President Benigno S. Aquino III, unveils the street markers of the President Corazon C. Aquino and Senator Benigno S. Aquino, Jr. Avenues in Barangay Ungka, Pavia, Iloilo on Thursday (June 11) during his visit to the Province of Iloilo. In photo are Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson, Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas II, Senate President Franklin Drilon, Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor, Sr., Iloilo Vice Governor Raul Tupas Pavia, Iloilo Mayor Michael Gorriceta, Iloilo 1st District Representative Oscar Garin, Jr., 2nd District Representative Arcadio Gorriceta, 3rd District Representative Arthur Defensor, Jr., and 5th District Representative Niel Tupas, Jr. (MNS photo)
ILOILO CITY, June 12 (Mabuhay) — President Benigno S. Aquino III on Friday underscored the importance of solidarity as he led the celebration of the country’s 117th Independence Day in the town of Santa Barbara in Iloilo province.
The President said that because of the united effort of our forefathers, the Philippines gained freedom after 300 years under Spanish rule.
The Chief Executive also said unity gives power to the people to fight corruption and poverty.
“Isandaan at labimpitong taon na ang nakalipas mula nang ideklara ang kalayaan; kalag na po tayo ngayon sa tanikala ng mga dayuhang mananakop. Sa kabila nito, nariyan naman ang panibagong hamon na labanan ang katiwalian at kahirapan sa bansa.
Malinaw po na sa pagbibigkis, nananaig ang ating mga bayani sa pagkamit ng kalayaan, kaya’t sa pagbibigkis din malalampasan ang suliraning ating hinaharap sa kasalukuyan,” he said in his speech in front of the town’s Municipal Hall.
President Aquino also reminded the people of the importance of following the “straight path.”
“Tiwala po ako na basta’t nananatili tayong tumatahak sa Daang Matuwid, maipagpapatuloy natin ang pagbabagong ating tinatamasa sa kasalukuyan. Sa pag-usbong ng makabagong teknolohiya at sa panahon ng social media, may higit na tayong kakayahan, at mas malalim na responsibilidad na makiisa sa paghahanap ng solusyon sa ating mga problema,” he said.
He called on the people to remain steadfast and unified in advancing the welfare of their fellowmen.
“Sa halip na maging pabigat sa ating kapwa, nawa’y gawin natin ang lahat, iambag natin ang ating maiaambag sa abot ng ating makakaya, upang sama-sama nating maiangat ang atin pong minamahal na bansa,” he further said.
The Independence Day program began at 8 a.m. with a flag-raising ceremony, followed by a wreath-laying ceremony at the General Martin Delgado Monument at the Municipal Plaza, where the provincial government of Visayas was inaugurated on November 17, 1898.
After the wreath-laying ceremony, the President visited the historic Santa Barbara Church.
The church visit ended the program in Santa Barbara, as the President headed for the city center for the Vin D’Honneur ceremony, held at the newly renovated Provincial Capitol along Bonifacio Drive.
At the Provincial Capitol lobby, President Aquino and Foreign Affairs Acting Secretary Laura del Rosario received senior government officials, among them Senate President Franklin Drilon, House of Representatives Speaker Feliciano Belmonte, Jr., Diplomatic Corps Dean Archbishop Guiseppe Pinto, heads of diplomatic missions and of international organizations.
In his message during the Vin d’Honneur, President Aquino thanked the international community for their assistance especially during disasters.
“My country has indeed achieved so much, yet we did not do this all on our own. We reached our goals sooner because of the international community, who recognized our earnest efforts and saw an honest government and a people truly worth helping. This, in turn, breeds in us a debt of gratitude—what we call utang na loob—shown in our determination to do our share to address the world’s problems,” said the President. (MNS)