On Independence Day, Velasco tells Filipinos to unite to free PH from pandemic

SPEAKER LORD ALLAN VELASCO. Photo from the Office of the Speaker, House of Representatives

MANILA, Philippines — Filipinos must unite to free the country from COVID-19 just as our ancestors did to give the Philippines freedom, House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco said Saturday to mark Independence Day.

In a statement, Velasco said some “basic rights” were taken away due to restrictions imposed to curb the coronavirus spread.

“Many of us are unable to go to work, schools remain closed, millions have lost their jobs and livelihoods, and a lot of people can’t avail of medical care because hospitals are filled with COVID-19 patients. Indeed, some of our basic rights have been momentarily taken away due to the coronavirus,” Velasco said.

“While we continue to navigate the challenges brought by the pandemic, may we be reminded of the immense sacrifices our ancestors made and what they had to pay for the freedom we enjoy. We, too, have to take up the fight to free our country from COVID-19,” he added.

With COVID-19 vaccines already arriving, Velasco stressed the government must vaccinate as many Filipinos as possible to finally end the health crisis.

“To win against COVID-19, we need to work together and build on our strengths, just like what our forefathers did almost a century and a quarter ago. Together, there are no challenges we can’t overcome,” Velasco said.

Velasco also paid tribute to all frontliners who are sacrificing their lives to provide care amid the pandemic.

“They paid for our freedom with their hard work and sacrifice. Now, we must work hard to create a better nation for generations that follow,” he said.

/MUF