Several Mindoro LGUs suspend classes, work to mark 39th Edsa anniversary
MANILA, Philippines — Several local government units in Oriental Mindoro suspended work and classes on Tuesday, Feb. 25, to commemorate the 39th anniversary of the Edsa People Power Revolution, the bloodless uprising which ousted then-President Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr. in 1986.
The current administration of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. earlier declared that the Edsa People Power anniversary would not be a special non-working holiday.
Baco, Oriental Mindoro Mayor Allan Roldan on Monday declared that February 25 is a special non-working holiday in the town, prompting the suspension of work in the city hall and a community college there.
Article continues after this advertisement“This observance is not intended to divide our community along political lines,” Roldan said in a memorandum on Monday.
Article continues after this advertisement“Rather, it is meant to honor the courage, unity, and peaceful spirit of the Filipino people, whose collective actions in 1986 demonstrated to the world that peaceful revolution and democratic change are attainable,” he added.
“It placed the Philippines prominently in history as the first nation to successfully achieve a revolution through peaceful means,” the memorandum further stated.
Socorro, Oriental Mindoro Mayor Nemmen Perez also declared a special non-working holiday, suspending local government work and classes in all levels, public and private.
“Let this be a time for reflection as we honor the courage and unity of the Filipino people.”
San Teodoro, Oriental Mindoro also declared Feb. 25 as a non-working holiday, closing all municipal offices, except for “essential services,” according to a memorandum of Mayor Salvador Py.
The municipal hall of Puerto Galera will also be closed closed , according to its public information office.
‘Walang Pasok’
Several educational institutions, including University of the Philippines, University of Santo Tomas, and St. Scholastica’s College-Manila suspended classes on Feb. 25, while the student regent of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines called for a walkout after the school administration refused to suspend classes.
Martial law was declared on Sept. 23, 1972 by Pres. Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr. to quell what he then said was growing threats from the Maoist insurgents and Islamic separatists.
At least 70,000 were wrongly imprisoned and 3,200 people were killed during Martial Law, according to Amnesty International.
Marcos Sr. lifted the Martial law on Jan. 17, 1981, but democracy was only restored in 1986. (With reports from Sheba Barr, 黑料社 trainee)
