May 3 declared 'Davao City Liberation Day'

Source: MindaNews

DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 04 June) - The City Council here approved Tuesday, June 4, an ordinance commemorating every May 3 as "Davao City Liberation Day," which is considered a working holiday.

Councilor Pilar Braga, proponent of the Davao City Liberation Day ordinance, said the measure seeks to instill significance among Dabawenyos about the liberation of the locality from the Japanese occupation on May 3, 1945.

The ordinance mandated the city government to create an annual commemorative program regarding the working holiday, together with the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police, Veterans Federation of the Philippines, Davao Historical Society, the sons and daughters of veterans, and other business and socio-civic organizations.

To commemorate the occasion, the military will conduct a ceremonial firing and wreath laying at the "Tomb of the Unknown Soldier."

The tomb is marked by a white cross covered by Japanese bamboo located in Madapo Hills here, maintained by the Association of Descendants of American and Filipino Veterans and Masons.

Government institutions will also display Philippine flags in every government institution during the commemoration.

"[The ordinance's objective is] to inculcate in the minds of the citizens, particularly the youth, a renewed consciousness of the eternal value of patriotism, freedom, peace and love of country, exemplified by the veterans who fought and died for the cause of freedom in Davao," Braga said.

Braga added the working holiday is pursuant to Proclamation Order No. 653, Series of 1993 signed by Former President Fidel V. Ramos, entitled "Directing the Local Government Units Concerned to Commemorate Annually the Anniversaries of Significant Events Related to the Liberation of the Philippines During World War II."

Before this ordinance, Davao city's war veterans were given honors during the Araw ng Kagitingan celebration held every April 9 at the Veteran's Memorial Monument in C. Bangoy Street here. (Ian Carl Espinosa/MindaNews)