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PAO holds first virtual flag-raising ceremony; hopes COVID pandemic will be over in 2022

Philippines | National

PAO holds first virtual flag-raising ceremony; hopes COVID pandemic will be over in 2022

By Jeffrey Damicog

Public Attorney's Office

For the first time since March last year when the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) hit the country, the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) held its flag-raising ceremony on Monday, Dec. 27.

During the virtual ceremony, PAO Chief Persida V. Rueda Acosta expressed optimism that the pandemic will be over in 2022.

“Mula po noong Marso 2020 ay hindi na po kami nakapag-flag ceremony dahil nga sa pandemya (Since March 2020 we stopped holding flag-raising ceremonies due to the pandemic),” she said.

“Subali’t sa pagpasok po ng bagong taon atin pong salabungin papunta sa isang new normal sapagkat alam naman natin pakaunti na ng pakaunti ang kaso ng nagkakasakit bunga ng pandemya (However, let’s welcome the new year towards a new normal now that the number of COVID-19 cases continues to drop),” she pointed out.

Acosta rallied PAO officials and employees to enhance their efforts in providing legal assistance to the poor and the underprivileged members of society.

Last Dec. 26, the Department of Health (DOH) reported there were 433 COVID-19 cases that have been recorded, 283 cases of recoveries, and 13 deaths. There are now 9,522 active COVID infection cases nationwide.

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