"Heroes today no longer wield big bolos and ride on horses. They are the street sweepers, the beat policemen, the clerks and the other people who make daily sacrifices so that we can have a clean and orderly community," Belmonte told barangay officials, city hall employees and members of civic organizations who attended the 105th Philippine Independence Day celebration in Quezon City.
The role of the "small people" was highlighted during a two-hour parade participated in by 10,00 public servants — from city officials to the barangay tanods.
Chanting "mabuhay" and waving Philippine flags, the participants carried the banners of their respective offices and barangays while passing the stage at Quezon City Hall, where city officials led by Belmonte and Vice Mayor Herbert Bautista constantly waved back to participants.
Joining the parade were the city’s brand new patrol cars, motorcycles, firetrucks, ambulances, dump trucks and heavy equipment, sporting the "Serbisyong Bayan" slogan of the city government.
The various vehicles and equipment had been among those turned over by the city government to the police, barangays and other sectors of the community.
Traffic which was re-routed yesterday to accommodate thousands of residents from the city’s 142 barangays. Roads were re-opened two hours later.
For the first time, Quezon City celebrated its own Independence Day rites.
Belmonte said the parade, which was participated in by people from all walks of life, including the scavengers in the Payatas dumpsite and the Muslim community, showed that in Quezon City everyone plays a vital role in nation building.
"In Quezon City there is a strong force of citizens, nandito ang mahihirap pero sila ’yung ambisyoso," Belmonte said.
The poor, which he said came all the way from far-flung provinces, selected Quezon City as their new home with a vision of finding a decent life in the city.
He said these settlers must be treated like any other resident since they form part of the 2.4-million of the city’s population.
The mayor assured residents that as a temporary steward he will ensure the delivery of basic services and giving back to the people the money they pay in the form of taxes.
He called on everyone to make small sacrifices just like what the little heroes of the city do daily.
"There is no need to shed blood to become heroes. What we need today are little heroes who are willing to perform and make sacrifice so that Quezon City can become a quality community," Belmonte said.