In his fifth State of the Nation Address on July 27, President Rodrigo Duterte thanked the IATF for their hard work and in keeping the coronavirus pandemic “in check”, even as cases of COVID-19 continued to spike daily.
“I also thank the men and women of the inter-agency task force on emergent infectious diseases and the national task force against COVID-19 for all the countless hours spent to keep the pandemic in check and for all the efforts it made to ensure the safety of our people,” Duterte said appreciatively.
The president delivered his 5th SONA in front of only 50 lawmakers and officials, unlike the traditional crowd in Batasang Pambansa.
Cases of COVID-19 in the country hit 82,040. University of the Philippines experts earlier predicted that the country’s COVID-19 tally would hit 80,000 to 85,000 by the end of July.
PRRD also extended his gratitude to workers who ensured the steady supply of utilities and basic services, as well as lawmen and security guards who kept peace and order.
“You showed us kindness and selflessness. You gave us strength, you risked your own lines (sic) to serve the greater good in keeping the Filipino spirit of bayanihan,” he said.
