Tawi-Tawi all set to celebrate 40th Kamahardikaan

By Nash Tahang

The provincial government of Tawi-Tawi has convened the various committees-in-charge to prepare the 40th founding anniversary and make the celebration more vibrant and pleasurable not only to the locals but also to the foreign and local tourists.

Tawi-Tawi Governor Nurbert M. Sahali, chairman of the Executive and Steering Committees, has convened both committees on Sunday to finalize the preparation of the grand 40^th Kamahardikaan of the peaceful province.

In     a    consensus,    both committees framed this year’s theme of celebration – “Tawi-Tawi at 40: Sustaining Good Housekeeping In Meeting New Challenges.” 

Sahali said this year's founding celebration will focus not only in showcasing the province as a serene, culturally vivacious, and resource-rich province in this part of the country but also adds new facets to the activities of the celebration.

Among those to be added as new components will be a Job Fair featuring jobs from five national government agencies, ARMM, private companies, and the local jobs; Agri Fair that will showcase local agricultural products of the province; Licensing which will help local transportation operators legalize their vehicles, and drivers as well can apply for driving licenses,   contest in the composition of a provincial hymn in either Sama or Tausug language, and many other entertaining activities.

“As Tawi-Tawians, we have always wanted to show to the world our potentials, our aspirations, and eagerness to be together in development and advancement, a proof of our unity as peace loving people of Tawi-Tawi," Sahali stressed.

The coming celebration is the 40th Kamahardikaan sin Tawi-Tawi, the five-day festivities will officially start on September 23, featuring a colorful sports parade, and the celebrations will culminate on September 27.

Tawi-Tawi was previously part of the province of Sulu. On September 27, 1973, pursuant to Presidential Decree No. 302, the new province of Tawi-Tawi was officially created as a separate province.

The usual highlights of the festivities include the agal-agal festival, the search for Budjang Tawi-Tawi 2013, (beauty pageant), the grand anniversary parade, and the cultural night that showcases the various ethnic cultures found in the province, and the very colorful fluvial parade.

The 40^th Kamahardikaan celebration is the first under the new administration of the young Sahali after succeeding his governor-father, Hadji Sadikul Sahali, who finished his three terms last June 30, this year.