CAMP ABAT IN MANAOAG IS PROPOSED SITE

A bill seeking to establish a national heroes’ cemetery in Northern Luzon has been filed in the House of Representatives to give due recognition to the country’s heroes and patriots from the region.

ABONO Partylist Rep. Robert Estrella authored House Bill No. 5310, also known as the “Libingan ng mga Bayani sa Norte Act,” which proposes the creation of a national cemetery for heroes at Camp Lt. Tito Abat in Manaoag.

The proposed site aims to serve as a final resting place for Filipinos from Northern Luzon who have rendered exceptional service and sacrifice for the nation. Estrella said the measure seeks to allow families and communities in the north to honor their memory without the need to travel to Taguig City, where the national Libingan ng mga Bayani is located.

House Bill No. 5310 has passed First Reading and been referred to the appropriate House committees for further deliberation.

The country’s original Libingan ng mga Bayani was established under Republic Act No. 289, signed by President Elpidio Quirino on June 16, 1948, providing for the construction of a national pantheon for presidents, heroes, and patriots. In 1954, President Ramon Magsaysay renamed it to what is now known as the Libingan ng mga Bayani.

Located at Fort Bonifacio in Taguig City, the cemetery currently houses around 50,000 remains of Filipino soldiers, veterans, presidents, statesmen, government dignitaries, national artists, and scientists.

Estrella said establishing an annex in Pangasinan would not only address the need for more burial spaces for national heroes in the coming years but also serve as a lasting tribute to the bravery and cultural heritage of Northern Luzon’s patriots. (Eva Visperas)