BALANGA CITY — The provincial government of Bataan for the first time held on Sunday its colorful celebration of the country’s 124th Independence Day at The Bunker, seat of the provincial Capitol here.
It was the first physical celebration of Independence Day in the province in two years after the onslaught of the pandemic caused by the dreaded coronavirus disease.
The rites started with the entry of provincial officials led by outgoing Gov. Albert Garcia and Vice Gov. Cris Garcia and the colors as employees watched from the corridors of the seven-storey edifice.
The Bunker, a stunning structure at the former Bataan Capitol, was so named to remember the sacrifices of World War II veterans.
The governor paid tribute to both the World War II veterans and the frontliners who sacrificed their lives so others will live.
He said that after the second world war that claimed thousands of lives, the country again experienced a war against the pandemic.
“Marahil ang mga healthcare workers, frontliners, men in uniform ay humugot din ng inspirasyon sa ating mga ninuno, mga kababayan na talagang nagbigay ng magandang ehemplo nitong mga nakaraang taon,” said Garcia, the incoming second congressional district representative.
“Kaya napakaimportante na sinasariwa natin ang mga sakripisyo, ang mga ambag ng mga nauna sa atin dahil ito ang paghuhugutan natin ng inspirasyon sa hamon na ating sinasagupa ngayong makabagong panahon,” the governor said.
He considered the World War II soldiers as well as the frontliners as heroes who deserve to be given accolade.
“Kaya sa umagang ito ay hinihingi ko sa bawat isa na bigyan natin ng masigabong palakpakan ang ating mga bayani mahigit isang daan taon na ang nakalipas, ang ating mga beterano noong World War II, at itong nakaraang dalawang taon, ang ating mga frontliners, na talaga namang ipinaglaban tayo nitong pandemya,” Garcia said.
