President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. reaffirmed the government’s commitment to expanding services and support for Filipino veterans, as the nation honored their sacrifices during Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor) rites at the Mt. Samat National Shrine in Bataan on Thursday.
In his speech, Marcos said honoring the country’s war heroes must go beyond remembrance and translate into concrete programs that improve their welfare.
“In honoring our heroes who made all these possible, we must ensure that they receive the care and support that they deserve,” he said.
The President cited ongoing efforts to strengthen healthcare access for veterans, including plans to establish veterans hospitals in the Visayas and Mindanao, as well as the rollout of the Veterans Access to Lifetime Optimized Healthcare (VALOR) clinics.
He said over 2,630 veterans and their dependents benefited from hospitalization and medical care programs last year, while 146,896 pensioners received monthly benefits.
Marcos also highlighted education and financial support initiatives, noting that 973 scholars have received assistance, while disability pension rates were increased under Republic Act 11958.
Observed every April 9, Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor) commemorates the fall of Bataan in 1942, when Filipino and American troops fought overwhelming odds before surrendering to Japanese forces, leading to the Bataan Death March.
The President paid tribute to their courage and enduring legacy.
“We gather here today to remember those who stood firm… and to reaffirm the values that they lived and that they died for—the values of courage, of dignity and an unyielding love of country,” he said.
New Czech marker
He also cited the unveiling of a Czech marker honoring Czech nationals who fought alongside Filipinos in Bataan, underscoring global solidarity in the fight for freedom.
“Their story reminds us that the fight for freedom knows no borders… and that solidarity… is a force that binds humanity together,” Marcos said.
Geopolitics
Marcos said the lessons of Bataan remain relevant as the country faces modern challenges, including geopolitical tensions in the Middle East that continue to impact global oil prices and Filipino households.
“While we may stand far from the centers of conflict, we are not untouched by its consequences,” he said.
Compassion, unity
He emphasized that, beyond government action, nation-building requires collective effort anchored on compassion and unity.
“Sa panahon ng matinding pagsubok tulad ng nangyayari ngayon, kailangan nating balikan ang isang mahalagang katangian bilang Pilipino — ang pakikipag-kapwa,” he said. (In times of great trials like what is happening today, we must return to a core Filipino value — being compassionate).”
Marcos closed his message by honoring living veterans as “embodiments of strength” and vowed that their sacrifices would never be forgotten. (PNA)