CITY OF SAN FERNANDO--Governor Lilia Pineda yesterday urged Kapampangans to never forget the valuable lessons from the 1991 eruption of Mt. Pinatubo and how the destructive forces of the subsequent lahar flows have proven the indomitable courage and resiliency of the Kapampangan spirit.
"The lessons of those years and the values that we have learned must never be forgotten. They should be kept alive for future generations to learn from," Governor Pineda said.
This, as the Provincial Government of Pampanga and the private sector led by businessman Levy P. Laus will be hosting a grand commemoration celebration on June 15, the date when Mt. Pinatubo erupted 25 years ago.
Laus said that 25 years after the eruption, there is a wealth of experience to be learned from the calamity and this should not be lost to young people today, most of who were born after or during the eruptions.
Among the highlights of this year’s event are the thanksgiving mass and the "Celebration of the Triumph of the Kapampangan's Unity and Resiliency" which will feature the Manila Symphony Orchestra and local artists.
As early as 6:00 am, participants will assemble at the Archdiocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes for the commemorative Walk to San Guillermo Parish in Bacolor town.
The commemoration and celebration this June 15 will be led by Governor Pineda and the Mt. Pinatubo Executive Committee chaired Laus, together with the Archdiocese of San Fernando.
Former government officials, private representatives, media institutions, religious organizations and the members of the international community who contributed to the relocation, rehabilitation and recovery of the province after the eruption will also be recognized during the celebration, which will be held at the newly opened Laus Group Event Centre.
Recently, June 15 was declared a special non-working day in Pampanga and Angeles City through Proclamation 1259, s. 2016 signed by President Benigno Aquino III.
This is in recognition to the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo in 1991, which is considered the second largest volcanic eruption in the twentieth century that caused massive destruction not only in Pampanga but also in neighboring provinces.