By Gabriel Cardiñoza
Northern Luzon Bureau
First Posted 14:34:00 06/19/2008
DAGUPAN CITY -- Friday (June 20) will be a non-working special holiday here as this Pangasinan city celebrates its 61st founding anniversary.
Mayor Alipio Fernandez Jr. said President Macapagal-Arroyo issued Proclamation No. 1532 on June 12 declaring the holiday to “enable the people of Dagupan City to mark the day with appropriate ceremonies.”
This city was chartered on June 20, 1947. Fernandez’s father, Alipio Fernandez Sr., was the city’s first mayor.
Fernandez said a thanksgiving Mass and a simple program would be held at the city plaza on Friday.
“The development of Dagupan is continuing and although we have limitations in terms of land area, you see the many [business] establishments,” Fernandez said.
“What is only decreasing is [the city’s] fish pond [areas],” he said.
Fish ponds, which dominate the landscape of this 43-square kilometer coastal city, have been the source of the renowned Bonuan bangus (milkfish).
Several hectares of fish ponds have been converted into residential subdivisions and business establishments, abruptly decreasing bangus production.
