Every day, hundreds of people pass by this monument with names of heroes who fought for freedom. Every day, the Fallen Sons of Ligao monument stands still.
The guerrillas
Mr. Bienvenido Dayandante Sr., a war veteran, recalled how the Fallen Sons fought during the Japanese war. The Fallen Sons, according to him, were those who fought in Bataan, Corregidor, Camalig, and in Ligao. The government released a General Order requiring all men to join the war. This is why, according to him, the members of the guerrilla organizations were not all combatants; some were cooks, carpenters, etc.
 |
| REMEMBERING THE HEROES. The Fallen Sons of Ligao monument is located at Dunao, Ligao City. Photo by Sherwin Magayanes |
Mr. Dayandante joined one of the guerrilla units when he was around 15-16 years old. He remembers walking barefoot from their camp site in Ligao to the battleground in Camalig. Among the leaders of the guerilla organizations were Capt. Salvador del Rosario, Capt. Ramon Aldea, and Lt. Silvestre Villaseñor, he mentioned.
Economic crisis
During the Japanese occupation, Ligao suffered from economic struggles, there was poverty. According to Mr. Dayandante, there had been a lack of rice supply and people only ate vegetables.
Elias Tibor, who was the chief executive during the time, thought of a marketing strategy to improve the economic status of Ligao.
…he convinced the Japanese that the other nearby towns were hotbed of guerrilla activities. To cut the lines of supply to the guerrillas, he told the Japanese, the farm products and other commodities bound for the market of Polangui coming from Guinobatan should be diverted to Ligao’s market (Gerona, 2010, p.164)
Despite the improvement in the commercial status of Ligao, the lack of transportation for farm products became one of the reasons that limited the economic growth of Ligao. This was addressed when railroads were completed and people had a way of transporting goods through trains.
Ligao went through several crises even after the war when freedom was won over. But despite the challenges, Ligao was able to finally stabilize its economic status. There is enough supply of goods.
Road to economic growth
The Ligao Poblacion where most of the government offices and commercial buildings are located is now made accessible to the residents in the rural and coastal areas due to the roads, bridges, and pathways that were built and improved. People can now enjoy buying goods in the City market without wasting too much time on the road.
 |
| FARM-TO-MARKET ROADS: Farm products can now be easily transported to the market through improved pathways, roads, and hanging bridges. |
Likewise, farm-to-market roads opened the opportunity for farmers and families to sell their farm products to a bigger market.
The Fallen Sons of Ligao monument is not only a reminder of the heroism in the early days of being under the tyrannous hands of colonizers but also a reminiscent of how Ligao struggled to survive the challenges, the poverty, and the painful treatment. It is a reminder that Ligaoenos should be proud to have leaders and heroes that fought to free their people and empower them to improve their lives.
References:
Gerona, D. (2010). LIGAO Abaca and the Saga of Prosperity. City Government of Ligao.
No comments:
Post a Comment