By Antonio Colina IV
DAVAO CITY -- Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte honored on Thursday the frontline health workers and security forces who continue to risk their lives in the fight against the deadly COVID-19 during the observance of the 78th Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor).
In a live interview held over Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR) 87.5, Duterte said she led the wreath-laying ceremony and offered prayers to the fallen heroes at the World War II War Veterans Memorial Monument with only a few officials from the Task Force Davao and Davao City Police Office.
“We wanted to honor the memories of those who died for our country, and salute the frontliners who are in the midst of our fight against Covid-19,” she said.
Duterte added she also visited the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) and the checkpoints in the city “just give our moral support on this fight on this very special day of Araw ng Kagitingan.”
She said the frontliners at the SPMC are in “in very high spirits.”
“They were very ready. They looked ready to accept people who need their help. Those who are manning the checkpoints ensure that the control measures are seriously implemented, we also thank them,” she added.
According to the Department of Health-Davao, the Davao Region reported 86 COVID-19 patients. Davao City reported 69, Davao del Norte 10, Davao del Sur 2, Davao de Oro 2, Davao Oriental 3, and Davao Occidental 0.
Of the total number of COVID-19 patients, 40 have already recovered and 13 died.
The entire city was placed under a 15-day enhanced community quarantine effective 9 p.m. of April 4 until 11:59 p.m. of April 19 to control the spread of COVID-19.
Duterte said she has been contemplating on placing the city under extreme enhance community quarantine if the number of COVID-19 cases would continue to increase, but added she would reinstate the simple “community quarantine” measure if the situation improves.