DILG Sec. Año wishes Filipino Muslims a blessed month of Ramadan
By Chito Chavez
Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo M. Año on Saturday expressed his warmest greetings “of a blessed month of Ramadan to all Filipino Muslims who are observing fasting 14 hours a day.’’
DILG Secretary Eduardo Año (Philippine Information Agency / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)
He said that the spirit of sacrifice, faith, obedience, discipline, and charity being observed “by our Filipino Muslim brothers and sisters this month’’ are valuable assets in the current imposition of Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) in high-risk areas as well as the General Community Quarantine (GCQ) in low-risk areas starting May 1, 2020 amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (CoVID-19) pandemic.
While congregational prayers are not allowed to prevent mass gatherings, Año explained that quarantine safety measures are beneficial “in easing your fasting as you stay home and do your solemn prayers and reflections’’.
“May this holy month further tighten the solidarity of Filipino Muslims with the nation in our common goal for a peaceful and progressive country,’’ Año said in a statement.
“The DILG and its attached agencies especially the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) and the Philippine National Police (PNP), are one with you in ensuring a peaceful observance of Ramadhan,’’ he added.
As the nation continues to combat the pandemic, Año reiterated the government’s call to local government units (LGUs) to “ensure the provision of halal food packs to your Muslim constituents, as directed in DILG Memorandum Circular No. 2020-061’’.
This memorandum ensures that the country’s Muslim communities are not bypassed in the relief operations.
As for Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs) in the facilities of the Bureau of Jail Management and Pedology (BJMP), Jail chief Allan Iral in a report to Año said the bureau has strictly adhered to the provision of halal food and the observance of physical distancing during prayer activities in jails.
“The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) is also on guard in ensuring a fire safe nation,’’ .Año noted.
“Again, I wish our Muslim brothers and sisters a blessed observance of Ramadhan! May we continue to tread the path of unity amid diversity through tolerance and coexistence; solidarity amid challenges; and faith in our only one God who will not fail us from our common enemies such as COVID-19,’’ the DILG chief ended.
DILG Secretary Eduardo Año (Philippine Information Agency / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)
He said that the spirit of sacrifice, faith, obedience, discipline, and charity being observed “by our Filipino Muslim brothers and sisters this month’’ are valuable assets in the current imposition of Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) in high-risk areas as well as the General Community Quarantine (GCQ) in low-risk areas starting May 1, 2020 amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (CoVID-19) pandemic.
While congregational prayers are not allowed to prevent mass gatherings, Año explained that quarantine safety measures are beneficial “in easing your fasting as you stay home and do your solemn prayers and reflections’’.
“May this holy month further tighten the solidarity of Filipino Muslims with the nation in our common goal for a peaceful and progressive country,’’ Año said in a statement.
“The DILG and its attached agencies especially the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) and the Philippine National Police (PNP), are one with you in ensuring a peaceful observance of Ramadhan,’’ he added.
As the nation continues to combat the pandemic, Año reiterated the government’s call to local government units (LGUs) to “ensure the provision of halal food packs to your Muslim constituents, as directed in DILG Memorandum Circular No. 2020-061’’.
This memorandum ensures that the country’s Muslim communities are not bypassed in the relief operations.
As for Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs) in the facilities of the Bureau of Jail Management and Pedology (BJMP), Jail chief Allan Iral in a report to Año said the bureau has strictly adhered to the provision of halal food and the observance of physical distancing during prayer activities in jails.
“The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) is also on guard in ensuring a fire safe nation,’’ .Año noted.
“Again, I wish our Muslim brothers and sisters a blessed observance of Ramadhan! May we continue to tread the path of unity amid diversity through tolerance and coexistence; solidarity amid challenges; and faith in our only one God who will not fail us from our common enemies such as COVID-19,’’ the DILG chief ended.