CAPAS, TARLAC – Grade 11 students from all public and private schools in Capas will participate in a 7-km walk on March 17 to commemorate the 1942 Death March.
They will be joined by 300 participants including teachers, parents, government employees and volunteers.
The walk also aims to show the youth’s patriotism and reverence for the bravery of 60,000 to 80,000 Filipino and American soldiers during the Death March.
Article II, Section 13 of the 1987 Constitution says, “the State recognizes the vital role of the youth in nation-building and shall promote and protect their physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual, and social well-being. It shall inculcate in the youth patriotism and nationalism, and encourage their involvement in public and civic affairs.
In his Executive Order No. 08, Series of 2017, Capas Mayor Reynaldo L. Catacutan have ordered all grade 11 students from public and private schools to march from the Death March Marker in Barangay Sto. Domingo II to the Capas National Shrine before they graduate.
“Under the mandate of the Philippine Constitution, we in the local government unit should aim to instill patriotism and nationalism among Capaseño youth. Despite the fact that technology has taken over the minds of many, students, as youth, should learn to involve themselves in advocacies, cultural events, and public and civic affairs as these activities will build their strong character and identities,” Catacutan said.
According to the local chief executive, Capas is not only a home to the gigantic 100-foot shrine obelisk, but a municipality where hallmarks of nationalism and bravery lie.
“Capas is a melting pot, it is an amalgam of different cultures but its history remains the same in the heart of the locals and we want to keep it that way even among the youth and the next generation of Capaseños,” Catacutan added.
Issued earlier in his previous 9-year term as an undefeated mayor, the E.O was recently modified and signed for immediate effectivity last February 9, 2017 in relation to the changes in the education system and in respect to the K-12 Education Program.
Meanwhile, the LGU invites all for the healthy walk re-visiting history and the beauty of Capas on the said date from Km. 106, Death March Marker of Brgy. Sto. Domingo II, Capas Tarlac.
For inquiries, please call (045) 925-0408 local 203 and look for Mdm. Lucille Espirie Baun, Executive Assisntant for Education at the Executive Assistants’ Office or send your e-mails on their facebook and google account [email protected].