'Bantayog ng Kabayanihan' to rise in BGC
Published Jun 26, 2023 07:06 am
A new monument recognizing the heroism of soldiers will be built by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Bases and Conversion Development Authority (BCDA) and Bonifacio Arts Foundation Incorporated (BAFI) in Bonifacio Global City (BGC), Taguig City.
*(Photo: Armed Forces of the Philippines)
* Lt Col. Enrico Gil C. Ileto, chief of AFP public affairs office, said the “Bantayog ng Kabayanihan” will symbolize the sacrifices and heroism of the soldiers who have fought for peace and freedom, and for the living heroes who are continuously dedicating their lives in protecting the country and serving the Filipinos. “It aims to awaken the sense of patriotism of Filipinos, and to help them realize that addressing insurgency and social issues is a shared responsibility,” Ileto said on Monday, June 26. A memorandum of agreement (MOA) for the said undertaking was signed by Brig. Gen. Arvin Lagamon, commander of the AFP Civil Relations Service (CRSAFP); lawyer Gisela Kalalo, Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer of BCDA; Fort Bonifacio Development Corp. (FBDC) Chief Financial Officer Maria Lourdes Reyes and Chief Operating Officer Alfonso Javier D Reyes; and BAFI Managing Director/Curator Maria Isabel Garcia. The “Bantayog ng Kabayanihan” will be the second historic marker that will be built in BGC in honor of the military. In 2018, the BCDA together with partners FBDC and BAFI installed the “Alab ng Puso,” which portrays a Filipino soldier who is reading a letter from his family. The installation of the markers are part of the BCDA’s BGC Historical Markers Project, which aims to consistently and continuously share stories about patriotism and the rich history of Fort Bonifacio – a former military camp that now houses the country’s premiere business district. “This monument will keep the soldiers inspired, motivated especially those who are in the isolated distant posts, those who are manning the isolated islands at the West Philippine Sea, our personnel who are patrolling the skies, seas and streets and our personnel who have to leave their respective families not knowing if they will be able to return safely,” Lagamon said. Meanwhile, the BCDA said it has remitted P3.31 billion to the AFP this year which represents a major share from the state firm’s disposition proceeds as proof of its commitment to help strengthen the country’s troops. “Recognizing the AFP as our major stakeholder, the BCDA always ensures that our Armed Forces receive the biggest chunk from our gross disposition income every year. Our consistent contribution to the military is possible through great efforts to sustain our robust financial standing, bolstered by excellent collection efforts and sound management,” said BCDA Acting President and Chief Executive Officer Joshua M. Bingcang. The BCDA said that this year’s contributions to the AFP declined by 54 percent as compared to last year’s P7.21 billion “due to the delay in the clearing and turnover to the developer of a portion of the Bonifacio South Pointe property caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.” Since its establishment in 1992, the BCDA’s cumulative contributions to the AFP amounted to P59.71 billion, accounting for 44.34 percent of the P134.66 billion disposition proceeds as of end-2022.