GMA News Online News » Nation

Malacaňang bares Edsa-1 plans

February 16, 2006 12:38pm
Malacañang bared on Thursday the activities to commemorate the 20th anniversary of 1986 Edsa People Power revolution including a possible meeting between President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and her erstwhile ally former president Corazon Aquino.

Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, who was a key player of Edsa 1, also bared the names of the 17 members of the Edsa People Power Commission (EPPC), which the President revived last week.

"So it's not true that we don't have activities or we have downgraded it. Maybe what is no longer there is the hoopla, the famous 'salubungan' and the all-night revelry along Edsa where there are entertainers," Ermita said.

"It's not just revelry but the real meaning of Edsa especially to our youth and to the entire citizenry," he said of the new activities.

Feb. 22 will be the "Day for Soldiers and Police," he said. On that day, the valiant officers and soldiers of the military and police will be honored, with former president Fidel Ramos leading the wreath-laying ceremony at the Libingan ng Mga Bayani.

On the same day, the President will cut the ribbon marking the formal opening of the Edsa '86 Freedom Trail at the gate of Camp Crame. The freedom trail will feature large tarpauline pictures taken during Edsa 1 at the areas where the memorable events happened.

In the afternoon, Mrs. Arroyo will fly to Cebu City to visit the jobs fair being held in that southern metropolis as part of her 10-point agenda to create 10 million jobs by 2010.

February 23 will be devoted to the youth with the National Youth Commission (NYC) in charge of various activities for the country's youth. Among the NYC activities on February 23 is the Edsa 1 Forum.

At 5:30 a.m. on the same day, the President will inaugurate the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) housing project for Filipino soldiers

The following day, she will attend the Eucharistic celebration at the Lady of Our Peace Parish at the Edsa Shrine where Ermita said she might meet Mrs. Aquino.

On February 25, there will be a flag raising ceremony at the People Power Monument at 7 a.m. This activity will feature an ecumenical prayer and the giving of a posthumous award to Cardinal Jaime Sin and the new heroes of Edsa.

The new Edsa 1 heroes include the SEAGames gold medallists, top Filipino boxers, an overseas Filipino worker,Gawad Kalinga, Pondo ng Pinoy and Models of Good Citizenship.

A Mass will also be held at the Edsa Shrine at 10 a.m. and a Gawad Kalinga show to be followed by street dancing and fireworks display.

Also on February 25, the President will dedicate a 1,600-hectare property in Camp Tecson, San Miguel, Bulacan to the housing program for soldiers called a "Tribute to the Filipino Soldier."

He said he would also request the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) to ask all the churches in the country to ring their bells at 7 a.m. on February 25 as part of the commemoration of the special day.

Ermita chairs the EPPC with businessman Enrique Razon as co-chairman.

The new EPPC commissioners are Angelina Barrera, former press undersecretary Honesto Isleta, George Sarmiento, Lito Monico Lorenzana, Inquirer columnist Belinda Cunanan, presidential anti-graft commissioner Teresita Baltazar, Rolando Dizon, Luz Emmanuel Soriano, morning show host and youth leader Paolo Benigno Aquino IV, Philippine Star columnist Carmen Pedrosa, and Blesilda Ocampo Buencamino.

The incumbent EPPC commissioners are Gavino Mapanoo, PhilStar columnist Alex Magno, Regina David and Ric Samaniego. The EPPC adviso and coordinator is commissioner Christopher Carrion.-GMANEWS.TV



advertisement

Talk of the web

advertisement
advertisement