Iloilo Holidays: March 18 is Liberation of Panay

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Annually, March 18 is a non-working holiday in Iloilo, and the whole islands of Panay and Romblon in celebration of the Liberation of Panay, also known as Victory Day.

Liberation of Panay, Guimaras and Romblon. Troops of the 185th Infantry, 40th Division, take cover behind advancing tanks while moving up on Japanese positions on Panay on March 18, 1945. This photo was taken by Lt. Robert Fields who was killed shortly after. (Photo and caption by Nereo Lujan via Facebook)

Presidential Proclamation No. 430 entitled “An Act Declaring March 18 of every year as Victory Day in the Islands of Panay and Romblon including the cities of Iloilo and Roxas” was issued by by President Corazon Aquino in 1989 to commemorate the patriotism and gallantry of Filipino soldiers who teamed up with the Allied Forces during the Second World War to liberate Panay and Romblon islands on March 18, 1945.



“March 18, 1945 is of great historical and sentimental significance to both the veterans and the people of Panay and Romblon because it was the day when the Panay Guerilla Forces launched the final assault on the Japanese Imperial Armed Forces,” the proclamation added.

Celebration of the Liberation of Panay is annually held at Balantang Memorial Cemetery National Shrine in Quintin Salas, Jaro, Iloilo City.

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