Veterans honored; stipend doubled

PATRIOTS. Wreath is laid on the Unknown Soldier while city officials, together with the uniformed men honor the city’s surviving veterans and their families. CEPPIO

NAGA CITY --- The city’s twelve surviving war veterans will be receiving effective next year double their stipend being given by the city government for their bravery and patriotism in defending the country from foreign invaders, especially during World War II and the Korean War Campaign.

This was announced by City Mayor John G. Bongat during the simple yet meaningful celebration of the 77th Araw ng Kagitingan, or National Day of Valor, honoring the veterans on April 9 in this city and throughout the country.

Bongat said the members of the Sangguniang Panglunsod, led by Vice Mayor Nelson Legacion who were present at the ceremonies unanimously approved the proposal.

War veterans in the city used to receive a token stipend of P5,000 which will now be increased to P10,000 effective April next year.

Bongat said it is a token amount compared to the lives and sacrifices the veterans laid down for our country and for our democratic principles and future generations of Filipinos to survive and sustain.

Vice Mayor Nelson Legacion in his brief message said the present and future generation can never pay back the “utang na boot” they owe our veterans who had given their lives so that we may live peacefully and under the mantle of freedom and liberty. “But we can do our part by playing heroes in our daily lives through service to others and to our country,” he said.

The event, a national holiday, was marked with flag raising and wreath-laying at the Monument of the Unknown Soldier inside the city hall grounds and a brief program followed at the People’s Hall.