The Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) launched on Wednesday “Disiplina Muna” to inculcate in people’s minds the importance of always observing discipline, anywhere.

Mayor Benjamin Magalong, who was named Cordillera’s ambassador for the “Disiplina Muna” campaign, said discipline is not inborn in a person but is acquired thru training.

Magalong said discipline is what defines a person especially now with the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic where following the rules is proving to be the best defense against the virus.

“Discipline is what is defining us from other compatriots on what we ought to do, moving ahead, amid the pandemic threat that continues to lurk everywhere. Discipline is what will carry us through to the very end, as we remain steadfast to priceless values which measure us from what others are,” he said.

He spoke of what the region accomplished in the past four months amid the pandemic.

“This simply signifies that by the self-restraint and disciplined compliance to our most basic possession, our very life and the life of our loved ones and others, we shall get past this very daunting enemy, as we have done proudly in past successes,” he said.

He said, “everyone in our region, in our city, in every Cordilleran community, has done and continues to do his part―to be out of harm’s way, to be out of health risk, to save lives, ours and others.”

Magalong said that the people’s collective sense of discipline doing not just the right thing but is doing them the right way is reaping benefits.

“We follow the health protocols like we had the virus in ourselves, thus disciplining ourselves to exercise prudence rather than carelessness, caution rather than carefree-ness, and character over sheer camaraderie,” he said.

“Kaya naman, ang panawagan sa panahong tulad ngayon: Sa hirap at ginhawa, disiplina muna! Nandyan ang ating pag-asa! (thus the call at this time: through thick and thin, there should be discipline where our hope depend on),” Magalong said.

In a video message, Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año said Baguio has joined the whole country in espousing discipline through Magalong who was named contact tracing czar.

“In the past months of battling Covid-19, Baguio City residents’ discipline and respect for laws have come a long way and served as example for the rest of the country,” he said.

“Mapalad ang Baguio City at nananalaytay sa bawat Cordilleran ang disiplina sa sarili (Baguio is lucky as discipline reigns in all Cordillerans),” he added.

“Altogether, you have proven that discipline means success, rapidly adapting to the new normal. The people of Baguio have been on their toes in stopping the spread of the virus since the disease struck the Philippines. Strict adherence to minimum health standards and protection of borders highlight the discipline that residents possess. Something that gains the admiration of other LGUs,” Año said.

The launching was attended by regional line agency representatives who also signed the pledge committing to help promote the campaign. (PNA)