‘VICTORY DAY’ Holiday today in Panay, Romblon and Guimaras

ILOILO City – March 18 of every year is a special non-working holiday by virtue of former President Corazon Aquino’s Proclamation No. 430 (An Act Declaring March 18 of every year as Victory Day in the Islands of Panay and Romblon including the cities of Iloilo and Roxas) issued in 1989.
Today, memorial ceremonies will be held starting at 7:30 a.m. at the Balantang Memorial Cemetery National Shrine in Jaro district with Administrator Ernesto Carolina of the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office as guest of honor.
World War II veterans who liberated Panay, Guimaras and Romblon islands from the Japanese Imperial Army will be honored and remembered.
Yesterday, a wreath laying ceremony was held at the Balantang Memorial Cemetery National Shrine honoring war veterans under Gen. Macario Peralta.
This was followed by another wreath laying ceremony at the statue of Peralta at the mini Peralta Park at the back of the Freedom Grandstand.
Ilonggo World War II veterans teamed up with the Allied Forces in liberating Panay, Guimaras and Romblon islands from the Japanese Imperial Army on March 18, 1945./PN