Lorenzana calls on Filipinos to honor, support frontliners

April 8, 2020

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana urged Filipinos to honor and support frontliners in the battle to curb the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in his Lenten message on Wednesday.

"Amid the country's battle against COVID-19, the Department of National Defense joins our Catholic brothers and sisters in the observance of the Holy Week. This sacred season is a time to reflect on our faith and the essence of our Christian values," he said.

"While the situation we are facing today is truly challenging, the pandemic also brought to the forefront the power of our Bayanihan spirit, which is greatly contributing to the developments in our fight against this virus. Every effort, great or small, to help those who need it the most during this crisis is a testament to the resilience and generosity of Filipinos," said Lorenzana.

"As we ponder on the true meaning of the Lenten Season, we honor our medical and healthcare professionals, the members of the academe, our researchers and scientists, our service industry workers, hardworking public servants, security forces, private enterprises and civil society organizations, and every Filipino who heeded the call to unite as we work to heal as one," he added.

Lorenzana also call the public to do their best to protect themselves, their families and communities from the disease.

"Every household is crucial in combatting the spread of the virus. Let us all do everything we can to stop COVID19 from entering our homes and spreading in our communities. Our government is treating this pandemic with the utmost priority and urgency," he said

"For its part, the Department of National Defense shall continue to support the efforts of the national government to effectively address the ongoing health emergency. Working together as one nation, this is a fight that we will surely win. I have no doubt that we will overcome this pandemic," he added. Robina Asido/DMS