Bautista, Belmontes lead Quezon Day rites

MANILA, Philippines - Quezon City officials yesterday led the commemoration of the 136th birth anniversary of former President Manuel Quezon, which centered on his advocacy for social justice and environment conservation.

Mayor Herbert Bautista, Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte and Speaker Feliciano Belmonte attended the wreath-laying rites at the Quezon Memorial Circle.

Quezon’s grandson Ricky Avanceña, Philippine National Police chief Director General Alan Purisima, Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino head Virgilio Almario and representatives from different national and local government agencies and non-government organizations also graced the event.

“As we commemorate President Quezon, let us promise to be more knowledgeable and strive for a deeper understanding of his views on social justice and environment conservation,” University of the Philippines Diliman chancellor Michael Tan, who delivered the keynote speech, said.

Tan said the former president had envisioned Quezon City to become a city for workers and the middle class.

He wondered how Quezon would react should he see his beloved city today.

“What would he say if he sees the urban poor in this city?” Tan said.

For his part, Bautista said city officials are striving to achieve the former president’s objectives for the city, which will mark its 75th founding anniversary this year.

“We’re doing our best to ensure that social justice is at the center of our projects,” the mayor said. “We make sure the residents are part of the city’s growth.”