We fully understand the personal opinion of former Archbishop of Lipa Ramon Arguelles as one of the former leaders but still an influential personality of the Roman Catholic in the Philippines. As a Roman Catholic myself, I believe that the Almighty God is the Great Healer and the reason why our nation continues to stand its ground despite the adverse impacts of the Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19).
But your Joint Task Force COVID Shield is also guided with the time-tested Filipino proverb “Nasa Diyos ang Awa, Nasa Tao Ang Gawa.
Regardless of our religious affiliations and beliefs, we in the JTF COVID Shield believe that the responsibility of protecting ourselves, protecting our families, protecting our community and protecting our nation as whole from the COVID-19 still lies in our actions based on the scientific points of view and recommendations of health experts who are the persons in authority when it comes to this pandemic.
Science and religion are not enemies and therefore, must not clash on the aspect of protection from COVID-19. Instead, both science and religion should serve as our shield and armor as Filipinos and as a nation to fight, to win and to heal as one.
