CAPITOL NEWS

Governor Amado I. Espino, III during the 72nd Lingayen Gulf Landings anniversary and 10th Pangasinan Veterans’ day held at the Veterans’ Memorial Park in Lingayen on January 9. Governor Espino (right photo) welcomes Dr. Vivencio V. Villaflor, Jr., Dagupan Doctors Villaflor Hospital chairman and chief executive officer, who served as guest of honor and speaker  during the commemorative program. / MVSadim/MGNO

GOVERNOR Amado “Pogi” I. Espino, III vowed to provide an expanded benefits program for World War II veterans in Pangasinan to support particularly the needs of the impoverished war patriots and their immediate families.

The governor announced his commitment at the 72nd anniversary of the Lingayen Gulf Landings and 10th Pangasinan Veterans’ Day held last January 9 at the Veterans’ Memorial Park within the Capitol Complex here.

“Today, in my capacity as governor of this province, I vow to pursue a more comprehensive program to give honor to our unsung heroes, by expanding our services to the less fortunate veterans and their immediate families,” he said.

The governor said he has “directed the Provincial Population Officer, Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer, and Provincial Employment Services Officer to design a special livelihood and educational assistance program for the families of those who are in dire need of support.”

“Our World War II veterans were there when we needed them, let us be here for them in return,” he stressed.

“By providing the needed aids for the war veterans, we can assure them of keeping their legacy of bravery,” Gov. Espino said.

The provincial chief executive, however, noted the dwindling number of living war veterans—from around 15,000 during World War II to only 370 as of January 2017.

In his speech, Gov. Espino recalled that it was during the time of former governor and now Fifth District Congressman Amado T. Espino, Jr. that the Pangasinan Veterans Day  was instituted as an annual event to coincide with the Lingayen Gulf Landings Anniversary.

Being a former soldier hiimself, Cong.Espino then started giving premium attention to the war veterans and their families as well.

Since 2008, the veterans and theirs sons and daughters avail of the  free medical and dental services and medicines with cash gifts and other tokens as well as free transport service during staging of the veterans’ day.

Surviving World War II (WW-II) veterans and their families avail of free medical services which include check-up and consultation, medicines and vitamins right after the 72nd Lingayen Gulf Landings anniversary and 10th Pangasinan Veterans’ day. /Photo by BSison/MGNO

The veterans have also become recipients of the provincial government’s  free health care services from the 14 government-owned hospitals.

A major milestone made by the provincial government was the construction of the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office building within the Capitol Complex in 2015.

“Certainly, they deserve all these. However, we feel that these are not enough to reciprocate their sacrifice for our country. They deserve more,” asserted Gov. Espi5no.

Prior to the governor’s speech, Vice Gov. Jose Ferdinand Calimlim, Jr. welcomed the crowd to the commemoration. Dr. Vivencio Villaflor, Jr, a son of a veteran, was the guest of honor and speaker of the event.

Joining Gov. Espino in the wreath laying ceremony were Dr. Villaflor, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Veterans Affairs Management Division chief Gen. Alfredo Cayton, Philippine Veterans Federation president Bonifacio De Gracia and Australian Embassy (AE) Counselor Kerry Anderson.

Also in attendance were Second District Congressman Leopoldo Bataoil, Provincial First Lady Karina Espino, AFP 702nd Battalion Commander Col. Meligrito, Philippine National Police (PNP) Regional Director Chief Supt. Gregorio Pimentel, PNP Provincial Dir. Ronald Lee, AE Administrative Assistant Craig Cutts and Reserve Services League of Australia member Peter Renton.

Provincial board members and other officials of national government agencies also attended the event.

After the commemoration ceremonies, the war veterans were treated to a medical mission and a special luncheon. They also received cash incentives from the provincial government. /RMCL

Governor Amado I. Espino, III (7th from left) leads the presentation of award to Dr. Vivencio V. Villaflor, chairman and executive officer of the Dagupan Doctors Villaflor Hospital, who served as guest of honor and speaker during the 72nd Lingayen Gulf Landings anniversary and 10th Pangasinan Veterans’ day held at the Veterans’ Memorial Park in Lingayen on January 9. Witnessing the presentation of award were Congressman Leopoldo N. Bataoil (7th from right), Vice Governor Jose Ferdinand Z. Calimlim, Jr. (6th from left), and Provincial Board Members (from left to right) Salvador Perez, Jr., Noel Bince, Antonio Sison, Jeremy Agerico Rosario, Raul Sison, Liberato Villegas, Angel Baniqued, Jr. Jeanne Jinky Zaplan, Rosary Chinky Perez, Nestor Reyes and Generoso Tulagan, Jr. /Photo by JPOrdonez/MGNO

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