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July 16, 2010
NAGA CITY – To help ensure a historic and memorable celebration of the 300th year of the Bicolanos’ devotion to Our Lady of Peñafrancia in September, the Naga City government, led by newly elected Mayor John Bongat, has reconstituted a tercentenary executive council with its steering committees to coordinate with the Archdiocese of Caceres in preparing for what is expected to be the grandest Penafrancia fiesta ever.
Chaired by Bongat himself and cochaired by Vice Mayor Gabby Bordado with the chairperson of the SP Committee on Tourism, Culture and Arts and representatives from the Archdiocese of Caceres, Naga City Peoples Council, Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster sa Pilipinas, as well as the chairs of the different steering committees as members, the executive council held its first meeting on July 8. Bongat said collective efforts are necessary for all sectors concerned to ensure the safety and comfort of all guests, pilgrims and visitors during the two week-long celebration. More visitors and pilgrims are expected to come on this very important event that will include religious dignitaries from Rome, top national officials and members of various Catholic congregations.
Already, the Bongat administration is making its hands full to spruce up the city that will include beautification and clean up drives on plazas, thoroughfares and establishments, establishment of pilgrim and visitors’ assis-tance centers, replacement of lampposts within the Cathedral-USI area and the inspection of bridges.
“This important milestone in the history of the Bicolanos’ devotion to the Virgin of Peñafrancia whom her devotees dearly refer to as Ina, the city government will give its full support to guarantee a meaningful celebration,” Bongat said.
Already, hotels have received advanced bookings this early even as many of them reported their rooms are already fully booked for the grand Peñafrancia celebration.