Bataan: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. will lead the commemoration of Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor) at Mount Samat National Shrine in Bataan on Wednesday. It will be the centerpiece event of Philippine Veterans Week, according to the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO) on Tuesday.
According to Philippines News Agency, in a Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon interview, Assistant Secretary Domingo Carbonell Jr., PVAO deputy administrator for operations, said Marcos will be joined by Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., the ambassadors of the United States and Japan, Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., and other government officials in a wreath-laying ceremony to honor Filipino and American soldiers who fought in World War II in the 1940s.
Araw ng Kagitingan commemorates the heroism and sacrifice of Filipinos during World War II and recalls the 1942 Fall of Bataan when Filipino and American forces surrendered to the Japanese Imperial Army after resisting for months with limited weapons, ammunition, and supplies.
Carbonell said this year's Philippine Veterans Week, which began on April 5, carries the theme 'Kabayanihan ng Beterano: Sandigan ng Kaunlaran ng Bagong Pilipinas (Veterans' Heroism: Foundation of a Progressive New Philippines).'
Veterans Week activities started with a sunrise ceremony and wreath-laying at Libingan ng mga Bayani (Heroes' Cemetery) in Taguig City, followed by a military parade in honor of veterans. A joint tribute will be held on April 10 in Capas, Tarlac, where officials will commemorate Filipino heroes from the time of Lapu-Lapu to present-day soldiers. The ceremony also remembers the Bataan Death March and the Filipino and American prisoners who perished at Camp O'Donnell.
Carbonell said the government continues to provide support to veterans through monthly pensions, disability benefits, medical care, and educational assistance for their dependents. He noted that World War II veterans receive a monthly pension of PHP20,000, while other post-war veterans receive PHP5,000 along with additional disability support.
He emphasized the importance of honoring the sacrifice, greatness, heroism, and love of country demonstrated by veterans, which will be valued for generations to come.
