GMA declares June 14 a holiday

MANILA, Philippines - President Arroyo has declared Monday, June 14 a holiday in celebration of the 112th Philippine Independence Day on June 12, a Saturday.

In declaring June 14 a holiday, Mrs. Arroyo invoked Proclamation 1841which she issued in July 2009 to implement a law authorizing the moving of holidays to the nearest Monday.

Under the law, the President is required to issue a proclamation listing the moved holidays and the specific dates declared as non-working days at least six months before the holidays.

For this year’s Independence Day celebration, the National Historical Commission (NHC) has lined up a series of activities including a parade highlighting the accomplishments of the Arroyo administration.

Ludovico Badoy, NHC executive director, said they are looking at providing commuters free rides on the MRT and LRT trains on June 12.

Cultural shows and mini job fairs will also be held at Rizal Park in Manila, he added

A grand fireworks display will follow the Independence Day parade at around 6 p.m., Badoy said.

Mrs. Arroyo will lead the military in celebrating Independence Day at Rizal Park.

The celebration will start with simultaneous wreath-laying ceremonies at the monument of Dr. Jose Rizal at Rizal Park in Manila; at the shrine of President Emilio Aguinaldo in Kawit, Cavite; and at the Mauseleo de los Veteranos de la Revolucion at the Manila North Cemetery.

Armed Forces spokesman Lt. Col. Arnulfo Marcelo Burgos said the military will participate in various activities organized by the NHC.

“The AFP pays tribute to our gallant forebears who fought for our country’s freedom from foreign oppression,” he said.

“We are continuing the pledge of our ancestors as protectors of the state and the sovereignty of the Filipino people.”

Burgos said Mrs. Arroyo will lead the wreath-laying ceremony at the Rizal Monument and civic-military parade at Rizal Park.

The Armed Forces will showcase military equipment, ammunition, firearms, armored vehicles and other military paraphernalia at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila, he added.

The military will also hold a skydiving exhibition and kinetic presentation, a drum and bugle exhibition by the Philippine Marine Corps, and a silent drill exhibition by cadets from the Philippine Military Academy, Burgos said.