TACLOBAN CITY (CIO) – Nineteen surviving World War II Veterans of this City were honored by the City Government on Thursday, October 19 at the Price Mansion, as part of the Veterans Day Celebration commemorating the 73^rd Leyte Landing Anniversary.

Honored during the Veterans Day Ceremony were  Xerxes Abadiano, Jose Acedillo, Pilar Alvero, Paulita Asis, Eduardo Bermudo, Pablito Candela, Aquilia Closa, Marcelo Gatela, Felicidad Lagarde, Teresa Malpas, Segundo Matias, Ramon Modina, Margarito Olguera, Epistemia Rama, Maxima Satorre, Rufino Sumayod, Remegia Tomol, Paciencia Tripoli and Felicidad Varona.

The tribute which highlighted a Commemorative Dinner at the Price Mansion were led by City Officials headed by Administrator Atty. Irene Chiu, who represented Mayor Cristina G. Romualdez, and representatives of Leyte 1^st District Congresswoman Yedda K. Romualdez, together with  Undersecretary  and Presidential Adviser on Military Affairs  Arthur Tabaquero, Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO) Veterans Affairs Management Division Chief Maj. Gen. Alfredo Cayton,  Armed Forces of the Philippines Major Gen. Raul Farnacio of the 8^th Infantry Division and US  Naval Attache Commander Brian Clark.

Undersecretary Tabaquero read a message from President Rodrigo R. Duterte which underscored the gallantry of War Veterans and emphasized on the significance of the Veterans Day Commemoration, “… it is not a hallow ceremony it is an annual commemoration of our quest for freedom and love of country,” said the President.

The message also read, “More than ever we are reminded for our love of country and cause of freedom..we need to reflect on what we can do four country to ensure its stability…”

Per City Ordinance No. 2007-9-65, October 19 in Tacloban is known as the World War II Veterans Day to honor the the gallantry of war veterans who fought during the second World War.

Price Mansion served as the seat of the Provisional Philippine Government established after the liberation from Japanese Occupation in 1944, and temporary residence of the Commander of the Allied Forces. of Gen. Douglas MacArthur.

The surviving war veterans each received a financial assistance amounting to 5,000 pesos and a basket of grocery goods from the local government.  –   Henry James G. Roca