THE PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) on Monday recognized the healthcare workers as modern-day heroes as the country continues to grapple with the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.
“As the nation observes the National Heroes Day today, the men and women of the Philippine National Police also recognize and honor the hard work and sacrifices of our healthcare workers,” PNP chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar said in a statement.
Eleazar, former commander of the PNP-Administrative Support for Covid-19 Task Force (ASCOTF), personally witnessed how the PNP’s own healthcare workers and medical front-liners would tirelessly and unselfishly do their job even beyond their working hours just to attend to the needs of those infected by the coronavirus.
“We in the PNP also honor the ultimate sacrifice of healthcare workers and medical front-liners who died in the line of duty. Truly, your service to the Filipino people in this time of pandemic is clearly a modern-day heroism that is worth emulating,” he said.
Meanwhile, Eleazar said the PNP respects the right of healthcare workers to hold a protest action to air their concerns and grievances.
“We in the PNP also trust their wisdom and expect their own initiative to protect themselves since the observance of the health protocols is part of their line of work. As far as I know, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has already issued an instruction to address their concerns, thus, we are confident that this will be settled soon. We are continuously monitoring this activity,” Eleazar said.
The Alliance of Health Workers is giving the Department of Health (DOH) only until August 31 to release the Covid-19 Special Risk Allowance (SRA), hazard pay, and meal and transportation benefits of medical front-liners.
It warned that at least 2,000 health workers would stage a massive protest if the agency fails to meet the deadline.
Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said a protest would strain the health care system and hospital operations, especially at this time when the country is experiencing a spike in the number of active cases.
Vergeire noted that funds have been released but there is a process that the government follows.
"Kami po ay ginagawa namin ang lahat para mabigyan ng katugunan ang kanilang mga hiling pero sana po antayin lang po natin at huwag po nating gawin itong mga aksyon na kanilang pina-plano (We are doing everything to respond to their concerns. We're just asking for their patience and consideration not to immediately resort to the actions they are planning)," she said.
The DOH has downloaded PHP311 million to its regional offices for the SRA of at least 20,208 medical front-liners.
Vergeire said the department has requested about PHP201 million for the allowances of an additional 17,670 medical workers who are not part of the initial batch.
‘Heroes in our midst’
Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) president Archbishop Romulo Valles said the Filipinos have all the reasons to celebrate the National Heroes Day not only because of the heroes in the past but also the heroics act of medical front-liners.
"In these most trying times, we are also seeing heroes in our midst! This gives us so much hope, comfort and encouragement," Valles said in an interview over Church-run Radio Veritas.
"Today, we do not only look at and remember heroic lives of Filipinos in the past, but we can also look at heroic lives of Filipinos selflessly sacrificing their lives caring for our people during these extremely difficult times,” he added.
He also urged the Filipinos to thank God “for giving us these men and women who offered their lives in most extraordinary ways for the Filipino nation in the many stages of our history.”
“Their lives show that the Filipino heart is capable of truly heroic sacrifice,” he said.
He said the Church continues to pray for all medical and service front-liners who continue to devote their time to serve the country and its people.
“To them, our deep appreciation and gratitude; and because of them we continue thanking our Lord.”
For his part, Manila Archbishop Jose Cardinal Advincula also recognized the heroic acts of Filipinos in the medical sector and other front-liners.
"In this time of pandemic, we also consider the front-liners, especially the medical workers, as heroes. In our fight against the Covid-19 virus, they are real heroes. The whole town is grateful to you," he said.
"We also recognize the heroism of the" new heroes, "those who quietly serve the good of others, such as our overseas Filipino workers and laborers in various industries," he added. ( Christopher Lloyd Caliwan)
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