CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga — In line with the 124th Philippine Independence Day Celebration, Vice Governor Lilia “Nanay” Pineda commended the medical and non-medical frontliners during the simultaneous conduct of flag-raising and wreath-laying ceremonies at the Capitol Grounds on Sunday, June 12.
The vice governor said that the frontliners really deserve recognition for risking their lives to serve and protect the people, especially during the height of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
“Talagang saludo ako sa ‘ting mga frontliner, sa ‘ting mga kababayan na nagkusang tumulong sa mga nagka-COVID-19. Noon nga, napag-usapan namin ng Sangguniang Panlalawigan na talagang gagawin namin silang bayani, dahil talagang ipinakita nila na kahit alam nilang nasa peligro ang buhay nila, nando’n pa rin sila at handang tumulong,” she said.
“Sa mga oras ng kagipitan talaga natin makikita na hindi nabigo ang ating mga bayani. Siguradong masaya sila, dahil likas sa mga Filipino ang pagiging mapagmahal at matulungin, at pinangangalagaan ng mga ito ang kalayaang kanilang ipinaglaban,” she added.
Vice Governor Nanay also expressed hope that future generations will emulate the heroism of the frontliners.
In a statement released by Governor Dennis “Delta” Pineda, he said that the celebration was aimed at reminding the people, particularly Kapampangans, about the transcendental importance of unity in nation-building.
“Sana po ay panghawakan natin ang mga aral na ating nakuha mula sa nakaraan, nawa’y magsilbi po ang mga ito bilang kalakasan natin tungo sa magandang bukas. May we all, as a nation, continue to behold the hard-fought independence of the country through being good citizens who are one and united in a society that is compassionate, law-abiding and God-fearing,” said the governor.
Emilio Aguinado, the first and former president of the Philippines, proclaimed the independence of the country from the Spanish colonial rule in Kawit, Cavite on June 12, 1898.
In the same year, the Spain ceded the Philippines to the United States (US) after the latter won the Spanish-American War. After forty-eight years of colonization, the US formally recognized the independence of the Philippines on July 4, 1946.
Thereafter, the country celebrated Independence Day on July 4 until 1962.
Later, former President Diosdado Macapagal, through Proclamation No. 28, declared June 12, 1962 as ‘a special public holiday throughout the Philippines in commemoration of the declaration of the people’s inherent and inalienable right to freedom and independence.’
In 1964, the Congress passed Republic Act No. 4166, changing the date of Independence Day from July 4 to June 12, and declaring July 4 as Philippine Republic Day.
Independence Day, also known as Araw ng Kasarinlán or Araw ng Kalayaan, is a regular holiday under Proclamation No. 1236.
