A Province was Born

At long last! The dream of the great visionary leader had finally come true. The new province had just been dedicated to God Almighty in a thanksgiving sacrament for its creation as the youngest province of the country.

Likened to a hatchling, it had just grown its fluffs after it had its first sight of light, when “YES” significantly triumphed over “NO” on the recently concluded plebiscite in the Province of Davao del Sur. The 76% yes votes from the total turnout along with the province’s barangay exit poll gave way to this hatchling to savor lusciously its newly found freedom and finally be an independent province. A jurisdiction of full potentials, being endowed with rich natural resources, exceptionally brilliant human resources and ample opportunities to boost its economic condition and social progress.

By the virtue of Republic Act 10360 enacted on July 23, 2013, ratified on October 28, 2013, the 81st province of the Philippines was born dubbed as Davao Occidental Province.

Just this 11th day of November, 2013, the well-loved breed fledgling was dedicated to God Almighty in a very special solemn thanksgiving mass at Sto. Rosario Parish Church in the Municipality of Malita, Davao del Sur–the groomed city of the Davao Occidental Province. Just then, this fledgling was ready for metamorphosis into a full-fledged eagle to soar high alike other provinces in the country.
The blessing of the newly born province was meaningfully memorable to the populace of the five municipalities of the former second district of Davao del Sur as it marked the era of sending off the once honored and treasured province. Conversely, this sign of advancement in this part of the country had been very cordial and positively favorable as this had won the favor of not only the masses but also the municipal mayors and majority of the local officials of the 14 municipalities of Davao del Sur who graced the thanksgiving rite.

“It is a high time for Davao Occidental to be created.” Retired Gen. Franco Calida, municipal mayor of Hagonoy, Davao del Sur, with high hopes, expressed his sentiment on the occasion. In similar manner, Mayor Joseph R. Peñas of Digos City articulated his and his constituents’ solid support to the newfangled province; “We joined the launching of the creation of the new province, the Province of Davao Occidental. We, from Digos City extend our strong support.” Likewise, Mayor Johnny Johnson of the Municipality of Don Marcelino conveyed his elation having been disjointed from the posterior province, “Just like married children, we have to start our own and not to bother our parents anymore.” He meant, we have to start our own in Davao Occidental Province and not to bother Davao del Sur Province anymore.