Lorenzana proposes postponement of PMA alumni homecoming amid nCoV scare
Credit to Author: The Manila Times| Date: Tue, 04 Feb 2020 12:25:16 +0000
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Tuesday proposed the postponement of the annual alumni homecoming of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) in view of the 2019 novel coronavirus acute respiratory disease (2019-nCoV ARD) outbreak.
In a statement issued late Monday night, Lorenzana also backed the decision of Vice Admiral Allan Ferdinand Cusi, PMA superintendent, to temporarily close the academy’s grounds to the public.
The decision to close the PMA comes after Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong imposed a city-wide lockdown.
“Unless the city mayor reverses his decision before February 14, then I suggest that the PMA Homecoming be moved to a more auspicious date in the future,” Lorenzana said.
The annual military event is scheduled from February 14 to 16.
The PMA Alumni Association Inc. (PMAAAI) over the weekend said the annual alumni homecoming would push through despite the nCoV scare.
PMAAAI Chairman Rufo de Veyra said that there was no compelling reason to cancel the event.
Lorenzana said that his suggestion was for the safety of all alumni members, cadets and their families.
“We deem it prudent to avoid situations where the health and safety of our cadets, PMA alumni, and their families are put at risk,” the Defense chief said. DEMPSEY REYES