In a memorandum, DILG Secretary Jose Lina Jr. said commemorating the death anniversary of Ninoy is to inculcate among our people the values of self-sacrifice and patriotism that his life and death have exemplified.

Earlier, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo issued Proclamation 420 to recognize the efforts and sacrifices of the late Senator Aquino after 20 years following his assassination and 17 years following the restoration of a representative democracy in the country.

In his directive, Lina urged all local chief executives to conduct the following activities in support for the commemoration:

— Display of yellow ribbons in public places.

— Hold special commemorative prayers and honors at flag ceremonies.

— Hold programs on the significance of Ninoy’s death in the return of freedom to the country.

— Read “The Filipino Is Worth Dying For” letter of Ninoy.

— Sing “Bayan Ko.”

— Hold wreath-laying ceremonies at the local Ninoy Aquino shrine or statue, if any.

Lina also directed the DILG regional directors and field officials to widely disseminate the memorandum so as to give local government units the opportunity to observe this significant day.

August 21 is a working holiday but Malacañang issued an earlier proclamation making Aug. 22 a non-working holiday.

Schools

The Department of Education (DepEd) has encouraged all elementary and secondary schools across the country to fly the national flag at half mast and hold special prayers this week to mark the 20th death anniversary of Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. with a series of school activities aimed at raising awareness among today’s students of his martyrdom, which led to the restoration of freedom and democracy in the country.

Under Memorandum Order No. 275 issued by DepEd Undersecretary Ramon Bacani, public and private schools are also encouraged to hold classroom discussions on the significance of Ninoy’s death; sing “Bayan Ko” in class, sponsor essay and poem writing contests about Ninoy, feature film showings and library services of Ninoy Aquino readings and materials, and hang streamers commemorating his death anniversary.

Sen. Teresa Aquino Oreta and Rep. Agapito “Butz” Aquino welcomed the DepEd’s memorandum that was issued last Aug. 8.

The memo, issued to DepEd regional directors, district supervisors and heads of public and private elementary and secondary schools underscored the importance of holding these activities to help the youth become aware of Ninoy’s life and martyrdom and make the commemoration of Ninoy’s death this year more meaningful.

“The celebration aims to a) inculcate the values of self-sacrifice and patriotism that (Ninoy’s) life and death exemplified; b) enable people to appreciate the gifts of democracy and freedom that Ninoy died for; c) recall for the present generation of schoolchildren how the assassination inspired Filipinos of his time to seek justice for Ninoy and the other victims of the authoritarian regime,” the DepEd memo stated.

Pimentel

As the country commemorates the 20th anniversary of the martyrdom of the late Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino, Jr., a legislative proposal has been filed with the Senate seeking to declare him a national hero.

In a Senate bill, Senator Aquilino “Nene” Q. Pimentel, Jr. (PDP-Laban) proposed that the heroism of Aquino be officially acknowledged so that his patriotic ideals and selflessness be forever etched in the veins of the Filipino nation.

“Twenty years after his assassination at the tarmac of the Manila International Airport, the famous words of former Senator Benigno Aquino, Jr. – “The Filipino is Worth Dying For” – still clearly reverberates along the halls of our history. His death opened avenues for rebuilding the bridges of democracy that awakened the minds and hearts of the Filipino nation,” Pimentel said.

Alvarez

Congress can best honor Ninoy’s martyrdom by passing legislation that would compensate the more than 10,000 human rights victims of Martial Law.

Former senator and environment secretary Heherson T. Alvarez, a colleague of Ninoy in the overseas movement against Martial rule, said the memory of Ninoy, whom he referred to as the most prominent martial law victim, as well as the sacrifices of the thousands of other victims, would be best remembered by the nation if Congress does its job with dispatch.

“Congress must work overtime to pass a bill that will set aside a substantial portion of the $683-million ill-gotten wealth of the Marcoses to legally settle the claims of the victims without violating the country’s domestic laws. This is the least we could do for the human rights victims and for Ninoy and the legacy he left behind,” he stressed.