MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte has discouraged children from asking gifts from their godparents this Christmas season due to the risk of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection.
President Duterte said just for this year, children must skip their annual visit to their ninongs and ninangs in exchange for their health and safety.
“There is always a time. Now is the time to be… hindi naman sedentary but iyong kalma muna. Tutal marami pa namang Pasko eh,” President Duterte said in his public address.
“Huwag na kayong maghingi-hingi sa mga ninong, ninang. Maglabas ‘yung ninang mo pati ninong, mamili diyan sa kung saan-saan. Idamay mo lang,” he added.
President Duterte has also urged the children to be patient and pray for the sick and hungry while a vaccine for COVID-19 has yet to be available in the country.
“Maghingi ka, hopefully in God’s own time, maybe next December. In the meantime, what should we do is pray for our country and prepare for those who are sick. At saka kung kakain ka, ako kung magkain ako, when I say my prayer, ‘God, remember those who have the food but who cannot eat,’” Duterte said.
“There’s always a time for an end. So time for happiness, time for enjoyment, birthday parties, wedding receptions, and time to be just relax lang, relax lang. Mahaba pa ang buhay. If not for you, then for your children,” he added.
Prior to discouraging the kids from asking gifts from their godparents, President Duterte earlier urged Filipinos to skip Christmas festivities to avoid spreading or catching the disease./PN
