Citing the bravery, sacrifice, and dedication of men and women fighting the dreaded coronavirus disease (COVID-19), Manila Mayor Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domagoso dedicated the celebration of National Heroes' Day to frontliners who are regarded as new heroes of our time.
"Itong araw na ito, totoo holiday ngayon (Today is a holiday), but it is dedicated to frontliners, the flag raising is about them," Domagoso said Monday.
"Sa mga barangay, kawani ng pamahalaan, pulis, at higit sa lahat ang ating medical frontliners (To our personnel in the barangay, government employees, police and above all to our medical frontliners) keep up the good job. Our doctors, nurses, and the medical staff are doing their best to continue to raise the high recovery rate," the mayor added.
Domagoso urged the public to say a simple "thank you" to frontliners to show their gratefulness for risking their lives so that others may live.
"apag kayo ay nakakita ng ating frontliners sa medical, barangay, at mga pulis, a simple 'thank you' will do, so that in our hearts, in our mind we are one fighting this pandemic...
"As you know, infection will continue because it depends on , the people, if what will be our actions. But what matters most is for us to reduce the infection and death , and for the recovery rate to soar by strengthening our medical facility, equipment, and helping our doctors and nurses by hiring more doctors and nurses, and acquiring any type of medicine that will help our patients who got infected of COVID-19," Domagoso said.
The mayor also acknowledged the great contribution of those who fought and sacrificed their lives to achieve the liberty of the country.
" ayo ay mayroong responsibilidad bilang mamamayan. Utang natin sa kanila ito, Obligasyon natin ito sa ating bansa. Walang magmamalasakit sa atin kung hindi tayong mga kapwa Filipino. Kaya umiral sana lagi sa puso't isipan na tayo ay isang bansa, isa ang diwa, at tayo ay malaya (We have a responsibility as citizens. We owe it to them. It is our obligation to our country. Nobody else will care for our country but us Filipinos. That's why I hope we instill in our hearts and minds that we are one country, one in spirit, and free)," he said.
Despite the shift to general community quarantine status in the National Capital Region, Domagoso reminded the public that the virus is still in our midst and people must not put their guard down.
"Bagamat magkaganoon man, hindi tayo puwedeng huminto bilang pamahalaan, bilang indibidwal na itaguyod ang kanya-kanyang interes ng bawat pamilyang Manileño (With the virus in our midst, government or as individuals must not stop to pursue the interest of Manila residents). We must learn to live with COVID-19, at the same time, we must learn to go back to work safely," Domagoso stressed.
As of August 30, Manila has 7, 931 confirmed COVID-19 cases with 6,769 recoveries and 843 active cases.