DAGUPAN CITY – Twenty-five World War II living veterans from Pangasinan were honored by the provincial government of Pangasinan, in partnership with the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO), on Jan. 9 at the Capitol Beach Park in Lingayen.
This celebration marked the 18th Pangasinan Veterans Day and coincided with the 80th anniversary of the Lingayen Gulf Landings—a significant event when Allied forces, led by General Douglas MacArthur, landed on the shores of Lingayen Gulf, marking the first bold steps in the campaign to liberate the island of Luzon from the invaders during World War II.
Department of National Defense (DND) Undersecretary Pablo Lorenzo graced the event, emphasizing that the occasion not only honored the veterans’ courageous service to the country but also served as a call to action for the community to continue striving for peace, unity, and progress.
“This is not only a reflection on the past but also a reaffirmation of our commitment as a nation to forge the future for which our veterans fought. Let their example inspire us to confront today’s challenges — challenges that demand the same unwavering determination, discipline, love for our country, and unity,” Lorenzo urged.
This ceremony, conducted with a wreath-laying and a 21-gun salute, preserves the veterans’ legacy and inspires future generations to uphold courage, patriotism, and unity.
Ten of them attended in person, including 108-year-old Mr. Valentin Untalan from Calasiao, the oldest veteran among them.
A testimony of courage and dedication
The presence of Untalan is a testament to the resilience and dedication of war veterans.
“I was always in the infantry, and although I was a private first class, I was assigned to command a platoon. During the war, things changed. I became a platoon leader, an officer, and I was able to reach the rank of major,” Untalan shared.
“Sometimes, you stay in the water for 24 hours until you are relieved by someone. But sometimes, they have no replacement for me, so I cannot quit my job without a replacement,” he added.
Untalan’s journey, from serving as a private first class to rising through the ranks, reflects the courage and sacrifices made during the war.
“Be honest with yourself and be a hardworking man in order to succeed in life,” Untalan urges the nation.
His story is a powerful reminder of the valor and commitment that shaped Philippine history, and the contributions of veterans deserve deep respect and gratitude.
Pangasinan’s heartfelt gratitude to veterans
Governor Ramon Guico III, meanwhile, expressed the province’s heartfelt gratitude to the veterans, recognizing their sacrifices and dedication as pivotal in shaping the country’s independence.
“Our veterans are the greatest example of patriotism. We would not be enjoying the freedom we have today if not for the sacrifices and patriotism of our dear veterans,” Guico said, urging that the country’s heroes be honored not just in words, but through actions that uphold their values and inspiring history for future generations to come.
Likewise, the ongoing construction of the reflective pool and Veterans Plaza at the Capitol Grounds is part of a project designed to honor the sacrifices of Filipino veterans.
Guico said that the projects will soon be unveiled to the public, providing a lasting tribute to the sacrifices of Filipino veterans.
Enhanced support for veterans’ healthcare
In addition to preserving the legacy and heroic deeds of veterans, the DND, in line with its mandates and functions, reaffirmed its commitment to further enhancing veterans’ medical care.
“We are working towards establishing the Veterans Medical Service. The Veterans Memorial Medical Center in Quezon City, as the flagship hospital, continues to provide medical services to our veterans and their dependents, while satellite hospitals are planned for establishment in the Visayas and Mindanao,” Lorenzo said.
“We also have a total of 24 projected veterans’ wards in various government hospitals nationwide. Five are already operational, one of which is right here in the province of Pangasinan, at the Region 1 Medical Center (R1MC) in Dagupan City,” he added.
The 15-bed ward at R1MC opened on Jan. 10, 2024, to serve not only war veterans but also their surviving spouses and disabled children, ensuring they receive the benefits they rightfully deserve from the government.
The facility, which cost P17 million, is equipped with state-of-the-art medical tools, with an additional P6 million allocated for equipment such as an intensive care unit (ICU), ventilators, mobile X-ray machines, electrocardiograms (ECG), and cardiac monitors.
This initiative aims to expand and enhance veterans’ access to quality medical care and hospitalization through collaborations and partnerships with hospitals nationwide, in line with the directives of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.
To date, Lorenzo said that there are 950 living veterans throughout the country, 25 of whom reside in Pangasinan. (AMB/JCDR/PIA Pangasinan)
