Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. on Saturday said this year’s celebration of Independence Day is marked by a “continuing struggle for independence” but not from outside forces but against an unseen enemy.
“We are fighting a different war for independence. Kag ara kita sa tunga-tunga sang bag-o nga giyera (We are in the middle of a new war). We are fighting for our independence against the disease, against Covid-19 (coronavirus disease 2019),” he said in his message during the short ceremony held in the town of Sta. Barbara.
Defensor added, however, that the province has succeeded in taking the biggest challenge, which is not the disease but ensuring the unhampered delivery of services to the people.
He added that fighting this war demands less, unlike during the time of revolutionary Ilonggo hero General Martin Delgo who fought using guns and needed to shed blood.
He said to win the war against Covid-19, the public is only asked to be understanding, to observe restraint, and to be careful.
He said the public should allow officials to put in place measures to fight the pandemic, and for them to understand that there is no easy way to have things done and it will cause inconvenience.
Foremost, the people should understand that the municipal quarantine being implemented in the province to reduce non-essential travel is not to inconvenience them, and the only way for the people to show they understand the restrictions is for them to follow, Defensor said.
He also asked the public to restraint from attending social gatherings, the primary cause of local transmissions.
Defensor said the public should be careful and always observe the minimum public health standards such as the use of face masks, shields, handwashing, and social distancing.
“Even in celebrating the most important part of the country’s history, we observe safe social distancing. We have to totally understand the precautions that we have to do so that we could win the fight against Covid-19,” he said.
The province of Iloilo and Sta. Barbara town were able to mount the Independence Day celebration with utmost precaution, he said.
A giant Philippine flag, measuring 30 feet x 60 feet, flying high in the 120-foot flagpole in front of the municipal hall of the Sta. Barbara was the highlight of the celebration.
“This flag-raising on the 123rd Independence Day (is) flag raising in social distancing,” Defensor said.
The flag-raising was followed by the wreath-laying ceremony before the monument of Ilonggo revolutionary hero General Martin T. Delgado just across the municipal hall.
Source: Philippines News Agency
