TECHNICAL Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) Deputy Director General Diosdado Padilla underscored the importance of defending the country in celebration of the country's Independence Day on June 12.
“Kaya po napakahalaga na dapat talaga tayo ay magdiwang ng ating Independence upang manariwa sa puso nating lahat na dapat nating ipagtanggol ang ating bayan laban sa sinumang magbabanta sa pag agaw nito (That's why it's important to celebrate our Independence day to keep alive in our hearts to defend our country against anyone who wants to take it away),” said Padilla, who was the guest of honor and speaker during the 119th Independence Day rites at the Bacolod public plaza on Monday.
The event was attended by about 3,000 people, including city officials, employees, war veterans, and members of the Philippine National Police and Philippine Army.
Padilla, who represented Tesda Director General Guiling Mamondiong, said that “we have to be thankful to God that every year, we are celebrating the Philippine Independence Day.”
He added that the crisis in Mindanao, the conflict between the government troops and the Maute group, could be a threat to Philippine independence.
“Because of the incident, President Rodrigo Duterte declared Martial Law in Mindanao,” Padilla said.
For his part, Mayor Evelio Leonardia said, “Let us consider that our forefathers did this for our future. They wanted us to have this freedom because this will mean our opportunity and our right to provide for ourselves.”
“I remember it was the late President Manuel Quezon who said that ‘I would rather see the Philippines run like hell by the Filipinos that the Philippines run like heaven by the Americans’ and I believe that is still true today. Our forefathers sacrificed their blood, sweat and tears and even their lives because they wanted us to have that golden right to see to it that we can govern ourselves,” the mayor added.
“Let us just talk about Bacolod City, why our forefathers strived to have our independence? It is because they wanted us to see to it among ourselves. We can see that Bacolod will develop, grow, progress, and will enjoy prosperity, that is for everybody,” Leonardia said.
‘Intensify solidarity, passion’
Negros Occidental Fifth District Board Member Alain Gatuslao, who represented Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. during the rites held at the Capitol Driveway in Bacolod, said that “our forefathers took a stand and lay down their lives 119 years ago.”
“As we honor the men and women who chose to stand up for our country, may we be reminded the values of bravery, selflessness and loyalty. To this day, we continue to walk the path of our heroes,” he added.
Gatuslao also said that “with our desire for peace, equality and justice, it is noteworthy to say that we Filipinos always unite as a people amid difficulties and challenges.”
“United by our love for our country and selfless sense of duty for our fellowmen, we have shown the world the true essence of what is means to be a Filipino,” he said, adding that the government has also worked tirelessly to deepen the meaning of freedom in the past years.
“Our celebration of independence is a powerful reminder of the true measure of our strength as a country. One people overcoming adversities and zealously driven by a shared vision of unity and peace. May this occasion intensify our solidarity and passion as a people as we continue to preserve our independence, and continue to promote justice, instill morality, break barriers of inequality that divide us,” he added.
Meanwhile, some members of militant groups trooped to the Fountain of Justice in Bacolod to express their indignation against martial law declared in Mindanao.
They are also calling for prayers and peace in the war-torn region. (with reports from MPE)