President Aquino leads commemoration of Araw ng
Kagitingan in Bataan
(PILAR, Bataan) President Benigno S. Aquino III
on
Wednesday renewed the government’s commitment to promote
the welfare of World War II veterans and their families.
In his message during the commemoration of Araw
ng Kagitingan in Pilar, Bataan, the President said the heroism and sacrifices
of war veterans have given true meaning to Filipino nationalism, thus, the
government should pay its debt of gratitude to the Filipino soldiers who fought
during the second World War.
“Kaya nga po, lumipas man ang maraming taon,
tuloy pa rin ang pagkilala ng estado sa inyong pakikiambag. Ang hangad natin:
Sapat na pagkalinga sa mga beterano at sa inyong mga pamilya, upang tumbasan
ang malasakit na ipinamalas ninyo noon,” President Aquino said.
He noted that one of the major thrusts of the
government is to rid its database of bogus pensioners so that legitimate
claimants could enjoy their benefits.
With the newly launched Pensioner’s Revalidation
Program, the government could ensure that legitimate pensioners and their
beneficiaries get benefits from the government, he said.
Starting this year, he said, the government will
cease extending benefits to 22,534 illegitimate accounts and will suspend 14,616
accounts, so it could provide legitimate pensioners remittances amounting to
P396.61 million.
He further said that last March, the Philippine
Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO) extended services to about 133,784 legitimate
veterans and their spouses.
“Tinitiyak nating sa mga karapat-dapat lamang
mapupunta ang bawat pisong inilalaan natin mula sa kaban ng bayan,” the
President said.
The government is also extending appropriate
healthcare services to veterans through the Veterans Memorial Medical Center
(VMMC) and its branches nationwide, he said, noting that last year, medical
care extended to 1,092 war veterans amounted to P17 million.
The VMMC has also expanded its services to
veterans to include cataract operation, coronary angiogram, and cardiac bypass,
the President said.
The government is likewise prioritizing the
educational benefit given to the war veterans’ dependents, he said, adding that
in 2013, some 2,059 students were assisted by PVAO.
There is a yearly financial assistance of
P36,000 for each qualified dependent of veterans, he said.
Among those who joined the President during
Wednesday’s event were US Ambassador to the Philippines Philip Goldberg,
Japanese Ambassador Toshinao Urabe and Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin.
The theme of this year’s commemoration of Araw
ng Kagitingan was “Balik-Tanaw sa Sakripisyo ng Beterano, Gabay sa Landas ng
Pagbabago.” PND (as)
President Aquino commends Marines who guarded
Ayungin Shoal
(PILAR, Bataan) President Benigno S. Aquino III
on Wednesday praised the members of the Philippine Marines who guarded the
country’s territorial boundaries at the Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine
Sea in the past five months.
The sacrifices of the nine Marines, led by 1st
Lieutenant Mike Pelotera, are exemplary, the President said in his message
during the 72nd Commemoration of the Araw ng Kagitingan in Bataan.
The Marines stayed on board the BRP Sierra
Madre, the government’s naval outpost in the shoal, for almost five months,
watching the sea and without communicating with their respective families, he
said.
There were times when the delivery of their
supplies and equipment were blocked by the Chinese Coast Guard, he added.
“Araw-gabi, sakay ng nakatirik na BRP Sierra
Madre, ay naka-angkla lamang ang kanilang dedikasyon sa pagtutok at pagbabantay
ng ating teritoryo,” the President said.
“Kaya naman po, kasama ng ating mga beterano,
kabilang din ang mga kawal na tulad nila sa mga kinikilala natin ngayon. Saludo
po ang sambayanang Pilipino sa inyo.”
He said this is why his administration is
committed to equipping the Filipino soldiers with necessary tools and know-how
for them to perform their duties well.
The chief executive noted that under the AFP
Modernization and Capability Upgrade Program, the national government allocated
more than P36 billion and has completed 38 projects since July 2010.
This includes the acquisition of modern vehicles
and equipment that will strengthen the armed forces, he said.
“Sa ganito man lang pong paraan, ay mapagaan
natin ang mga hindi-birong tungkulin na kanilang tinutupad upang paglingkuran
ang ating bansa.”
The President also mentioned in his message that
countries must learn from the lessons of World War II.
He said nations must learn how to respect other
nations, build mutual trust and work for their common good.
“Sa paraan nga pong ito, masisiguro nating hindi
na mauulit pa ang madilim na kabanatang iyon ng ating kasaysayan,” he said. PND
(as)
