Dgte honors COVID-19 frontliners on Independence Day

Dumaguete City Mayor Felipe Remollo pays tribute to frontliners amid the COVID-19 pandemic in his speech during the 122nd Independence Day anniversary rites held June 12, 2020 at Quezon Park, this city. (Photo courtesy of Dumaguete City PIO)

DUMAGUETE CITY, June 15 (PIA) -- Dumaguete City refrained from the usual elaborate ceremonies in its observance of the 122nd anniversary of Philippine Independence. 

The Independence Day anniversary commemoration here was reduced to simple wreath-laying and giving of speeches in the early morning of June 12.

Mayor Felipe Remollo led other city officials in a flag-raising ceremony at Quezon Park.

He also placed a wreath in front of the statue of the country’s National Hero, the late Dr. Jose Rizal. 

Footages of the highlights of the Independence Day rites were posted in the city government’s official Facebook page.

Protocols on physical distancing and wearing of face masks were strictly observed during the simple Independence Day anniversary ceremony based on the photos posted at the city government’s page.

In his speech, Remollo commended the efforts of health workers and other frontliners in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic.

“As we honor and remember our forefathers who fought and died for Philippine freedom and independence, we dedicate today’s 122nd Independence Day to the modern heroes today. The heroes who are now in the midst and continues to fight to suppress the spread of Covid virus. Our frontliners, health workers, traffic enforcers, government workers, discipline zone special enforcers unit, our city officials,” Remollo underscored in his speech.  

The local chief executive said the pandemic has posed a difficult challenge to government in terms of balancing the concerns of the Locally Stranded Individuals (LSIs) and returning Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) while protecting citizens who reside in the city.

Remollo appealed for further understanding from the public.

“I pray and hope that we unite to fight this virus. We unite and pray to God and I am confident that our prayers will be heard and all of us will survive this virus,” Remollo said.

Local officials who participated in the activity were City Councilors Karissa Tolentino, Michael Bandal, Lilani Ramon, Joe Kenneth Arbas, Edgar Lentorio Jr., Liga ng mga Barangay President Dionie Amores, City Administrator Doram Dumalagan, Assistant City Administrator Dr. Dinno Depositario, City Tourism Officer Jacqueline Antonio, and some police officers and city government officials.

Meanwhile, a handful of Provincial Government officials attended the Independence Day anniversary ceremony at the Freedom Park in front of the Capitol.

Provincial Administrator Dr. Henry Sojor (2nd from left) leads other officials of the provincial government of Negros Oriental in paying tribute to the Philippine flag during the simple Independence Day rites held at Freedom Park, Capitol Area, Dumaguete City on June 12, 2020. (Photo courtesy of Eugene Villaflores of the Provincial Public Information Office)

 

Provincial Administrator Dr. Henry Sojor, Provincial Legal Officer Atty. Richard Enojor, Provincial Veterinarian Jaime Villaluz, and other Capitol employees offered wreaths at the bottom of the flagpole at Freedom Park.

Aside from the simple offering of flowers and honoring the Philippine Flag, the provincial government also marked the occasion by discharging some 151 fishermen or pescadores from a government-designated quarantine facility where they stayed for 21 days since their arrival in Negros Oriental last month.

Officials from the Provincial Inter-Agency Task Force-Emerging Infectious Disease (IATF-EID) distributed certificates of quarantine completion and relief aid to the 151 fishermen before they were sent back to their respective cities and municipalities.

“Kayo ay malaya nang umuwi sa inyong kanya-kanyang tahanan (You are now free to go back to your respective homes),” said Col. Noel Baluyan, commander of the 302nd Infantry Brigade of the Philippine Army based in the province.

Baluyan is part of the Law Enforcement and Peace and Order (LEPO) Committee of the IATF-EID.

He was one of the officials who awarded the certificate of quarantine completion to the fishermen along with Assistant Provincial Health Officer and Hospital Incident Command System Commander Dr. Liland Estacion and Provincial Covid-19 Task Force Commander Adrian Sedillo.

The 151 fishermen were considered as LSIs and were placed in quarantine as part of the local health protocols against COVID-19. (ral/PIA7-Negros Oriental)

source https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1044826