assumed the office of the Mayor of Iligan City due to the suspension of Mayor Celso Regencia for 90 days, in his message said it was the time of President Elpidio Quirino, Iligan City became a chartered city on June 16, 1950 by virtue of the Republic Act (RA) 525 signed by President Elpidio Quirino through House Bill 425 sponsored by the late congressman Ali Dimaporo. President Quirino appointed Mayor Benito Ong as the first Mayor of Iligan City. The first elected Mayor of Iligan City was the late congressman Mariano Badelles.

Iligan City OIC Mayor Jemar Vera Cruz

Iligan City was part of the history of the divided Lanao provinces, Lanao del Norte and Lanao del Sur, with significance to the efforts of the then late congressman Ali Dimaporo, a Maranao and Muslim. There were six Mayors served Iligan City since it became a city, with Mayor Camilo P. Cabili, the son of Senator Tomas P. Cabili, served as mayor of Iligan City for 28 years.

Vera Cruz said the politics in Iligan city before was only up to word confrontations but no use of physical and violence or court battles to discredit the local administrations after elections, respecting the will of the people’s decision. In recent years since 2013 the political landscape in Iligan City was change, political oppositions are disrespectful to local administration.

The singing dance troupe of Iligan City East Natl high Sch.

Vera Cruz added the rise and fall of the economy of Iligan City have many factors to consider affecting the situation such as global economic crisis, political crisis among others. He said let the people decide for the right direction of the future of Iligan City. There should be unity among the people of Iligan City leading into one direction and focus to real politics to serve the people.

Vera Cruz urged his fellow local and government officials to set aside the personal interest and carry the interest of the people. He said there is no meaning of being a public servant if the focus is only for personal interest. Indeed He said the present administration is committed to move heaven and earth to let National Steel Corporation (NSC) will go back to its operation so that Iligan City will overcome crisis and the people will live in peace and prosperity in the near future. (News reports and photos by Jun Enriquez)