Eleven health workers from Zamboanga Peninsula were sent to Metro Manila Sunday morning to augment the need of the country’s health sector in battling the COVID-19 pandemic.
The medical team gathered at the Zamboanga International Airport’s Heroes Lounge, an aptly titled setting, as they were honored by DOH-9 Regional Director Dr Joshua Brillantes and Zamboanga Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar before their departure for the National Capital Region (NCR).
The health group was composed of six nurses, three midwives, and three medical technologists from the provinces and cities in the Zamboanga Peninsula region.
They were hired under the DOH’s emergency hiring for deployment to DOH-retained hospitals at the NCR and its surrounding environs.
“We are happy there are still professionals who volunteered, who have the courage and bravery to face the war against COVID-19,” said Dr. Brillantes.
"We in region 9 are sending you off on a very special mission. You are sent on a mission and you will accomplish the mission with God’s grace," said Mayor Climaco.
“Each one of us has taken our oath and with that oath we will serve not only the entire country but the entire world. Today the Philippines, Tomorrow the world,” said a volunteer who was in high spirits as she readied herself to face the battle ahead.