An official of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Pampanga on Wednesday urged the public to respect the monument of Kapampangan hero Jose Abad Santos amid acts of vandalism.
Engr. Almer Miranda, chief of DPWH 1st District Engineering Office (DEO), made the appeal after seeing damaged tiles and stolen lighting fixtures at the hero’s monument along Jose Abad Santos Avenue in this city.
Miranda, together with other officials from the district office, led a wreath-laying ceremony at the site to mark the 83rd death anniversary of the hero.
“Sana pagmalasakitan natin ang estatwa ng ating kapwa Kapampangan na bayani. Itinayo ito bilang paggalang sa kanyang kabayanihan, kaya sana ay huwag natin itong sirain,” Miranda said.
He also sought the assistance of the city government to ensure the proper maintenance and protection of the monument.
“Sana ‘yung mga traffic enforcers natin ay tumulong sa pagtiyak na walang tumitira o naglalagi dito para mapanatili ang kaayusan sa paligid ng monumento,” Miranda said.
The official added that his office is looking into the possibility of sourcing funds for the rehabilitation and preservation of the historic site.
Jose Abad Santos, a native of San Fernando, served as the fifth chief justice of the Supreme Court and briefly acted as president of the Commonwealth government during World War II.
He was executed by Japanese forces in 1942 for refusing to collaborate with the occupying army.