Duterte declares National Week of Prayer vs COVID-19

President Duterte declared the fourth week of March 2020 as the National Week of Prayer, urging all Filipinos to unite in prayer against the COVID-19 pandemic through Proclamation No. 934.

He encouraged prayers for the recovery of COVID-19 patients, comfort for the bereaved, protection for all, and strength for medical professionals, frontliners, government officials, and all Filipinos working tirelessly.

Duterte expressed hope that prayer would provide strength for the nation to overcome the 'invisible enemy'.

The initiative follows a request from House of Representatives officials to declare a National Day of Prayer and comes as the Philippines faces a growing number of COVID-19 cases.

The country is under a State of Public Health Emergency, with Luzon under an enhanced community quarantine and a nationwide State of Calamity.

The Senate and House of Representatives will hold a special session called by Duterte to address the COVID-19 threat.