PILAR, Bataan — Gov. Jose Enrique Garcia 3rd said that both Pres. Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr and his late father, former Pres. Ferdinand E. Marcos, Sr., will be remembered as builders of the longest bridges in the country as he honored the World War II veterans during the 81st Araw ng Kagitingan Monday in this hallowed mountain.
“Ang inyong kontribusyon at sakripsyo ang naghubog sa takbo ng ating kasaysayan at kung ano ang narating ng bansang Filipino kaya naman hindi ko maiwasan na isipin kayo, ang ating mga bayani nang magkaroon ng ceremonial drilling sa Mariveles kamakailan kasama ang ating Pangulong Marcos,” the governor told the veterans.
“Sa parehong tanawin kung saan kayo nagpamalas ng kabayanihan 81 taon na ang nakalipas ay itatayo ang isang pambihirang istraktura na magbibigay ng panibagong pag-asa at kaunlaran sa lahat ng Pilipino,” Garcia furthered.
He recalled that then President Marcos, Sr. built the two-kilometer San Juanico Bridge that connects Samar and Leyte, completed in 1973 and considered as the longest bridge in the country.
The governor said that if President Marcos, Sr. built in the Visayas the longest bridge, after 50 years during the time of his son President Bongbong Marcos, the 32-kilometer Bataan – Cavite Interlink Bridge that crosses Manila Bay will rise to become the longest bridge in the country.
“Much like this iconic bridge that will not only connect two provinces but also the two largest regions, Central Luzon and Southern Tagalog, our veterans served as a link that binds our love for country,” Garcia said.
“You are the foundation upon which our history stands, the driving force that propels us forward into the future. You have taken the crucial steps that have shaped our nation’s path and forged our identity,” the governor told the veterans.
He promised in return that they will continue on preserving and honoring the veterans’ memories and ideals towards unity and progress of the country and people.
“Mahalaga na ipasa natin ang kuwento ng ating mga bayani sa susunod na henerasyon upang hindi malimutan ang kanilang mga sakripisyo,” Garcia told the audience.
President Marcos, Jr. for the first time during his incumbency set foot on the hallowed ground of Mount Samat where stand the War Memorial Shrine and the 92-meter-high War Memorial Cross that his father built.
After offering wreath of flowers with the Japanese and American representatives, the young Marcos shook hands with surviving WWII veterans on the way to the stage.
