Oxnard—The City Council issued a proclamation honoring Philippine Independence Day Flag Raising during its meeting on Tuesday, June 3, which drew a great crowd of supporters.
MAYOR Luis McArthur read the proclamation and stated that the Philippines declared its independence from Spain over 125 years ago after 300 years of Spanish rule, which brought cheers.
“The first Filipino immigrants came to Ventura County in the early 1930s and worked as migrant farm workers who made historic and significant contributions to the agricultural and economic growth of this County,” he said. “The Filipinos in the Military served side-by-side with Americans in World War II, which paved the way into the US Naval Service in 1947. Countless Filipino Americans have served and continue to serve this great nation during the Korean War, Vietnam, Desert Storm, Afghanistan, and the Iraq conflicts.”
He noted that many Filipinos are Employed as City, County, and State employees, as well as professionals in the medical, legal, educational, and business communities.
“There are a large number of Filipino-Americans in this County who contribute to this economy, and many continue to be in the forefront of progressive movements and create a fair and just society for all of us,” he said.
Sonia spoke on behalf of the group and said and appreciated Oxnard’s friendship with the Filipino-American Community in Ventura County.
“As Mayor McArthur said, on June 12, 1898, the Philippines Declared independence after 300 years of Spanish rule,” she said. “This year, 2025, marks 125 years of freedom from Spain. We’re really excited to celebrate this day with you on June 13 at City Hall, and we will have our flag-raising ceremony again this year.”