WITH the government’s Covid-19 response now centered on Cebu City, Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma on Friday, July 3, 2020, rallied Cebuanos to practice personal discipline and show their solidarity in combating the disease.
In an interview with CBCP News, Palma called on Cebuanos to prove to the rest of the country that they will not be defeated by the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.
“The worst of times is indeed the best of times to show to the rest of the country our sense of personal discipline, and our willingness to show our deeply embedded Cebuano spirit of solidarity and tenacity,” Palma said.
He said it is imperative that Cebuanos remain united amid the continued hardship brought about by the outbreak.
“I wish to gently remind all of us to refrain from hurting one another any further with unkindness because the virus itself has done enough harm to us,” Palma said.
He also called on Catholic faithful to prove to the government that Cebuanos are capable of following the established protocols and guidelines.
"(Let us) maintain our sense of courtesy and respect to government authorities," said Palma.
Cebu City is the only area in the country that remains under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) until July 15.
President Rodrigo Duterte had blamed Cebuanos for being stubborn (gahi’g ulo) and defiant (suberbiyo) for the rising cases of infection, widespread community transmission and high critical care utilization rate in the city.
As of July 2, Cebu City has a total of 5,740 cases of infection, according to the Cebu City Health Department.
Of this number, 2,562 were active cases, 2,985 have recovered and 193 had died. (HDT/SunStar Philippines)