The House Defeat COVID-19 Adhoc Committee has recommended the plenary adoption of a resolution expressing the Lower Chamber’s “highest appreciation and profound gratitude” to all Filipino healthcare workers and frontliners who "courageously and unselfishly render their services" to help the government and the global community’s fight against COVID-19.
Under House Committee Report No. 412, House Majority and Leyte 1st District Rep. Martin Romualdez, co-chairperson of the panel, pushed for the adoption of House Resolution No. 1132, which is a consolidation of seven resolutions.
Romualdez said the sacrifice, bravery, commitment, and selfless devotion of all the country’s frontliners, especially the medical workers should not be taken for granted.
“They have remained committed to their mandate. They are our heroes for spearheading the fight against the COVID-19,” he said, seeking the plenary adoption of HR No. 1132.
Under the resolution, the House of Representatives paid tribute to the countless and nameless brave and selfless individuals who have valiantly responded to the call of duty to save lives and spare the nation from the devastation of COVID-19.
“Doctors, nurses, medical technologists, barangay health workers, and allowed health professionals and workers serving in private and public hospitals and facilities, as well as in communities, within and outside of the Philippines, have placed their own lives in peril,” read the two-page resolution.
“Members of the military, police force; national and local government frontline officials and employees; media personnel; civil society organizations; factory workers; garbage collectors, as well as those manning the airports, groceries, banks, food establishments, and delivery services, among other essential service providers, courageously stand in the frontlines of the county’s war against COVID-19,” it adds.
On March 8, 2020, President Duterte issued Proclamation No. 922 declaring a state of public health emergency throughout the country due to the coronavirus disease outbreak. Eight days after such declaration , the Chief Executive issued Proclamation No. 929, declaring a state of calamity all over the Philippines, imposing enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in the entire island of Luzon.
HR 1132 noted that pursuant to Republic Act No. 11469 or the Bayanihan to Heal As One Act, Duterte subsequently imposed ECQ measures in high risk areas and general community quarantine areas (GCQ) measures in low-risk and medium-risk areas in the Visayas and MIndanao islands upon the recommendation of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Disease (IATF-EID).
“The House of Representatives recognizes the heroism of those who have sacrificed their lives to save the sick and afflicted, watched over the populace, and provided essential services to the people above and beyond the call of duty,” according to HR 1132.
Under the resolution, the Lower Chamber also welcomed the issuance of Proclamation No. 976, declaring the year 2020 as the “Year of Filipino Health Workers” and the World Health Organization’s declaration of 2020 as the "International Year of the Nurse and Midwife” in recognition of their vital role in achieving sustainable development goals and universal health care.
Aside from Romualdez, among the principal sponsors of the resolution are House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano, and DCC Health Cluster co-chairpersons, Quezon 4th District Rep. Angelina Tan, and Iloilo 1st District Rep. Janette Garin.