This Week’s Milestones: May 13-19, 2018
May 13, 1945
Dalton Pass, formerly called Balete Pass, in the town of Sta. Fe in Nueva Vizcaya province, was declared free from the Imperial Japanese Army after Filipino guerrillas and the 25th Division of the US Army drove away the opposing forces.
The battle took the lives of 7,750 Japanese soldiers, 685 American soldiers and 285 Filipino fighters and left thousands others wounded.
A historical marker was built on the summit of Dalton Pass to pay homage to the militiamen who fought for the liberation of the Philippines.
In 1995, then President Fidel Ramos issued a proclamation declaring every May 10 to 13 as the anniversary of the Battle of Balete Pass.
Dalton Pass was named after the assistant commander of the US Army Division, Brig. Gen. James Leo Dalton II, who was shot by a Japanese sniper.
May 16, 2012
The town of Cabuyao in Laguna province became a city by virtue of Republic Act No. 10163, signed by then President Benigno Aquino III.
In August of the same year, a plebiscite was held to ratify the conversion of the town to a city.
This made Cabuyao the fifth city in Laguna, after San Pablo, Calamba, Sta. Rosa, and Biñan.
The name Cabuyao was derived from “kabuyaw,” a tree endemic in the municipality.
Compiled by Kathleen de Villa, Inquirer Research
Sources: Inquirer Archives, DOT, nuevavizcaya.gov.ph, gov.ph, tpb.gov.ph, pangasinan.gov.ph
