DILIMAN,
QUEZON CITY – On the 114th Anniversary of the Philippine
Independence Day on June 12, 2012 and the 25th Anniversary of the
1987 Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines, simultaneous Flag-raising
and Wreath-laying Ceremonies will be done in the morning to commence the
historical commemoration. According to the National Historical Council of the
Philippines (NHCP) Dir. Maria Serena Diokno, there will be nine places where
these ceremonies will be done. Five of these- two in Manila and one each in
Bulacan, Cavite andPampanga- were part of the eight
provinces that are represented by the golden rays of the sun on the flag.
The
National Steering Committee, created through Administrative Order No. 23,to
observe, monitor, organize and evaluate national observances such as the
Independence Day, National Heroes Day and ArawngKagitingan, will be present in
different places in the country for the flag-raising and wreath-laying
ceremonies. This vital committee is spear-headed by the NHCP head Dir. Maria
Serena Diokno. Department of Tourism (DOT) Sec. Ramon R. Jimenez, Department of
Education (DepEd) Sec. Armin Luistro, Department of Local and Interior
Governance (DILG) Sec. Jesse M. Robredo and Presidential Communications
Operations Office (PCOO) Sec. Sonny Coloma are members of the National Steering
Committee.
His
Excellency President Benigno S. Aquino will lead the flag raising ceremony at
the historical Barasoain Church in Malolos City, Bulacan where General Emilio
Aguinaldo temporarily settled in and where the First Philippine Congress was
held on September 15, 1898. The President will be delivering his speech for
this day during the commemorative program that will also be held at the
Barasoain Church Historical Landmark in the morning.
Vice
President Jejomar Binay will be in charge of hoisting the flag at the popular
Rizal Monument Shrine at the Rizal Park in Manila. It is in that place where
historical execution of the Filipino national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, occurred.
The well-guarded memorial shrine of Dr. Jose Rizal is also situated in that
place.
Meanwhile
in the Aguinaldo Shrine in Kawit, Cavite, Senate President Juan Ponce Enrilewill
be present for the raising of the Philippine flag in that area where the very
important Declaration of Philippine Independence happened.
In
the place where the first battle of the Katipunan against the Spanish
colonizers occurred, Speaker Feliciano Belmonte will also be the first in
raising the Philippine Flag for that day. This will happen at the Pinaglabanan
Memorial Shrine in San Juan City where the vital “Cry of PugadLawin” took
place.
While
Speaker Belmonte and the other representatives are raising the flag in their
respective places, Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Voltaire
Gazmin will also be doing the same in the Mausoleo de los Veteranos de la
Revolucion in the Manila North Cemetery. Here lies the brave veterans of the
Philippine Revolution who fought well for Philippine Independence that
Filipinos are enjoying today.
At
the Bonifacio National Monument in Caloocan City, the hero Andres Bonifacio is
commemorated, and in that said place will also be where one of the flags will
be raised, as led by Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Leila de Lima.
Department
of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Ramon Jimenez will be in charge of the flag-raising
in the Pamintuan House in Angeles City, Pampanga. This was the place that
became the first seat of the Philippine Republic and the residence of the First
President. This was also where the first celebration of Independence Day
occurred.
Finally,
in two of the major cities in the Philippines will be where the other two flags
will be heaved. In Cebu City, Gov. Gwen Garcia will be hoisting the flag while
City Mayor Sara Duterte will do the same in Davao City.
These
simple acts are very significant in reminding the Filipino people about how
their freedom was attained and how Independence can not be achieved alone.
Sovereignty is not a one-man job, but a national concern and effort. (Betty Lou
Peñera, PIA)
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