MALAYBALAY CITY, Bukidnon (PIA)–Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar urged fellow Filipinos to make a better world by spreading kindness and hope despite the raging coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
During the Laging Handa Network Briefing news program carried live via Radyo Pilipinas, PTV, and other digital broadcast platforms, Andanar said connectivity among families, friends, and support groups gives us hope that things will get better.
“The decision we will make every minute will determine whether or not we will beat the coronavirus. The fight against COVID also depends on each of us. Wherever we are in the country, we will gradually come to terms with the fact that we are still here on COVID-19 and the only thing that can stop it is community and cooperation,” he said.
He explained that due to COVID-19, many people found themselves glued to the news, concerned for their loved ones, and adapting their lives to deal with the changes the pandemic is having on their homes, schools, and workplaces because the coronavirus exists to spread where, when, and how it can.
Accordingly, he said, it’s not always the strongest species that survives; it’s sometimes the most adaptable, because humans are highly flexible—emphasizing that this is pretty tough.
As of June 4, the Philippines has recorded 20,382 COVID-19 infections.
Around 4,248 COVID-19 patients have already recovered, while 984 individuals have died due to the highly infectious disease.
Andanar said that while nobody would choose to go through this crisis, there are medical researchers and science experts who are keen to investigate in order to find a cure for COVID-19.
In fact, he did point out that for every social problem that has existed, there have been people or leaders dedicated to solving it, thus, a better world is always a possibility and to surrender hope only ensures that nothing will change.
“Hope is seeing light in spite of being surrounded by darkness. In crisis, as we know sometimes the impossible becomes possible. Your government under the leadership of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte is doing everything to somehow encourage us to reach our aspirations amidst the dark stages of our misery. Let us trust and have faith that with the Creator’s guidance, the government is doing what is best for us,” the Communications Secretary said.
In the same way, he emphasized that every person can make a difference, and no deed is too small to matter because putting the world back together a little at a time, each one, every single day, can create positive social change.
“My hope is that we can use this COVID-19 catastrophe to mobilize remotely and to shape the world into a better, fairer place. All significant changes in the world start slowly, at a single time and place, with a single action. All we need is to work together to attain our keen desires and hopes of a better and secure future,” Andanar said. (RLRB/PIA Bukidnon)
