(TRIBUTE. Mayor Edwin Edsa Santiago (center) is joined by Vice Mayor Jimmy Lazatin, VW Nicandro Montes of the Grand Lodge of the Philippines, CSF Independence Day celebration chair Robbie Hizon, Kapampangan food historian Lilian Borromero, and Supt. Levi Hope Basilio of the San Fernando Police during the wreath-laying ceremony at the monument of Philippine National Hero Dr. Jose Rizal on June 12 at the Heroes Park, City of San Fernando.)
MAYOR Edwin EdSa Santiago led the City Government of San Fernando as it joined the nation in celebrating the 120th Philippine Independence Day at the Heroes Park and Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center, respectively.
Some monuments of national and local heroes built at the Heroes Park, including Dr. Jose Rizals and Chief Justice Jose Abad Santos were wreath-laid by Santiago, Vice Mayor Jimmy Lazatin, City Councilors, Region 3 government agencies regional directors, Military and Uniformed Contingents, CSF-LGU department heads, and members of non-government organizations.
Delegates of the wreath-laying ceremonies also graced the Civic Military Parade followed by the Flag Raising ceremony and a short program held at Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center. During his speech, Santiago highlighted that in CSF, independence equates to the idea that Fernandinos should freely avail the services of the city, such as education, employment, and investment opportunities which could improve their living.
Dapat lamang na malayang makatanggap ng mga serbisyo ang mga Fernandino. Dapat lamang na ang bawat buwis na pumapasok sa ating gobyerno ay mapalitan ng dekalidad na serbisyo. Dedikasyon natin na malayang makapag-aral, makapag-trabaho, at makapamuhunan ang Fernandinos sa syudad- yan ang tunay na kahulugan ng kalayaan, said Santiago.
In addition, Santiago expressed that apart from providing social services, the city aims for great solidarity through giving every Fernandino a chance to voice out their concerns and to express their ideals for the common good.
Ang kalayaan ay produkto ng pagkakaisa at ang pagkakaisa ay matatamasa kung hahayaan nating maisambit ng bawat Fernandino sa ating mga nanunungkulan at empleyado ang kanilang hinaing at kanilang ideya para sa ikakabuti ng nilalahat, added Santiago.
Meanwhile, the Flag Raising Ceremony was followed by a keynote speech by Desiree Ann Benipayo, a relative of Jose Abad Santos and the author of Honor: The Legacy of Jose Abad Santos and a headdress competition participated by the members of the education sector, sectoral groups, non-government organizations, and regional government agencies, and city hall offices and attached agencies.
