Marcos honors war veterans, vows continued support for them

President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. on Thursday recognized the heroes of World War II, noting that their sacrifices serve as a reminder of the country's enduring spirit of resilience and unity amid challenging times. 

Marcos graced the observance of the 84th Anniversary of the Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor) in Pilar, Bataan as he also ensured the welfare of war veterans. 

“We gather here today to remember those who stood firm in the face of overwhelming adversity, as well as to reaffirm the values that they lived and that they died for—the values of courage, of dignity, and an unyielding love of country,'' Marcos said in his speech. 

“The heroes of Bataan gave their all so that we, and the generations that follow, may inherit a nation that is free, sovereign, and worthy of their sacrifice. Their story reminds us that the fight for freedom knows no borders—and that solidarity, even in the darkest of times, is a force that binds humanity together,” he added.

The President also emphasized that just as the Filipino spirit did not break when war heroes’ defenses fell, the nation continues to embody the same resilience as resistance continued across the country through guerrilla warfare.

Story of Bataan

“This is the essence of our strength as a people—not merely the ability to fight, but the will to endure; not only to survive hardship, but to rise above it with dignity intact. The story of Bataan is a cornerstone of our national identity and a guiding light for the generations that follow,” Marcos said.

He then reaffirmed the government's support for veterans by ensuring they receive the best care they deserve.

Among the government initiatives cited are the close coordination with the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office to establish veterans hospitals in Visayas and Mindanao as well as the separation benefits for soldiers who suffer total permanent disability in the line of duty that are commensurate with their sacrifices.

''We provide available and efficient healthcare services for our veterans, we established the Veterans Access to Lifetime Optimized Healthcare, or VALOR Clinic. We have continuously implemented several programs,'' Marcos said.

Last year, over 2,630 veterans and their dependents benefited from services under the Veterans Hospitalization and Medical Care Program, according to the President. —VAL, GMA News