Senator Koko Pimentel congratulated Cagayan de Oro City on the celebration of its 75th Charter Day.
“Happy 75th Charter Day to the City of Golden Friendship. Cagayan de Oro has shown strength, unity, and resilience through the years. This Diamond Anniversary is a reminder of our history and our potential for even greater progress,” Pimentel said.
“The warmth and generosity of Kagay-anons are not just a slogan. They are enduring values that have defined the city’s character across generations.”
“The warmth and generosity of Kagay-anons are not just a slogan. They are enduring values that have defined the city’s character across generations,” the veteran legislator added.
Cagayan de Oro was officially declared a city on June 15, 1950, through Republic Act No. 521 signed by then-President Elpidio Quirino.
The seasoned lawmaker paid tribute to the city’s transformation from a quiet town to a growing center of business, culture, and education in Northern Mindanao. The senator noted the steady rise of commercial hubs, the expansion of infrastructure such as the Laguindingan Airport and modern highways linking the city to other parts of Mindanao, and the increasing presence of major retail, banking, and technology firms.
Cagayan de Oro has also emerged as a regional education hub, home to reputable institutions like Xavier University, Ateneo de Cagayan and Capitol University, attracting students from across Mindanao, according to Pimentel.
The city’s Laguindingan Airport is now the sixth-busiest airport in the Philippines and the second-busiest in Mindanao, handling nearly 2 million passengers in 2023, he noted.
“Cagayan de Oro has proven what a resilient city can achieve. But the best is yet to come. There is still so much more to build, to learn, and to dream together as one community,” Pimentel said.
Pimentel also recalled his father’s contribution to the city’s history and growth. The late Senate President Aquilino “Tatay Nene” Pimentel Jr. served as mayor of Cagayan de Oro during a critical period in Philippine politics and is remembered for his strong advocacy for democracy, local autonomy, and the welfare of ordinary citizens.
“My father, Tatay Nene, devoted many years of public service to this city he loved deeply.”
“My father, Tatay Nene, devoted many years of public service to this city he loved deeply. As mayor, he championed democracy, human rights, and good governance even during the most difficult times in our nation’s history,” he stressed.
Malacañang has declared Monday, June 16, a special non-working holiday in Cagayan de Oro City to allow residents to fully participate in the celebration of the city’s Diamond Jubilee.
“Let us honor this Diamond Jubilee by recommitting ourselves to unity, compassion, service, and people-centered development,” Pimentel said.
Lastly, he encouraged residents to continue working together for a better future, stressing the importance of good governance and inclusive growth.
