This Week’s Milestones: April 10 to 16

April 10, 1910

The Diocese of Lipa was created, separating it from that of Manila. Its patron is St. Joseph the Patriarch while the Blessed Virgin Mary of the Immaculate Conception is named as its secondary patron. At that time, the diocese covered the provinces of Batangas, Laguna, Quezon, Marinduque and Mindoro and the late Archbishop Joseph Petrelli was named as the first bishop. It was elevated to archdiocese status on June 20, 1972.

April 11, 1901

The first civil government on Panay Island was established in Iloilo City, Iloilo province. On Feb. 2, 1901, Gen. Martin Delgado formally surrendered in Jaro to the American military governor. Up to the time of his surrender, Delgado was the chief insurgent leader in Panay. Upon the establishment of the civil government, he was appointed as the first governor of Iloilo province. On March 3, 1902, the first local election was held, where Delgado was elected governor. He served until March 1904.

April 15, 1753

The municipality of Ragay in Camarines Sur was separated from the municipality of Lupi. In 1919, Ragay was given autonomy as a municipal government under Republic Act No. 2809. Ragay is composed of 38 barangays, nine of which are found along the coast of Ragay Gulf. It has a population of 59,770.

April 16, 1993

A historical marker was installed by the National Historical Institute in Fuerza Santa Isabel de la Paragua, more commonly known as Fort Santa Isabel or Taytay Fort, in Taytay, Palawan province, to recognize its historical significance. This iconic fort was built in 1667 first as a wooden palisade, which was then rebuilt with coral stone in 1721 and completed in 1738. It was mainly used to observe sea vessels and defend the town against pirates. The fort was named in honor of Spain’s Queen Isabela II.

This week’s festival:
Due to the national public health emergency in relation to the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19), the Moriones in Marinduque, scheduled between April 10 and April 17, will push through, with participants and spectators urged to observe minimum health and safety protocols.

Compiled by: Marielle Medina, Inquirer Research
Sources: Inquirer Archives, Historical Calendar (1521-1969), Historical Markers Regions I-IV and CAR, Philippine Statistics Authority, coa.gov.ph, iloilocity.gov.ph, pro6.pnp.gov.ph, ragaycamsur.gov.ph, taytay-palawan.com, claretianpublications.com, ucanews.com