So, what is Charter Day, and why does Cagayan de Oro have one? Good question, honestly.
If you are from CDO, you probably already know that June 15 is not just a random date when school might get cancelled or work might let you sleep in. It is Charter Day, the day Cagayan de Oro officially became a city. This occurred in 1950, when then-President Elpidio Quirino signed Republic Act No. 521 into law. Essentially, the paperwork was processed, and suddenly, CDO was no longer just a regular town. It was a city with all the bells and whistles that came with that status.
There is usually a celebration. City Hall hosts a program during which officials deliver speeches, and a few awards are presented to long-serving employees or individuals who have made a significant contribution to the community. Schools sometimes hold themed activities. Local media covers the events, and your Facebook feed will likely include a few old photos of CDO from the past.
It is also the time when the city’s story is retold: how it began as a settlement by the river, how it evolved into a trading hub, and how it earned the nickname City of Golden Friendship. And yes, there is always a line or two about growth and resilience. It comes with the territory.
Underneath all of that, Charter Day does carry some weight. Becoming a city was a turning point. It meant more resources, more structure, and more responsibilities. It meant CDO was officially in charge of itself, no longer waiting for someone else to make decisions. That is not nothing.
[Photo by Ruel Madelo]
