President Duterte commended Filipinos for following the minimum health standards set by the government, saying their obedience made the country's flattening of the COVID-19 curve possible.
Duterte made the statement after recent scientific studies showed that the COVID-19 curve in the Philippines has flattened almost six months after the quarantine was declared in the country.
In his televised address to the public on Monday, President Duterte said he was "pleased" to be informed that the Philippines is moving towards winning the fight against COVID-19.
"The coronavirus curve flattened. Meaning to say that there are now people with contaminated disease called COVID-19," he said Monday evening.
"No significant contamination has been noted by government. This means that the government effort that we are guided by the best interest of public health and the crucial data provided by medical science paid off," he added.
Duterte, in particular, commended Filipinos for following the strict protocols set by the Inter-agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases to combat the pandemic.
"One important factor that contributed to this development is the awareness of the public and we truly appreciate the majority of those who are following the minimum health protocols set by the IATF," he said.
"Sumunod kasi kayo sa ipinagbabawal ng gobyerno (It's because you followed government rules on what are not allowed). We had obedience and people followed. That meant a lot and contributed to what is happening now, that there is a flattening of cases," he added.
The President likewise commended the local government units for the implementation of antivirus measures in their localities.
"Mayroong iba talagang (Some followed) to the hilt, followed protocol to a T. Well, it redounded to the benefit of the people of their localities and I salute you for doing your duty very well," Duterte said.
Duterte, however, reminded the public not to be complacent.
"Despite these positive developments, we would still be vigilant and not let complacency overwhelm us and reduce our sacrifice to naught," he said.
"Remember that the lessening of contamination... is not because COVID-19, the germ, is gone. It is there floating around us," he added.
The President reminded the public to keep on wearing face masks, washing their hands, and practicing social distancing.
At present, the Philippines has 238,727 COVID-19 cases, 3,890 of whom died while 184,906 recovered.
COVID-19 is real
President Duterte compared the positive development in the Philippines to countries with a high number of COVID-19 cases, saying the leadership and the people in those countries downplayed the threat of the global health crisis.
The Chief Executive, in particular, cited the situation in the United States, the country with the most number of COVID-19 cases, and Brazil which ranked fourth worldwide. At present, the US has recorded 6,277,947 cases while Brazil has 4,137,521 cases.
"The President there medyo ano kasi siya eh, hindi kaagad naniwala, marami tuloy ang natamaan (he didn't believe in COVID-19 that's why they have so many cases)," Duterte said, referring to Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro who contracted COVID-19 himself.
"America because ayaw talaga karamihan maniwala ng Amerikano (America has many cases because most of them do not believe) even with the presence of clear danger... Puno ‘yung beach (The beach was full), everybody was partying," he added.