Catigbian town celebrates its Foundation Day in the simplest way possible, according to town mayor Elizabeth Mandin.

The 71st Foundation Day Celebration of Catigbian town and the 16th edition of the Katigbawan Festival were held today, Wednesday, June 17, 2020.

Mandin said the celebrations started with a Holy Mass participated in by the town government officials and employees.

Leading the rites today were Mayor Mandin and Vice Mayor Esteban Angilan Jr. and members of the Sangguniang Bayan.

The highlight of Wednesday’s celebration was the blessing of two pumping units: the Kapati Pumping Unit and the Patag Pumping Unit. The two pumping units are seen to provide great benefits to the folks of the town, the mayor said.

She said about P35 million is earmarked for additional water projects for the town. She added that the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is set to put in another P30 million for similar water projects in the town.

The celebrations were deliberately made simple in order to comply with minimum health standards such as social distancing including avoidance of mass gatherings.

As this developed, Mandin reminded the people of her town to observe proper hand washing, mandatory wearing of face mask while in public spaces, to observe social distancing and other health protocols in order to avoid the spread of the Covid virus.

Furthermore, Mandin expressed thanks for the zero-covid status of her town.

Just like any other town in Bohol, Catigbian is hosting locally stranded individuals (LSIs). According to reports, there are about 67 LSIs in the town and around 20 overseas Filipino worker (OFWs) now in the quarantine facilities being managed by the town government.

Mandin also reported that the town has released relief goods to the people in the town who are severely affected by pandemic.

The mayor said she made sure that the distribution of the relief goods is equitable.

Mandin thanked the Sangguniang Bayan for allotting enough funds for the purchase of relief goods that were distributed to the people of Catigbian.

The town’s frontliners who are in charge in extracting and processing the needs of arriving LSIs and OFWs were given incentives and are billeted in an airconditioned building, Mandin said.

She also said that the frontliners deserve to be given the right perks considering the risks and danger they face when they connect and engage with the returning Boholanos.

The mayor said the fight against the virus will never be effective without prayer and trust in God.