ANGELES CITY – Senator Loren Legarda called on all Filipinos to embody the true essence of freedom, not just as a historical milestone, but as a daily commitment to promote justice, inclusion, and national dignity.
In her speech during the 127th Independence Day celebration held at the Museum of Philippine Social History (MPSH) in Angeles City, the senator cited that independence remains a continuing struggle towards a just and secure future.
“It has been 127 years since our flag was first hoisted and our independence declared. But to this day, we continue to uphold and fight for it—for every Filipino family, every community, and every aspiration,” she said.
Legarda stressed that environmental protection is deeply connected with our fight for freedom, especially since the Philippines is highly vulnerable to disasters and climate-related threats.
“Every storm, every flood, is a reminder that protecting the environment is part of our commitment to freedom. True independence means knowing that our homes, livelihoods, and futures are protected no matter what storms may come,” she said.
With this, the senator mentioned several laws that she championed to protect the environment including the Ecological Solid Waste Management Law, Climate Change Act, Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act, and Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act.
She also emphasized the importance of education in nation-building, citing that the low functional literacy of Filipino youth, particularly if reading, writing, and comprehension based on international assessments pose a challenge.
With this, the senator cited that through the Early Childhood Care and Development System, the government ensures that every Filipino child receives the right care, nutrition, and education during their formative years, when their minds, values, and potentials are being shaped.
“We also pushed for the passage of the career progression and development system for public school teachers to provide a pathway for our educators’ professional growth because we believe that quality education is not just a right, but one of the foundations of freedom,” Legarda noted.
The senator also stressed the value of promoting culture and history, citing that in her fourth term as a legislator, she pushed for the passage of the National Cultural Heritage Act and Cultural Mapping Law.
She also reaffirmed her commitment to inclusive development, particularly for the marginalized sector.
“Our women, indigenous peoples, farmer, fisherfolk, senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and informal sector workers are partners in nation-building, and must never be left behind because real progress leaves no one behind,” she stressed.
Legarda reminded the public that being a Filipino is both a privilege and responsibility, urging them to not just celebrate Independence Day, but to live and embody the true essence of the occasion.
The Pamintuan Mansion was the site of the first and only public Independence Day celebration under the administration of former President Emilio Aguinaldo on June 12, 1899 and served as a former branch of Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.
In 2015, the Mansion reopened as the MPSH, offering a panorama of past and present life and culture of ordinary Filipinos.
The museum has nine galleries focusing on the history of the mansion from its construction in 1890; various Philippine textiles, accessories, and weaving tools; and Filipino clothing styles.
This year’s Independence Day celebration carries the theme “Kalayaan, Kinabukasan, Kasaysayan (Freedom, future, history)”. (CLJD/MJSC, PIA Region 3-Pampanga)