Lanao town declares holiday to honor slain barrio doctor

Friends of Dr. Dreyfuss Perlas mark his death anniversary on the spot where he was killed in Kapatagan, Lanao del Norte. RICHEL V. UMEL

SAPAD, LANAO DEL NORTE—Government transactions and classes in public and private schools here were suspended on Thursday following the declaration of a local holiday to commemorate the first death anniversary of Dr. Dreyfuss Perlas.

The holiday was declared by the town council and was approved by Mayor Paruk Asis.

The council also renamed the town’s birthing center in memory of Perlas, 31, a native of Aklan province who came to the town as part of the Department of Health’s Doctors to the Barrios program.

He was a Sapad health officer at the time of his murder on March 1 last year.

In a ceremony held at the town hall, government employees and residents cited Perlas’ contribution to Sapad.

They also offered prayers and flowers and lighted candles at the site where Perlas was gunned down. —RICHEL V. UMEL