My warmest greetings to every Filipino as we commemorate the 122nd Philippine Independence Day.
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) joins the Filipino people as we, again, look back at our glorious past to celebrate the momentous Philippine Independence Day, now on its 122nd year.
The resilience and heroism of the Filipino people which has led to our emancipation from more than 300 years of Spanish colonization is now being tested anew as we battle COVID-19 – an invisible adversary that is gripping the entire world.
With the same passion and courage demonstrated by our forebears and heroes, we are called today to stand up and contribute our efforts to defeat COVID-19 and protect our communities, our neighbours, and our families from this disease. We are asked to act in unity, just like the revolutionary movement of previous generations, to attain our freedom from this pandemic.
I would like to emphasize that celebrating this day does not mean we disregard the guidelines set by the government to defeat COVID-19. On the contrary, let’s commemorate it by fighting for our liberation from this disease by cooperating with the government and living with personal discipline.
Our Independence Day is an opportune time for us to prove to our heroes that we are worth their sacrifices as we work together with the same fervor and commitment to free our country from the shackles of this disease.
Patuloy po nating pag-alabin ang pagmamahal at malasakit sa Bayan lalo na ngayong Araw ng Kalayaan.
Mabuhay ang lahing Pilipino! Mabuhay ang ating Republika!
– Secretary Eduardo M. Año