Duterte declares 4th week of March National Week of Prayer

President Rodrigo Duterte has declared the fourth week of March 2020 as a "National Week of Prayer" to unite Filipinos from all faiths and religions in prayer amid the threat of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) to the country.

"I ask everyone to pray for the recovery of those who are now suffering from COVID-19, for comfort to those who lost loved ones, and for the protection of all, especially the most vulnerable sectors of society," Duterte said in Proclamation No. 934, which he signed on Saturday.

"Pray also for strength and endurance for our outstanding medical professionals and health workers on the frontlines, your military and law enforcement officers, the government officials and personnel dealing with the present threat, and all Filipinos who are working tirelessly to protect our communities, sacrificing their lives in the service of the country," he added.

The signing of the proclamation came after officials of the House of Representatives requested Duterte in a letter to declare March 22 as "National Day of Prayer" amid the COVID-19 threat.

The Senate and the House of Representatives will also hold a special session, which Duterte himself called, on Monday at 10 a.m. to take up measures to address the COVID-19 threat. — DVM, GMA News