MABALACAT, Pampanga – Malacañang has declared September 28 a non-working holiday in Pampanga in commemoration of the 100th birth anniversary of the late former President Diosdado Macapagal.

The special non-working holiday, declared through Proclamation No. 35, would give Kapampangans the opportunity to remember the life of Macapagal, the country’s ninth president who served from 1961 to 1965.

Macapagal, a native of Lubao town and father of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, also served as vice president and representative of Pampanga. He introduced the Land Reform Code of 1963 and moved the celebration of Philippine Independence from July 4 to June 12.

Governor Lilia Pineda will lead a wreath-laying activity in honor of Macapagal on Tuesday. The Angeles University Foundation (AUF), where the former president served as chair of its board of trustees until his death in 1997, has lined up various activities to commemorate Macapagal’s birth centenary.

By Jun Malig
Central Luzon Desk