The Department of National Defense (DND) reaffirmed its commitment towards advancing the Filipino Veterans’ welfare and wellbeing, during the Wreath Laying Ceremony at the Libingan ng mga Bayani, Fort Bonifacio on Wednesday.
Officer-in-Charge (OIC) Senior Undersecretary Carlito G. Galvez said that he is profoundly grateful to the veteran leaders and support institutions, partner organizations, as well as the youth sector for their participation in honoring the memory of the Filipino patriots.
“Napakahalaga ng sama-sama nating pagbabalik-tanaw sa mga naiambag ng ating mga beterano sa ating natatanging kasaysayan, kasalukuyan at kinabukasan,” Galvez said.
The ceremony is one of the commemorative events for this year’s Philippine Veterans Week, headed by the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO). With the theme, “Kagitingan ng mga beterano, pundasyon ng nagkakaisang Pilipino,” the commemoration calls for unity and solidarity, as Filipinos are reminded of the value of working together and sharing in the burdens of our people.
Galvez noted that one of the Department’s legislative priorities is the bill seeking to create the Philippine Veterans Authority by integrating the functions of agencies mandated to serve veterans such as PVAO, the Philippine Veterans Assistance Commission, and the board of trustees of the veterans of World War II (WWII).
The Department also firmly advocates for the enactment of House Bill No. 2490 or “An Act Rationalizing the Disability Pension of Veterans,” which aims to uplift the lives of disabled veterans, who incurred military service-connected disability, sickness, and injury, by increasing the disability pension rates to PhP 4,500.00 for the lowest disability rating, and up to PhP 10,000.00 for the highest disability rating.
Meanwhile, Taguig City Mayor Maria Laarni L. Cayetano welcomed the participants to the city for the celebration of the Araw ng Kagitingan. She stressed that while Filipinos are remembering the heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice to secure the country’s freedom, it is also everyone’s duty to live by the lessons and legacies left behind for the future generations.
“Ang kasaysayan ay mananatiling buhay lamang kung ito ay ipapasa natin sa susunod na henerasyon. Ang kabayanihan nawa ng ating mga bayani ay isapuso, at suklian natin sa pagsisikap na maging mabuting mamamayang Pilipino,” she said.
Cadet Girl Scout Olivia P. Sabado from Tarlac Girl Scout Council commemorated the gallant work of women veterans who were not limited by their gender and answered the call to serve the country. She also praised the WWII veterans for their courage and encouraged the public to keep their legacies alive.
“Ang kanilang pagkakaisang ipaglaban ang ating bansa ay isa sa mga dahilan kung bakit natin natatawag na ‘atin’ ang Pilipinas at kung bakit tayo nakatatamasa ng kalayaan sa ating bansa,” Sabado added.
On the other hand, Eagle Scout JP Laurenz G. Caong, representative from the Boy Scouts of the Philippines, expressed his profound gratitude to the veterans for their contributions to the Philippine freedom.
“Sa ating pong mga minamahal na beterano, kami po ay saludo sainyong ipinamalas na determinasyon, tapang, at pagmamahal sa bayan, upang ipagtanggol ang ating bansa at itaguyod ang mas magandang kinabukasan para sa ating mga mamamayan. At higit sa lahat, sa aming mga pag-asa ng bayan, ang kabataang Pilipino,” Caong said.
Guided by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s vision of a stronger and better Philippines through economic recovery, national unity, and nation-building, Galvez assured the stakeholders that the government will always side with the welfare and livelihood of the men and women in uniform.
“Be assured that the One Defense Team always puts importance on the well-being of our veterans, soldiers, and civilian human resource,” the Defense Chief concluded.
Also present in the ceremony were Kevin J. McAllister, Acting Director of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs and Usec. Reynaldo B. Mapagu, Administrator, PVAO. Lieutenant General Romeo S. Brawner Jr., Commanding General, Philippine Army; and, Major General Romeo Alamillo (Ret), Executive Vice President, Veterans Federation of the Philippines (VFP). (VICTOR BALDEMOR RUIZ)
