CALOOCAN CITY, Feb. 4 (PIA) --Manila Mayor Francisco ‘Isko Moreno’ Domagoso on Wednesday, February 3 said no amount of gratitude would equal the patriotism manifested by the country’s healthcare workers as he likened them to victors and heroes of the historic Battle of Manila in 1945.
The mayor made the remarks as the city during the commemoration of the 76th anniversary of the Battle of Manila, a major encounter between American and Filipino troops against Japanese forces in what is considered as the worst urban battle in the Pacific theater.
In his speech before ambassadors from five foreign countries at Fort Santiago in Intramuros, Domagoso said the country’s healthcare workers “are no different from the heroes of the past,” citing their sacrifices by “risking their limbs and lives” to contain the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We have in our midst, battalions of doctors, regiments of nurses, brigades of health workers and platoons of frontliners who are risking their lives and limbs to contain the virus,” Domagoso said.
“They are no different from the heroes of the past. They have done so much sacrifice for the sake of our country,” the mayor said.
Domagoso also rendered his “snappy salute” to fallen healthcare frontline workers, adding that “no amount of thanks and gratitude could equal the act of patriotism” they have manifested during the pandemic.
“The City of Manila and every Batang Manileño will always be proud of you, the mayor said as he encouraged his constituents to continuously support the government to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We may be not be threatened by a war against nations, but the battle that we have at present is a battle for survival against a dreaded virus,” he added.
The mayor also recognized the “painful and excruciating experience” the city’s forefathers suffered from during the war.
“Never again would our forefathers who fought with the guardians of freedom want us to witness devastation and wanton disregard to the basic rights of human beings,” Domagoso said.
“The loss of lives and properties resulting to greed for power and world domination taught us valuable lessons, and that is for civilization to progress. Only cooperation and amity among nations would be the ultimate key to global development and advancement,” he added.
A wreath-laying ceremony was conducted at the White Cross in Fort Santiago, Intramuros to commemorate the historic battle.
The mayor was joined by foreign envoys—United States Embassy Chargé d'affaires Mr. John Law, Australian ambassador Steven Robinson, United Mexican States ambassador Gerardo Lozano Arredondo, Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian and Canadian Ambassador James Peter MacArthur.
He was also joined by Vice Mayor Ma. Sheilah ‘Honey’ Lacuna-Pangan, military host Captain Levi Carane PN, Rear Admiral Adeluis Bordado PN, National Parks and Development Committee executive director Cecile Lorenzana, National Museum director general Jeremy Barns, National Historical Commission deputy executive director for administrarion Carminda Arevalo and Intramuros Administration chief Atty. Guiller Asido. (MPIO/PIA-NCR)
Source: Philippines Information Agency (pia.gov.ph)
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