Ilocos Sur map
LAOAG CITY, Ilocos Norte — Classes and work in Ilocos Sur province have been suspended on Feb. 2 to mark its 205 years of separation from Ilocos Norte and in celebration of the Kannawidan Festival, according to an executive order (EO) issued by Gov. Jeremias “Jerry” Singson.
The suspension will cover classes in all levels of public and private schools and work in public offices only in the province, according to the EO, which was released to the public on Monday, Jan. 30.
Feb. 2 marks the historic separation of the province of Ilocos Sur from Ilocos Norte through a royal decree in 1818.
“The significance of this event has propelled the identity of Ilocos Sur from its emancipation as a local government unit having a definite territory, self-reliant people, sufficient income and attainment of its recognition in the Philippines as well as foreign countries,” according to Singson’s EO.
Earlier, Malacañang had declared a province-wide special non-working day in Ilocos Norte to mark the 205 years of separation.
Singson said that the provincial government would also want to “afford the people of Ilocos Sur the opportunity to celebrate the Ilocos Sur Kannawidan Festival this year in their respective abodes, giving emphasis to the value of the Ilokano family that shares common culture and traditions.”