Revisiting the signing of Bacolod City Charter
ON June 18, 1938, President Manuel Luis Quezon signed Commonwealth Act 326, the law converting the municipality of Bacolod to a full-fledged city.
It was made possible through the efforts of Pedro Hernaez, former assemblyman, first Negrense senator, and former Ambassador of the Philippines to Spain, and House Speaker Gil Montilla, who served as the main authors, along with Assemblymen Enrique Magalona of Negros Occidental and Jose Zulueta of Iloilo City, serving as co-authors.
On October 19 of the same year, President Quezon also came to Bacolod for the grand inaugural celebration.
Then mayor Alfredo Montelibano Sr. took his oath of office before Judge Dionisio de Leon of the Court of the First Instance of Negros Occidental.
President Quezon spoke at the old Sangguniang Panlungsod Session Hall at the old City Hall on Araneta-luzuriaga Streets.
Hernaez read the law on the Cityhood of Bacolod.
Seventy-nine years hence Hernaez’s daughters and granddaughters remember his pioneering spirit that made him the father of the Cityhood of Bacolod.
Cellina, his second daughter, said her father believes that progress will come with a better educated populace who can dream for the betterment of the future of Bacolod.
Granddaughter Mariane Prattle added that her grandfather had a lot of faith in Bacolod, the reason why he worked for its conversion from municipality to a city.
“This is a good legacy that he left for all Bacolodnons and to the present leaders running Bacolod. Lolo saw Bacolod towards the future,” she added.
Another granddaughter Agnes Villar said her Lolo was quite advance in his time, remembering that he would talk about what can be done and would always encourage not to stop trying to be better.
As author of its cityhood, he had the best intentions for Bacolod, believing that something promising will happen, she added.
The Hernaez family said they believe in the leadership of current Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia.
“The mere fact that we are chosen as the number one city in the Philippines, I think that is a credit to Mayor Bing’s leadership,” Cellina said.
Last month, Bacolod has been chosen the Top Philippine Model City by The Manila Times in “The Philippine Model Cities” search for the most livable urban centers in the country.
And as part of the Commemoration of the 79th Year of the Signing of the Charter of Bacolod, an exhibit, showcasing 50 black and white photos that documented the development of Bacolod City through the years, is being held at the Bacolod Government Center Lobby until June 19.*