President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. leads the the 84th anniversary of the Araw ng Kagitingan at the Dambana ng Kagitingan on Mount Samat National Shrine, Bataan.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday appealed for solidarity and compassion as the country confronts the economic and social effects of the Middle East conflict, drawing parallels with the resilience shown by Filipino veterans during World War II.
Speaking at the 84th anniversary of Araw ng Kagitingan in Bataan, the President linked the sacrifices of wartime heroes to present-day challenges such as rising fuel costs and global instability driven by geopolitical tensions.
He told attendees at the Dambana ng Kagitingan in Pilar town that while current difficulties differ from those faced in the past, they demand a similar resolve from Filipinos.
Marcos said the country may be distant from conflict zones but is still affected, particularly through increasing fuel prices that burden households, especially vulnerable sectors.
He emphasized that the legacy of Filipino veterans calls for vigilance, unity and a continued commitment to act amid ongoing challenges.
The President said the government has taken steps to ease the impact of the crisis, including efforts to stabilize fuel supply and shield consumers from price fluctuations.
However, he stressed that addressing the situation requires collective effort, noting that nation-building depends on shared responsibility grounded in integrity, courage and patriotism.
Marcos also highlighted the value of empathy, saying that recognizing shared struggles can strengthen trust, cooperation and a sense of national unity among Filipinos.
