Folks 'empowered' in Edsa rites: officials

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Marginalized Fernandinos took center stage on Monday as the City Government here marked the 27th anniversary commemoration of the Epifanio Delos Santos Avenue (Edsa) People Power Revolution themed "Relive the Spirit of Edsa, Empower the People."

Starting with an "Edsa Walk" led by Mayor Oscar Rodriguez and soldiers from the Philippine Army, Philippine National Police personnel, college students, Dominican sisters, city officials and employees from four points that converged at City Hall, the rites were highlighted by two new initiatives -- first being a package of new benefits for the marginalized sector and the second, a new milestone for the City College of San Fernando.

City Administrator Ferdinand Caylao announced 20 new beneficiaries of financial aid for livelihood opportunities.

More than 700 SEA-K beneficiaries were given checks amounting to P5,000 each, while Commission on Higher Education Regional Director Dr. Virginia Akiate disclosed the formal government recognition granted to all the four-year courses offered by the City College.

Rodriguez said "empowering people" is the true spirit behind the historic People Power Revolution of 1986.

"We must never forget the triumph of people power that toppled a dictatorship for us to enjoy today democracy and freedom, empowered as we are. Always keep in our hearts that momentous occasion when were liberated ourselves from the grip of bad governance. This is an event that is hard to forget, and this deserves to be preserved and kept until the next generation," said Rodriguez, who narrated his experience as one of the first to respond to the call of officials then led by the late Jaime Cardinal Sin.

For his part, Vice Mayor Edwin Santiago told Sun.Star Pampanga that the gains of Edsa must be sustained.

"That is the most important thing we should do to continue living in true democracy. We should always live the spirit of Edsa by serving the people at all times in the best ways we can," he said.