WREATH-LAYING. House Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (center), flanked by Bulacan Governor Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado (second from right) and Vice Gov. Daniel R. Fernando (second from left), leads the wreath-laying ceremony before the statue of Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo in commemoration of the 121st Anniversary of the Declaration of Philippine Independence held at the historic grounds of Barasoain Church, City of Malolos, Bulacan on Wednesday (June 12, 2019). Rep. Lorna C. Silverio of the Third District of Bulacan (extreme left) and Malolos Mayor Christian D. Natividad (extreme right) also graced the event. (Photo by Manny Balbin)
CITY OF MALOLOS, Bulacan -- Former President and now House Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on Wednesday called on the Filipinos to take care of the freedom and independence, which the country’s forefathers fought for against the colonizers 121 years ago.
Arroyo, the guest of honor during the celebration of the 121st Philippine Independence Day held at the patio of the historic Barasoain Church here, said it is the duty of the Filipinos who are now enjoying such independence to protect it, taking into consideration the sacrifices of the ancestors, who gave their lives to the motherland.
“Walang katapusan ang pagtatayo ng malaya at maunlad na bansa. May tungkulin ang bawat Pilipino na nagtatamasa nang ating kalayaan na alagaan ito para sa henerasyon natin at para sa susunod na henerasyon. At sa panahong ito, mas lalong kailangan ang pagkakaisa ng sambayanan sa pamumuno ni Pangulong Duterte (there is no end in building a free and prosperous nation. It is a duty of every Filipino now enjoying the freedom to take care of it for our generation and for the next generations,” she said.
She also shared how honored their family is, on behalf of her father Diosdado P. Macapagal, the country’s fifth President, for bringing the celebration of Philippine Independence back to June 12.
During that time, she added that one million Filipinos marched to Luneta to commemorate the country's independence on June 12, 1962, and in 1964, the Congress agreed and passed a law declaring June 12 of every year as Independence Day of the Philippines.
In line with this, Gov. Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado also shared several developmental projects for Bulacan, which can contribute to lower the country's poverty rate.
“Because of freedom, we have the opportunity to set our own destiny. Now, we are just waiting to be done and finished the bypass roads, North Luzon Eastern Alignment, North Railways, the new six-lane road in San Jose del Monte that goes out to Balagtas, international airport, coastal roads that will cut travel time by almost one hour, and important bridges,” Alvarado said.
He also said that Filipinos despite being free should fight, stand up for justice, and value the true meaning of freedom.
Vice Governor Daniel R. Fernando, likewise, said that it is the responsibility of the Filipinos to continue fight for freedom from abusers.
"We are here and celebrating as we remember the past, but does not mean that we have nothing else to do, it is our responsibility to continue to fight for freedom,” Fernando said.
Malolos City Mayor Christian Natividad, for his part, asked the Bulakenyos not to forget the roles of their forefathers who played key roles in the struggle for the country’s independence.
Anchored on the theme “Kalayaan 2019: Tapang ng Bayan, Malasakit sa Mamamayan,” the event started with a flag-raising ceremony followed by the oath to the Philippine flag.
Arroyo, together with Alvarado and Fernando, led the wreath-laying ceremony at the monument of Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo, the country's first President.
The event was witnessed by Rosario Sapitan of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines, Brig. Gen. Napoleon Coronel, director of the Police Regional Office 3, and some local officials. (PNA)
