Navy marks 122nd anniversary honoring heroes in fight vs COVID-19

May 20, 2020

The Philippine Navy (PN) honors the heroes fighting the COVID-19 pandemic as it marks its 122nd anniversary in a simple ceremony in Manila on Wednesday.

Lt. Commander Maria Christina Roxas, acting Philippine Navy public affairs director said the ceremony that was led by Flag Officer In Command, Vice Adm. Giovanni Carlo Bacordo was held at the PN headquarters  in Manila.

Roxas said the event started with a flag-raising ceremony with the flag flown at half-mast in all PN units across the country followed by a prayer, one-minute of silence and synchronized blowing of ships' horns or sirens.

"All of these were to pay tribute to all medical workers and other frontline personnel tackling the coronavirus disease, especially those we have lost along the way including the longtime member of the PN board of advisers, Dr. Aileen Baviera and Navy reservist Petty Officer Second Class (PO2) Simplicio Dasargo," she said.

In his remarks, Bacordo said the PN ” should take advantage of the lessons from COVID-19 pandemic “to sense the relevance and urgency of making our Navy a better, more responsive, more credible and efficient protector of our Filipino people."

"With the unique opportunity to revisit our systems and procedures as we face this crisis, I encourage you, our navy personnel, our maritime stakeholders, our government leaders, the Filipino people, to support the Navy’s effort to achieve our vision," he said.

Roxas said physical distancing was strictly observed during the activity  attended by select PN personnel.

She said the event was shown through Facebook Live and witnessed by different PN units via live video conferencing.

"Outstanding units and personnel were also feted during the ceremony headlined by the Philippine Fleet as the Type Command of the Year; Naval Forces Western Mindanao as the Operating Forces of the Year; Naval Reserve Command as the Support Command of the Year; and Naval Intelligence Security Force as the Support Unit of the Year," she added.

Roxas said the midst of the Coronavirua pandemic, "the PN does not waver in transforming the vision of becoming a strong and credible Navy set in this banner year of 2020 into a reality by being a constant and dependable partner of the government, other agencies and stakeholders in providing much needed services to the Filipino people".  Robina Asido/DMS