House Speaker Arroyo says family is honored for having Independence Day back to June 12
Gloria Macapagal Arroyo shared how honored their family is on behalf of her father Diosdado P. Macapagal, fifth president of the country, for bringing the celebration of Philippines Independence back to June 12 during the commemoration of the 121st Anniversary of the Declaration Philippine Independence at the historic Barasoain Church in this city today.
“Malaking karangalan sa aking pamilya na ang nakatakda ng Araw ng Kalayaan sa tamang petsa na ika-12 ng Hunyo ay ang aking ama. Naisip nya noong kongresista pa sya na hindi tamang gunitain ang paglaya sa ika-4 ng Hulyo dahil iyon din ang independensya ng Estados Unidos, sumasabay tayo sa bansang dating sumakop sa atin at para pa rin tayong nakatali at patuloy na umaasa sa kanyang pagtatanggol,” Arroyo, the guest speaker said.
She added that during that time, 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 stating that June 12 of every year is the Independence Day of the Philippines.
“May tungkulin ang bawat Pilipinong nagtatamasa ng Kalayaan na pangalagaan ito, tayong lahat ang nagtatayo at tumatangkilik sa tuloy-tuloy na pag unlad ng bansa, Patuloy pa rin tayong nakikipaglaban sa kahirapan , masasabi nating naibaba ng mga magkakasunod na administrasyon sa 39% ang antas nito nung naupo ako bilang pangulo hanggang 26% nung bumaba ako, at kung mapapababa ni Pangulong Duterte sa 14% sa 2022, tagumpay ito ng buong henerasyon,” Arroyo said.
In line with this, Gov Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alavarado also shared some developmental projects for Bulacan that can contribute in lowering the poverty rate of the country.
“Dahil sa kalayaan, nagkaroon tayo ng pagkakataong magtakda ng sarili nating tadhana . Ngayon, hinihintay na lang nating magawa at matapos ang mga bypass road, North Luzon Alignment, North Railways, ang bagong 6-lane road sa San Jose del Monte na lalabas sa Balagtas, International Airport, coastal roads that will cut travel time by almost one hour, at mga mahahalagang tulay,” Alvarado said.
He also said that Filipinos despite being free should be Filipinos who fight, stand up for justice and value the true meaning of freedom.
Vice Gov. Daniel R. Fernando for his part said that. “Narito tayo at nagdiriwang habang ginugunita ang nakaraan, ngunit hindi ibig sabihin wala na tayong ibang gagawin, responsibilidad pa rin natin na patuloy na ipaglaban ang kalayaan mula sa mga umaabuso nito at patuloy na nagpapahirap sa bansa”.
The commemoration which is anchored on the theme, “Kalayaan 2019: Tapang ng Bayan, Malasakit sa Mamamayan” started with a Flag Raising Ceremony followed by the Oath to the Philippine Flag and wreath laying at Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo’s monument, the first Philippine president.
Also present in the event were Congresswoman Lorna Silverio of the third district of Bulacan, Mayor Ambrosio Cruz, League of Municipalities of the Philippines-Bulacan president, Police Chief Superintendent Joel Napoleon Coronel, director of the Police Regional Office III (PRO)-Central Luzon, and Rosario Sapitan of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines among others.