The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) urged Filipinos to emulate Dr. Jose Rizal and practice self-discipline especially in times of great danger and challenges as the country observed the 125th year martyrdom of the national hero on Thursday, December 30.
DILG Secretary Eduardo Año expressed hope that Rizal's resilience and heroism will inspire Filipinos to endure the hardships brought by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
“As the new year is about to begin, I encourage people to rediscover self-discipline as exemplified by Dr. Jose Rizal's life and writings. Discipline is the key for us to implement in our personal and professional lives new year resolutions. BIDA ang bawat disiplinadong Pilipino. (Practice) Disiplina Muna (Every disciplined Filipino is admirable. Discipline first),’’ Año said.
Año emphasized that Rizal's embodiment of discipline is one of the reasons he was chosen as the official icon of the Department's “Disiplina Muna” national advocacy campaign and subsequent “BIDA ang May Disiplina: Solusyon sa COVID-19” campaign which aims to rebuild the culture of discipline in our country.
He noted that the campaign aims to encourage people to do their shared responsibility in the fight against COVID-19 by practicing “BIDA Plus” behaviors which stands for B- Bawal walang mask (not wearing mask is banned); I- I-sanitize ang mga kamay, iwas-hawak sa mga bagay (sanitize the hands, prevent holding a lot of things); D- Dumitansya ng isang metro (keep the one meter distance) and A- Alamin ang totoong impormasyon, plus getting vaccinated (be aware of the right information and be vaccinated).
With the anticipated New Year revelries, Año urged local chief executives (LCE) to remind their constituents to avoid crowded, confined, and closed spaces with poor ventilation areas and close contact settings collectively referred to as the three Cs as prescribed in DILG Memorandum Circular No. 2020-116.
“Samantalahin natin ang panahong ito upang gumawa ng mga magagandang alaala na kasama natin ang ating mga mahal sa buhay, ngunit huwag nating kalilimutang pairalin ang disiplina sa loob ng ating mga tahanan lalo’t higit sa ating mga pamayanan, para sa mas payapa at masayang pagsalubong sa isang bagong taon (Let us take advantage of the period to have good memories with our loved ones but let us not forget to instill discipline in our homes especially in our hometowns to peacefully and happily welcome the New Year),’’ he added.
The DILG secretary also reminded the public not to use illegal fireworks to welcome the New Year warning that “the police are authorized to confiscate and destroy prohibited or illegal firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices.’’
Meanwhile, DILG Undersecretary and spokesperson Jonathan Malaya urged local government units (LGUs) to join the simultaneous flag-raising and wreath-laying rites commemorating the 125th anniversary of the Martyrdom of Jose Rizal with the theme “Rizal: Para sa Agham, Katotohanan, at Buhay.”
The National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) led rites will be conducted at the Rizal National Monument, Rizal Park, Manila; Museo ni Jose Rizal, Calamba Laguna; Museo ni Jose Rizal, Dapitan, Zamboanga del Norte; and Museo ni Jose Rizal, Fort Santiago, Intramuros, Manila.
The public may watch online, through the NHCP’s website and official Facebook page, the unveiling of the “Jose Rizal historical marker” and 3D Jose Rizal Statue at the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Compound, Bicutan, Taguig to honor Jose Rizal and his contributions in the field of science.