Iloilo City gov’t Cedes WWII heroes’ shrine to PVAO

ILOILO CITY — The site that cradles the remains of World War II heroes from Panay is now officially in the hands of the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO) after the Iloilo City government turned over full ownership of the Balantang Memorial Cemetery National Shrine in Barangay Balantang, Jaro.

Mayor Jerry Treñas and PVAO Administrator Undersecretary Reynaldo Mapagu signed the deed of donation and acceptance on Monday, June 9, formalizing the city’s donation of the 5,824-square-meter property declared a national shrine in 1994 through Proclamation No. 425.

Previously governed by a usufruct agreement, the donation now gives PVAO the green light for long-term redevelopment of the area.

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“It is our honor to finally donate this because you’ve been using this anyway so that you have full ownership over this property,” Treñas said, emphasizing the city’s understanding of how veterans “feel very strongly about this shrine.”

The mayor, whose father was a war veteran, described the transfer as more than symbolic, saying it’s a gesture of deep respect for the country’s war heroes, particularly those from Panay who fought during World War II.

Mapagu, meanwhile, called the shrine a vital space for fostering patriotism among younger generations and confirmed that a master development plan is ready to roll out.

The plan aims to enhance the site’s historical and cultural relevance not just for Ilonggos, but for all Filipinos.

He also paid tribute to veterans of the Second World War, Korean War, Vietnam War, and retired AFP personnel, underscoring the inclusive importance of the memorial.

With ownership now fully transferred, the shrine—already the final resting place for wartime heroes—is set to become a more vibrant, educational, and dignified tribute to the country’s legacy of resistance and sacrifice.Iloilo City gov’t Cedes WWII heroes’ shrine to PVAO for full redevelopment./lzb