AS THE country celebrated National Heroes' Day amid the Covid-19 pandemic, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio urged the public to support all health and non-health frontliners, whom she called the country's "modern-day" heroes.
"As we celebrate our National Heroes' Day during the time of a Covid-19 pandemic, I would like to emphasize our all-out support and gratitude to all the health and non-health frontliners who toil everyday in our hospitals, facilities, checkpoints, and wherever they are needed. It is your hard work that makes our city stand up against this relentless virus," Duterte-Carpio said during the City Government's commemoration of the National Heroes' Day at the Osmeña Park on Monday, August 31.
Duterte-Carpio, in an ambush interview, said that Filipinos, in essence to the celebration, should honor the country's heroes in the past as they are the ones responsible for bringing sovereignty and democracy in the country.
"We should not forget their contributions in our country. What we enjoy today was because of their bravery, strength, and wisdom," the mayor said.
But she said, with the country facing a current health battle, the Covid-19 frontliners should be honored for their sacrifices and hardships in curbing the spread of the virus, which remains no cure or vaccine until now.
"Gusto nato mahibal-an nila nga dako kaayo atong pasalamat sa ilang (We want to let them know how grateful we are for their) hard work because this makes our city strong and stand up against the Covid-19 virus," Duterte-Carpio said.
She also urged the public to be a "hero in the time of pandemic" by doing the Department of Health's minimum health protocols, such as wearing of face masks when going to public places, observing two-meter physical distancing, bringing of pocket alcohol or hand washing of soap and water, and staying home when not doing important errands.
Duterte-Carpio had reiterated that this would help prevent the virus from spreading.
This year, only few guests were invited, as compared to the previous years when other high ranking officials and foreign delegates were part of the spectators in the special event in the country.
National Heroes' Day was first signed into law through Republic Act 3827 in 1931. The law declared the last Sunday of August an official national holiday. However, in 2007, former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo signed into law Republic Act 9492, which set the National Heroes' Day on the last Monday of August.
Duterte-Carpio, in a previous interview, said that commemoration of important dates and legal holidays will still push through but will be kept short and simple.
This is in accordance with her signed Executive Order 25 series of 2020, declaring a period of mourning and vigilance from April 17 to December 31, 2020.