• President Aquino highlights importance of maintaining peace during commemoration of the 74th ‘Araw Ng Kagitingan’ today
• President Aquino thanks Filipinos for giving him the opportunity to serve them

In his speech during the event, the President said World War II caused so much devastation and misery in the Philippines and other countries affected by it.

“Napakalaki nga po ng pinsalang hatid ng Ikalawang Digmaang Pandaigdig, na nangyari wala pang isang henerasyon ang nakakalipas matapos ang Unang Digmaang Pandaigdig,” he said in his speech.

“Sa mga nawasak na kabuhayan at imprastraktura, lalong-lalo na sa mga inangkin nitong maraming buhay, talaga pong pinadapa nito ang mga apektadong mga bansa.”

One of the lessons of World War II is that in times of war any country cannot stay neutral and in one way or another it can be dragged into the conflict, he noted.

Countries must immediately address small misunderstanding among nations because once quarrels go out of hand they can result to regional or global conflagration, the President said.

He cited Syria as an example, noting the huge influx of refugees resulting from the ongoing civil war in that country now affects most European countries.

“Pangunahin po nito ang problema nila sa mga refugees, at ang lumalaganap na terorismong nagwawasak sa buhay ng marami,” he said.

“Kaakibat nga po ng kawalan ng estabilidad sa Syria ang maaaring pagkalat ng sakit dahil na rin sa pagkakahinto ng serbisyong pangkalusugan.”

“Dulo po nito, kung hahayaan nating magpatuloy ang ganitong sitwasyon, puwedeng magkaroon ng outbreak at madamay tayong lahat.”

In war, everyone is a loser, he said adding those who died during World War II may have become professionals like teachers, lawyers and leaders who could have contributed to global development.

This year’s commemoration carries the theme: “Isabuhay ang Kagitingan, Kapayaan ay Pagkaisahan, Kamtin ang Mithiing Kaunlaran.”

The President was joined by US Ambassador to the Philippines Philip Goldberg, Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Kazuhide Ishikawa, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and Bataan Gov. Albert Garcia. PND (as)

“Bago po ako magtapos, sa pagpasok ko po rito, may isang aleng bumati sa akin, ang sabi, ‘Salamat sa anim na taon,'” the President said in a speech during the 74th commemoration of the Araw ng Kagitingan here.

“Ang dapat po sanang tugon ko dito, ‘Salamat sa inyo sa ipinagkaloob ninyong mandato para makagawa ng pagbabago. Talaga naman pong hindi mapapantayan ang pagkakataong ito.’ Ito na nga po ang huli, ako po’y magpapaalam na sa inyo sa Bataan.”

As he said goodbye to the nation, the President once again reminded Filipinos that they will be once again facing a crossroad.

In the coming election this May, he said he hopes Filipinos would choose leaders who put public service before self interest.

“Ang tanong ko sa inyo: Pipiliin ba natin ang lideratong inuuna ang sariling interes, habang ginagarantiya ang pagdurusa ng mga nasa ibaba? Pipiliin po ba natin ang lideratong gustong daanin ang lahat sa shortcut, nang walang pagsasaalang-alang sa mga nasasagasaan?” he asked.

“Pipiliin po ba natin ang mga napakatatamis na pangako, pero tila ba walang sapat na pag-unawa sa mga prosesong kailangang daanan para makamtan ito?”

He told the people that he continues to adhere to the Daang Matuwid agenda that he has initiated, hoping Filipinos will support new leaders who also believe in his reform agenda.

As to the programs carried out by his administration for the World War II veterans, he said one of the reform measures include the Pensioner’s Validation Program that intends to clean up the list of veterans so that legitimate recipients get the benefits they deserve.

The government also extended free healthcare services to the veterans and their dependents through the Veterans Hospitalization Program.

In less than six years, he said 10,600 veterans and their dependents got free medical assistance not only at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center, but also from 183 accredited public and private hospitals across the country.

“Nasa halagang P91 million na nga po ang halagang naisukli ng taumbayan sa inyong sakripisyo sa ilalim ng programang ito,” he said.

The veterans’ daily hospitalization subsidy was also increased to P1,500 from P1,200, he said.

The government has also modernized the VMMC, put up an eye center, renovated the Operating Room Complex, Medical Intensive Care Unit, and the Outpatient Department Complex.

The hospital’s Renal Dialysis Unit, Medical Intensive Therapy Unit, and Post-Anesthesia Care unit were also expanded, the President said.

Aside from providing healthcare, veterans’ direct descendants can now receive up to P36,000 each year as financial support for their college education. He reported that his government has so far spent P370 million for the program within his term.

This year’s commemoration of the Araw Ng Kagitingan carries the theme “Isabuhay and Kagitingan, Kapayapaan ay Pagkaisahan, Kamtin ang Mithing Kaunlaran.” PND (as)