KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato (PIA) --  Koronadal City's commemoration of its 22nd Charter Anniversary will revolve around its potentials as a business tourism destination, an official of the city government said.  

"Unlike in the Hinugyaw Festival that spotlights the culture of the City of Koronadal, the Charter Anniversary, which we celebrate every October, is more focused on business tourism. These means that our activities are entrepreneur based," Elric Batilaran, chief of the City Tourism and Cultural Affairs Office, explained in a presser Tuesday.  

"These include a lineup of negosyo talks and other activities that will promote the strengths of Koronadal City as the service center of Region 12." 

The month-long celebration will be the first time in two years that the city government will celebrate its cityhood with in-person activities.  Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the charter anniversary events in 2020 and 2021 were held via virtual platforms. 

Batilaran said, the cityhood anniversary will take off on October 1, Saturday, with a motorcade and launching of the month-long Grand Sale involving all the shopping malls and other business establishments here.   

October is also Consumer Welfare Month and  Cooperative Month, which resulted in the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA), enrolling several activities for the city's Charter Anniversary. 

Batilaran noted that most events will be held at the Rizal Park from October 5 to 15. 

The area will feature food and product stalls courtesy of the Kaon Ta Marbel Association, an organization of more than 7,000 food-based entrepreneurs created at the height of COVID-19 pandemic; DTI-supported micro, small, and medium enterprises; and the local chamber of commerce.  Entertainment will also be provided nightly via the Oktobeer Fest. 

The Department of Tourism 12 will also establish a booth that will feature tourism destinations and products in Koronadal and South Cotabato.  

Batilaran added that they have also scheduled lectures, seminars, and trainings intended to boost entrepreneurial capabilities, especially among cottage industry owners. Among these are negosyo talks with business personalities who succeeded during the pandemic. 

Other activities at the Rizal Park will include a Bonsai display at the Aviary Dome from October 5 to 15 and Dog Show on October 7. 

DOT 12 will also host a "Pagana Maranao" dinner on October 15 at the Farm in Carpenter Hill, underscoring the fact that Koronadal offers services for the Muslim community, such as restaurants that offer Muslim cuisine and hotels that have prayer rooms. 

The 22nd Charter Anniversary celebration on October 8 will be highlighted by "Pigdiriwang" lechon festival and Kasalan ng Bayan. 

Batilaran said, the city government has allotted P2.1 million for the charter anniversary. 

Koronadal became a city in 2000 by virtue of Republic Act No. 8803 that converted the Municipality of Koronadal into a component city of South Cotabato. Its Charter Anniversary is commemorated every October 8, the date the law was ratified in a plebiscite.  The law was signed by President Joseph Ejercito Estrada. 

Through Executive Order No. 304, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo designated the City of Koronadal as the regional center and administrative seat of SOCCSKSARGEN Region. (PIA XII)