The government is spending P1 million for the low-key commemoration of the EDSA People Power Revolution on Friday, a day before the actual annual remembrance.
Presidential adviser on entrepreneurship Joey Concepcion announced that the 31st EDSA commemorative rites will be “very simple” and will be a “day of reflection” on how the nation can continue to live the spirit of EDSA.
The ceremony, which includes a mass and an awarding ceremony, will be held inside the Armed Forces of the Philippines headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City, according to Concepcion.
“It’s going to be a very simple affair. We decided to do it on Friday because we felt that Saturday, there will be a lot of people celebrating in various formats and different expressions,” Concepcion said.
“Moving forward, my vision is to see how we can continue to live on the spirit of EDSA, maybe in different forms. We can’t keep living on the past,” he added.
President Duterte has yet to confirm his attendance to the EDSA event this Friday. Former Presidents Fidel V. Ramos and Benigno S. Aquino III have been invited to attend the ceremony.
Previous EDSA people power commemorations were held on February 25 at the People Power Monument on EDSA in Quezon City. The traditional “salubungan” or meeting will also not be part of this year’s EDSA program.
Deputy Executive Secretary Menardo Gueverra said the no-fanfare EDSA commemoration does not mean the government was giving less significance to the historic event.
Gueverra also denied that the government toned down this year’s celebration due to the President’s close ties with the Marcoses.
“The theme for this year’s celebration is, “A Day of Reflection,” and that’s precisely the reason why there’s no pomp in this year’s anniversary celebration,” Gueverra said. (Genalyn D. Kabiling)