As the Philippines celebrates National Heroes’ Day, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) honors our new heroes that are currently manning the country’s frontlines in addressing the health and economic challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.  

National Heroes’ Day has always been about recognizing the heroism of our heroes who had fought for our country’s liberty and independence in battles and wars. While this present crisis is not set during war-time, the price still being paid has been momentous as our people reckon with uncertainty and fear due to the COVID-19 virus. Thus, the frontliners in this crisis include our healthcare workers as well as employees of the service industry who keep our communities safe and our loved ones healthy at home.  

DTI knows that we need to balance public health and the national economy during the current pandemic. That’s why as the government remains committed to ensuring our people stay healthy, DTI will continue to work towards saving jobs and employment while also slowly pushing the revival of our economy to help save companies hard-hit by the pandemic.  

In his address to the nation on the first National Heroes’ Day in 1946, President Manuel Quezon called for a different type of heroism and asked Filipinos to be “heroes of peace.” Last year, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte called on us to be “everyday heroes” in his own message for National Heroes’ Day. Thus, let us take our inspiration from the Filipinos who had fought for freedom and our present-day frontliners. Let us be our own heroes as we build back better towards a more inclusive and progressive future.

Date of Release: 31 August 2020