GMA to lead Rizal Day rites in Vigan

MANILA, Philippines - President Arroyo will lead the nation today in commemorating the 113th anniversary of the martyrdom of Dr. Jose Rizal in Vigan City, Ilocos Sur.

Mrs. Arroyo would preside over the ceremony at the Plaza Salcedo in Vigan at 7 a.m. where she would lead the simultaneous flag raising ceremonies nationwide for this year’s theme, “Kabayanihan ni Rizal: Daluyan ng Kagitingan at Pagkakaisa” in honor of the country’s national hero.

After ceremony, Mrs. Arroyo will make an inaugural drive through the newly completed Quirino Bridge in Banaoang, Bantay in the province.

The Quirino Bridge, one of 17 bridges constructed under the administration’s Bridge Program in the Ilocos region, is 456 meters long with total project cost of P625,614,182.56.

The President will then proceed to Sudipen, La Union, to unveil the marker for the 535-meter Amburayan Bridge, which will connect the town to Tagudin, Ilocos Sur.

Last year, Mrs. Arroyo led the Rizal Day rites in San Fernando, La Union. Previous Rizal Day celebrations with the President were held in Mindanao and Baguio City.

Sen. Manuel Villar Jr., for his part, said the commemoration of Rizal Day should also focus on the struggle of the country’s heroes against oppression.

He said Rizal became the inspiration of other heroes to continue the struggle against oppressors to gain the nation’s freedom.

According to Villar, Rizal should remain as the youth’s inspiration and role model, particularly those wallowing in poverty, in bettering their lives and reaching for their dreams.

Villar said it is disheartening that the very same problems and challenges that confronted Filipinos during the time of Rizal still hound Filipinos today.

Villar said he would lead the NP to continue to fight for the cause of the poor, oppressed, and the youth through the party’s platform and advocacies. – With Christina Mendez, Teodoro Molina