CABANATUAN CITY -Residents and medical practitioners in Nueva Ecija mourned the passing of a cardiologist from Peñaranda town who succumbed to Covid-19 on Saturday at the Philippine Heart Center.
“Hindi lang tayo ang nagluluksa, ang buong Pilipinas,” said Gov. Aurelio Umali on the death of Dr. Israel Bactol, 34, who was fondly called “Dr. B” by friends.
The news of Bactol’s death came on the heels of the Department of Health’s report that two Novo Ecijanoswere positive of Covid-19.
For the Municipality of Peñaranda, Bactol is the new icon in government’s fight against Covid-19.
“Mga kapwa taga–Peñaranda, let this be a lesson in life. Ang Covid ay hindi biro,” said the municipal health office in its statement. “Kaya po ayaw naming lumalabas kayo ng kalsada nang mabawasan na ang mga taong maaaring mahawahan nito.”
“Huwag po nating sayangin ang buhay ng isa sa mga doktor, nurse o sinumang nasa ospital dahil ginagamot nila kayo,” it said.
