WREATH-LAYING. Government officials and several veterans and their families lay wreaths at the marker of fallen World War II veterans on Friday (April 26, 2024). The 79th liberation day anniversary from the Japanese occupation was commemorated with a simple ceremony at the Quezon Park in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental. (PNA photo by Mary Judaline Flores Partlow)
DUMAGUETE CITY – A Negros Oriental Heroes Wall is set for construction this year in this provincial capital to honor the fallen veterans who fought alongside allied forces during World War II.
Veterans Federation of the Philippines’s Sons and Daughters Association Inc. (VFP-SDAI) district president, retired Judge Rafael Crescencion Tan, made the announcement Friday during the city’s commemoration of the 79th Liberation Day from Japanese occupation at the Quezon Park here.
“The Negros Oriental Heroes Wall will be built on the left side of the Col. Roman T. Yap old building at the Silliman University ball field and will serve as a memorial and testament to the bravery and courage of our local war veterans,” Tan said.
Over a thousand names of local WWII veterans were provided by the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO) by Assistant Secretary Restituto Aguilar for etching on the wall, he said.
Tan hopes the design for the Negros Oriental Heroes Hall would be shouldered by the city government, costing some PHP 600,000.
Tan said they hope to finish the Heroes’ Wall this year or early next year, before the city’s 80th liberation day anniversary.
According to Tan, At least nine WWII veterans are still alive and currently living in the province.
Jesus Cacas Dagonton, 92, the oldest living war veteran in this capital, was present and was among those honored last year in a separate activity by the PVAO.
His eldest child, Arcily Dagonton Roda, who accompanied him, said his father had served with the allied forces in Korea.
Dagonton is now facing functional disabilities such as loss of hearing and memory, but sometimes would still be able to recount some of his experiences during WW II, his daughter said.
“The liberation of Dumaguete City was a significant event in the history of the province and the country, as it secured the southern parts of the Philippines and cut off the enemies’ supply line. The victory marked the end of a dark period of oppression and violence in the Negros Island,” PVAO said on its website. (PNA)
