Mt. Samat, Pilar, Bataan
9 April 2014
“Noon pa man, malinaw na sa mga Pilipino: maliit man tayo, kung nasa tama tayo, lalaban tayo,” said President Benigno S. Aquino III when he led the 72nd Commemoration of the Araw ng Kagitingan held in Pilar, Bataan.
Speaking before a number of war veterans, President Aquino emphasized a few of government’s endeavors in securing the welfare of these heroes who endured pain and sacrificed their lives in the name of the country. As such, the Pensioner’s Revalidation Program was implemented to verify the names of surviving pensioners being enlisted. As a result, a total of P396.91 million was returned to pension remittances.
Meanwhile, P17 million worth of medical services have been allotted to 1,092 veterans in 2013. Educational benefits for their dependents were also provided, of which a total of P36,000 were allocated every year.
“Marahil nga po, kapag tinanong ng kasalukuyang henerasyon kung ano ang ibig sabihin ng sakripisyo, ang pinaka-angkop na sagot ay ang inyong halimbawa,” he said.
The United States and Japan’s envoys to the Philippines, their Excellencies Philip Goldberg and Toshinao Urabe, were also present during the event.
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