‘SALUTE TO THE HEROES’: Flags in Iloilo City to fly at half-staff to mourn fallen frontliners

Flags displayed within the territorial jurisdiction of Iloilo City will fly at half-staff starting today, Aug 31, 2020 as the country celebrates National Heroes Day.

The gesture aims to mourn and honor frontliners who died amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas issued executive order (EO) No. 139 on Friday ordering the national flag to be flown at half-staff to mourn fallen frontliners from 12:01 am of August 31, 2020 until 11:59 p.m. of Sept 6.

Treñas mayor said it is pursuant to Section 27-I of the Republic Act. No 8491 (Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines) which allows the flag to be flown at half-staff or half-mast as a sign of mourning in all buildings and places where it is displayed.

“The National Historical Commission of the Philippines through its letter-recommendation dated August 17 has allowed Iloilo City government to fly the flag at half-mast in all buildings and places where it is displayed within the territorial jurisdiction of Iloilo City  to mourn for and in honor of the fallen frontliners,” he said.

COVID-19 cases in Western Visayas spiked to 4,253 total cases with 2,239 recoveries, 66 deaths, and 1,948 active cases.

The data based on Regional Case Bulletin No.155 of Department of Health in Western Visayas (DOH-6) as of Saturday, Aug 29, 2020.

Out of this number, 76.44 percent remain asymptomatic; 12.32% exhibited mild symptoms or influenza like illness (ILI); 4.21 percent are considered severe acute respiratory infection (SARI); and 7.03 percent are still for verification.

Meanwhile, Iloilo City recorded 855 cumulative cases with 354 recoveries, 19 deaths and 482 active cases.  (ERS)