SAN FRANCISCO DE MACORÍS – The Dominican Republic officially launched its Month of the Homeland celebrations with a grand commemorative parade honoring the 213th birth anniversary of Juan Pablo Duarte, the nation’s founding father. President Luis Abinader presided over Monday’s ceremonial events that emphasized the government’s dedication to preserving Duarte’s core principles of freedom, national sovereignty, and patriotic values.
Juan Pablo Uribe, heading the Permanent Commission of Patriotic Anniversaries (CPEP), delivered a stirring tribute characterizing Duarte as “the Dominican of purest glory.” Uribe urged citizens to embrace the founding father’s exemplary dedication through love, diligent work, and national sacrifice. The CPEP president notably connected these historical values to the current administration, praising President Abinader for embodying Duartean ideals including governmental honesty, personal integrity, national dignity, and transparent leadership.
Local leadership including San Francisco de Macorís Mayor Alex Díaz and Provincial Governor Ana Xiomara Cortés echoed these sentiments, stressing how Duarte’s legacy translates to modern governance through strong civic ethics, social responsibility, and dedicated public service. Both officials emphasized that transparency and commitment to communal welfare serve as fundamental pillars for national development.
The ceremony culminated with President Abinader authorizing a combined civic-military and police parade featuring students from Duarte province schools, elite Armed Forces units, and specialized National Police divisions. The president’s participation alongside high-ranking military, governmental, and religious authorities reinforced the institutional commitment to honoring Duarte’s enduring influence on Dominican society and governance.