MANILA, Philippines — Interior Secretary Eduardo Año on Friday urged the public to contribute in efforts to fight the spread of the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) saying that the resilience of Filipinos is again being tested by the pandemic as it was during the independence fight against Spain.
“The resilience and heroism of the Filipino people which has led to our emancipation from more than 300 years of Spanish colonization are now being tested anew as we battle COVID-19 – an invisible adversary that is gripping the entire world,” Año said in a statement for the commemoration of the Philippines’ 122nd Independence Day.
“With the same passion and courage demonstrated by our forebears and heroes, we are called today to stand up and contribute our efforts to defeat COVID-19 and protect our communities, our neighbors, and our families from this disease. We are asked to act in unity, just like the revolutionary movement of previous generations, to attain our freedom from this pandemic,” he added.
Año said Filipinos can contribute to the fight against COVID-19 can be done by observing health protocols to suppress the transmission of coronavirus as the country’s Independence Day is marked.
“I would like to emphasize that celebrating this day does not mean we disregard the guidelines set by the government to defeat COVID-19,” the Interior secretary said.
“On the contrary, let’s commemorate it by fighting for our liberation from this disease by cooperating with the government and living with personal discipline,” he added.