Mt. Samat Shrine, Pilar, Bataan
9 April 2013

President Benigno S. Aquino III led the commemoration of the 71st Araw ng Kagitingan held at the Mt. Samat Shrine, Pilar, Bataan with the theme, “Ang Beterano: Sigla at Inspirasyon ng Kabataan Tungo sa Tuwid na Daan.”

In his message, the President honored the patriotism of the veterans during the Second World War and saluted their heroism of defending the country. He also stated that after the lessons from history comes the virtue of unity that enable every nation to take solidarity and unified movement towards collective progress.

“Gaano man kalawak ang mundo; ilang dagat man ang pumapagitan sa mga lupain at lalawigan – tayong lahat ay nasa iisang bangka lamang. Anumang banta sa kapayapaan at kabuhayan sa alinmang bansa ay maaaring bumuway at magpalundo sa kalakhang estabilidad ng buong mundo,” he said.

President Aquino cited the government’s programs in reaching out to the needs of the war veterans.  One such example is the the Total Administrative Disability (TAD) Pensions by the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO) that involves the P1,700 monthly allowance for veterans who have reached the age of seventy.  Other programs include the implementation of the Filipino Veterans Equity Compensation Law and initiatives for medical assistance.

“Mabuti pa pong balita, mula nitong Enero, ang subsidy sa mga pasyenteng magpapagamot sa pampublikong pasilidad ay itinaas na natin mula walong daang piso, paakyat ng isanlibo at dalawandaang piso kada araw. Muli, ang lahat po ng mga inisyatibang ito ay nakakabit sa pagtanaw natin ng utang na loob sa di matatawarang pag-aalay ng sarili ng ating mga beterano,” he stated.

Moreover, President Aquino commended the efforts of America and Japan in upholding world peace and progress. At the end of his speech, he highlighted that everyone should also take their pledge of nationalism as we walk through significant changes in the country.

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