By Brian Jules Campued
Honoring the sacrifices of Filipino war veterans and retired personnel of the Philippine military on the 82nd Araw ng Kagitingan, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. called on Filipinos to learn from the lessons of World War II (WWII) and never allow oppressors in the country’s territory.
“Nawa’y mapagkunan natin ito ng ibayong kamalayan, tapang at lakas ng loob. Higit sa lahat, nawa’y patuloy nitong pagtibayin ang ating pagkakaisa at ang ating pagiging makabansa,” Marcos said in a speech at the Day of Valor commemoration ceremony at Mt. Samat National Shrine in Pilar, Bataan on Tuesday.
The President stressed that the nation still faces “novel challenges” over eight decades since WWII, including violations of rules-based international order which have already “caused physical harm to our people”.
“Ang mga ito ay hindi katanggap-tanggap. Hindi makatwiran at hindi makatarungan lalo na sa panahong ito ng payapang pakikipag-ugnayan ng mga bansa,” he added.
The Chief Executive, likewise, paid tribute to war heroes and reminded Filipinos on the significance of the Fall of Bataan, more than just a “tiresome recollection of a horrendous loss” in Philippine history.
“It serves as a constant reminder of our singular purpose towards the future as one nation, supported by like-minded allies in this post-war, rules-based international order,” said Marcos.
Reiterating the government’s support to its soldiers, Marcos also ordered the Department of National Defense (DND) and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to assess and submit a report on the military’s equipment.
“We are doubling our efforts to enhance their operational capability. We must therefore also ensure their safety by procuring the right equipment,” he remarked.
He also directed concerned government agencies to study the existing benefits for disabled soldiers, making sure that they are getting appropriate recognition for their sacrifices.
Visit to VMMC
Meanwhile, the President personally handed a P150-million assistance to the Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC) for the procurement of better hospital equipment.
Following the Day of Valor ceremony in Bataan, Marcos visited VMMC’s Renal Dialysis Center in Quezon City to extend the donation, which will be used to purchase a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machine.
According to the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), the DND requested the funding for a 1.5-Tesla MRI machine to assist doctors in accurately diagnosing critical cases.
The hospital’s sole MRI machine acquired in 2011 became unserviceable last year, PCO said.
The VMMC, manned by nine doctors and 27 nurses, said it is planning an expansion to accommodate more hemodialysis patients including establishing a kidney transplantation center in the next three to five years.
The hospital’s dialysis center treats more than 200 patients composed of World War II veterans, retired military personnel, and their dependents.
The facility also provides services and medicines free of charge.
The cheque turned over by Marcos came from the President’s Social Fund.
PCO said there are 60,180 surviving WWII and post-WWII Filipino veterans as of March 2024, while a total of P10.198 billion was already released to a monthly average of 145,050 pensioners last year. – avds
