General Santos City – July 21, 2025
In a remarkable display of cultural respect and inclusivity, General Santos City has declared a suspension of public school classes and government office work on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, to commemorate the 11th Indigenous People’s Blaan Day.
Through Executive Order No. 27, Series of 2025, City Mayor Lorelie G. Pacquiao directed a whole-day class suspension in all public schools and work suspension in government offices from 10:00 A.M. onwards. The order also strongly encourages private institutions to join the celebration by suspending work and classes in solidarity.
This move is more than just a day off — it is a significant gesture of recognition and respect for the Blaan people, one of the indigenous groups that have long inhabited the lands of Southern Mindanao, including parts of SOCSKSARGEN, Davao del Sur, and areas surrounding Lake Buluan in North Cotabato.
Celebrating Identity, Culture, and Legacy
The celebration of Blaan Day is not merely ceremonial. It reflects a deeper, institutional commitment to the Indigenous Peoples (IPs) of the city. Enshrined in Ordinance No. 14, Series of 2016, the annual celebration every July 22 honors the Blaan people’s contributions to the cultural, social, and even tourism development of General Santos City.
“We must honor our roots. The Blaan people are not just part of our city’s history; they are part of its soul,” said Mayor Pacquiao in a statement. “By joining their celebration, we recognize their value, struggles, and aspirations in the journey of our city.”
Indigenous People and the Constitution
Article II, Section 22 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution mandates the State to recognize and promote the rights of Indigenous Cultural Communities within the framework of national unity and development. Similarly, the Local Government Code (RA 7160) obliges LGUs to support the preservation and enrichment of culture — duties that General Santos takes seriously.
The executive order is also a practical expression of Republic Act 8371 or the Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act (IPRA), which protects the cultural integrity, ancestral domain, and self-governance of indigenous communities in the Philippines.
A Call to Join the Celebration
The order strongly encourages city employees to attend the celebration at the Oval Gymnasium at 8:00 A.M., while frontline offices such as hospitals, markets, sanitation, and emergency response units will continue operating to ensure uninterrupted public services.
Private schools and businesses are not mandated but are encouraged to participate. This inclusive approach allows space for the private sector to show support, recognizing that honoring Indigenous Peoples is a shared responsibility, not just of government but of the whole community.
More Than a Holiday
At the heart of the celebration is a powerful message — that development should never come at the expense of culture. It serves as a reminder that as General Santos City moves forward, it must carry its Indigenous Peoples along with it — acknowledging their wisdom, resilience, and vital role in shaping a more inclusive future.
“Blaan Day is not just for the Blaans,” noted one local cultural worker. “It is for all of us — a time to reflect on what it means to belong, to coexist, and to celebrate diversity.”
In an age of rapid globalization and urban growth, recognizing and preserving indigenous heritage becomes even more important. Through this executive action, General Santos City is setting an example for other local government units — that honoring the first peoples of the land is not a burden but a moral and cultural obligation.
As the drums beat and traditional chants echo on July 22, the Blaan Day will not only celebrate a people — it will also reaffirm a city’s commitment to cultural justice, shared history, and unity in diversity.