Did You Know That

Did you know that this day in 1959, the control over the town of Olongapo was turned over from the occupying American forces to the Philippine government?

In addition, Executive Order No, 366 was issued by then Philippine President Carlos P. Garcia, converting the former township into a municipality. Included in the turnover were utilities systems (water, electrical, and telecommunications) that were valued at US$ 6 million.

Bird’s eye view of the Municipality of Olongapo in the 1950s

The title to the newly stated municipality was received from U.S. Charge d’ Affaires George Abbott by Foreign Minister Felixberto Serrano.

During the event itself, multitudes of Olongapo’s residents crowded the municipality’s avenues and streetways in order to witness the formal turnover. The highest point of the event was when both the Philippine’s and the United States’ flags were lowered and the Philippine flag was raised by itself afterwards.