HISTORICAL HIGHLIGHT OF THE 75th CDO CHARTER DAY AND HIGALAAY FEST 2025
By: Ruffy Magbanua
Cagayan de Oro — In a rare salute on the historical worth of this emerging metropolis in the making, Pedro Sa. Baculio, post-war City Mayor and former Misamis Oriental Congressman will be honored to receive the prestigious Award of Distinction from the City Government in a special ceremony at the City Tourism Hall on 29 August 2025.
City Mayor Klarex Uy will personally hand-over the Award on behalf of the people of Cagayan de Oro.
His son, Lawyer Augusto Baculio, former Congressman of the 2nd District of Misamis Oriental will receive the award on behalf of the Baculio family. Dubbed “Pasidungog sa Dungganon ug Talagsaong Kagay-anon”, the Awards Night served as the highlight of the 75th Charter anniversary celebration of Cagayan de Oro pursuant to RA 521 and in conjunction with the culmination of Higalaay Festival 2025, honoring Pedro Sa.
Baculio as an exemplary Kagay-anon par excellence. “We are deeply proud for this Award of Distinction to Pedro Sa. Baculio .
His life’s work and service have embodied excellence, integrity, leadership and service – values that have helped shape Cagayan de Oro’s identity as the City of Golden Friendship and strenthened its role as hub of culture, commerce and governance in Northern Mindanao”, the citation reads.
Congressman Pedro S. Baculio represented Misamis Oriental. During his term, Baculio worked diligently in the Philippine Congress to convert Cagayan de Misamis into a city, motivated by the urgent need for post-war reconstruction and urban development.
Baculio’s cityhood push laid the legislative foundation that would eventually give rise to modern-day Cagayan de Oro.
Pedro Sa. Baculio was a Filipino politician and lawyer. His father was a cattle rancher and copra farmer.
He was the mayor of Cagayan de Oro for a short time from March 1953 to December 1953. He relinquished his post when his presidential candidate lost to incumbent President Elpidio Quirino.
Baculio was also appointed as the acting provincial governor of Misamis Oriental in August 1, 1945. He also represented Misamis Oriental, which at that time included the Island of Camiguin and Cagayan de Oro, during the 1st Congress, from 1946 to 1949. In 1948, he authored the bills creating the City of Cagayan de Oro, Municipalities of Jasaan, Manticao and El Salvador in Misamis Oriental.
In 1949, future Vice President Emmanuel Pelaez succeeded him as the representative of Misamis Oriental.
The bill authored by Atty. Baculio was approved during the time of Congressman Pelaez.
Congressman Baculio is an icon of the bygone days wherein almost all public servants were of high esteem, impeccably educated and with stout professionalism.
Pedro Sa. Baculio was first elected Governor of Misamis Oriental defeating then Kingpin of Misamis Oriental Governor Gregorio Pelaez.
Then appointed Military Governor by General Fertig during World War II. He was elected Congressman in 1946 the first Congress of the Philippines.
He was also appointed Commissioner Development of Mindanao and Sulu 1957 to 61. Atty. Pedro Sa. Baculio died in 1963 at the age of 52.
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