by Dave Charles Responte
The municipality of Danao, Bohol celebrated its 64th founding anniversary July 9, 2025 with festivities showcasing agricultural development goals and infrastructure milestones under a new leadership.
Mayor Celeste Cepedoza-Lerion and Vice Mayor Jose Cepedoza led the celebration at the town gymnasium, attended by municipal officials, employees and hundreds of residents.
The event featured Lerion’s first State of the Municipality Address, where she outlined priorities for her administration focused on supporting local agriculture.
“Our farmers are the backbone of our community,” Lerion said. “We will ensure they receive the support they deserve—from seeds and fertilizers to farming machinery, technical training, and financial assistance.”
Vice Mayor Jose Cepedoza, who recently completed his term as mayor, delivered a report on his administration’s accomplishments from July 2024 to July 2025, highlighting programs in infrastructure, health, education and social welfare.
Gov. Aris Aumentado was represented by Liga ng mga Barangay-Bohol Chapter President and Board Member Romulo Cepedoza, while Vice Gov. Nicanor Besas was represented by former Clarin Mayor Allen Rey Piezas.
The celebration operated under the theme “Mauswagong Lungsod: Hugpong sa Hiniusang Damgo, Pagpakabana, Pag-anag ug Kadasig” and featured weeklong activities from July 3-9.
Events included a video-making contest, Francisco Dagohoy Commemoration Day, the First “Dagon sa Hoyohoy” Sports League, Solo Parents Day, an Agri-Fair, medical missions, and project groundbreaking ceremonies.
The festivities concluded with a homecoming celebration for Miss Universe Philippines 2025 Top 12 finalist Tyra Rae Florito Goldman, a Danao native, and a Zumba competition.
Nearly 500 million pesos in projects launched in Danao
Infrastructure and development projects worth nearly P500 million pesos were inaugurated and blessed July 7 in this agricultural and tourism municipality.
Mayor Maria Celeste Cepedoza-Lerion, the third and youngest serving mayor in Bohol province, said both vertical and horizontal projects are under construction across the town.
The development stems from collaborative efforts between current officials and previous leadership under her father, now-Vice Mayor Jose “Joe” Cepedoza, who served three consecutive terms as mayor from 2016 to 2025.
Projects inaugurated and blessed include:
– Multi-Purpose Building in Barangay Poblacion
– Upgraded Danao Technological College Crime Laboratory
– Perimeter fence construction for DTC
– Annex and Municipal Hall rehabilitation
– DTC BTVED Laboratory improvements
– Two rescue vehicles for disaster preparedness
– Municipal gymnasium improvement and Market Street construction groundbreaking
– Access road construction and enhancement to tourism sites in Barangays Taming and Villa Anunciado
– Tourism Road Infrastructure Program development
– Farm-to-Market Road construction in Barangay Poblacion
– Danao National High School Multi-Purpose Building enhancement
– Danao Waterworks System upgrades in Barangay Taming
Parish priest Fr. Rimar Mabanag officiated the blessing ceremony.
Funding came from national and local sources, with support from Second District Congresswoman Maria Vanessa “VanVan” Aumentado and Bohol Gov. Aris Aumentado.