PILAR, BATAAN — The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) joined the nation today in marking the 83rd Araw ng Kagitingan at the Mt. Samat National Shrine, where the valor of World War II heroes was solemnly remembered.

Representing the Department were Assistant Secretaries Ester Aldana, CESO II and Josephine Cabrido-Leysa, CESO III, along with Central Luzon Regional Director Atty. Anthony Nuyda, CESO III, Bataan Provincial Director Belina Herman, CESO V, Cluster Team Leader Cristy Blanco, OIC-Program Manager Mark Angelo Pumares, and other central and provincial office personnel.

Carrying the theme “Kabayanihan ng Beterano: Sandigan ng Kaunlaran ng Bagong Pilipinas,” the ceremony was led by President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. (PBBM), who called on Filipinos to uphold the legacy of courage and patriotism by embracing everyday acts of service and nation-building. He reminded the public that heroism is not limited to moments of war but is just as powerful when shown in honesty, unity, and perseverance.

Wreath-laying rites, a 21-gun salute, and the symbolic showering of flower petals from helicopters honored the fallen, while the presence of surviving veterans served as a poignant reminder of sacrifice. Mr. Robert Ewing, Deputy Chief of Mission of the Embassy of the United States, and H.E. Endo Kazuya, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan, stood alongside Philippine officials in paying tribute to the defenders of Bataan, whose courage helped shape the nation’s history.

Governor Jose Enrique Garcia III emphasized Bataan’s continued commitment to preserving the legacy of its heroes. For DILG, moreover, the event reaffirmed its mission to serve with integrity and courage, inspired by the same spirit that once defended the country on the slopes of Mount Samat.