Quezon City continues to strengthen its partnership with other countries as Mayor Herbert Bautista recently led the groundbreaking ceremony of the Philippine-Israel Friendship Park at the Quezon Memorial Circle with the officials of the Embassy of Israel and Quirino Foundation.
The Philippine-Israel Friendship Park will feature a marker to honor the late President Manuel L. Quezon’s effort to save the lives of over 1,000 Jewish refugees during World War II.
The marker also commemorates the vote made by the Philippines that favored the partition of Palestine and the recreation of the state of Israel.
Israeli Ambassador to the Philippines Effie Ben Matityau also mentioned the “Open Doors” monument, located at Rishon Lezion Memorial Park in Tel Aviv in Israel that commemorates and honors Filipinos and President Quezon, during the ceremony.
President Quezon has been compared to Oskar Schindler for allowing Jewish refugees to enter the Philippines during Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler’s reign.
Schindler is a German businessman who saved hundreds of lives of Jews from Hitler’s persecution by providing them jobs in his industrial factory. His life was made into the award-winning film “Schindler’s List.”
Meanwhile, the Bureau of Fire Protection on Thursday reminded the Quezon City residents to practice caution and safety in celebrating the New Year.
Sr. Supt. Manuel Manuel, the city’s fire marshall, said those who will use firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices this New Year’s Eve should follow the safety measures indicated in their brochures and manuals.
“We need to be extra careful. We must follow the safety measures indicated on the brochures as to how to use the firecrackers. We all know how dangerous to use them,” he said.
“To those who have been injured, clean your wound with clean water and go to a nearby hospital,” he added.
Meanwhile, Manuel said they received only two permit applications as of Dec. 27. Thus the BFP is expecting “guerrilla type” vending of firecrackers in some areas in Quezon City.
He called on the public to report illegal vendors of firecrackers and pyrotechnics devices.
Those who intend to display fireworks and pyrotechnic devices must ask permission from the barangays and BFP for them to position their fire trucks near the area, he said.