The Muntinlupa City government is mourning the death of Dr. Maria Teresa Tuliao, former chief of the City Health Office (CHO), who led the city’s fight against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Tuliao passed away on April 27, the city government announced on social media. She was 57.
“Amid the challenges she faced, Dr. Tet showed perseverance as one of those who led the city’s fight against COVID-19,” according to the city government.
Mayor Jaime Fresnedi said Tuliao dedicated her life to public service especially when the COVID-19 pandemic started last year.
Atty. Raul Corro, the City Council’s majority floor leader, said Tuliao served in the Muntinlupa local government for 31 years starting in 1990.
Tuliao, he said, had undergone several chemotherapy sessions and stepped down from her post as CHO chief last March.
“Since the pandemic started in March 2020, Dr. Tet showed no signs of being tired from fulfilling her duty. She was not only diligent but she was a great chief of the City Health Office,” wrote Corro in Filipino.
He added, “This is the message of Dr. Tet’s passing for all of us: If she, as a doctor and chief of the City Health Office, could die because of her comorbidity and due to COVID-19, all of us can also die anytime if we will not be careful.”
Last April 6, Al Miñoza, the head of the Muntinlupa City Treasurer’s Office, passed away.
The Muntinlupa City Council will pass resolutions next week to honor Tuliao and Miñoza for their works.
Muntinlupa Rep. Ruffy Biazon also paid tribute to Tuliao, writing, “When a person dedicates and lives her life for the wellbeing and safety of others, even if it means putting her own life and wellbeing on the line, she deserves to be called a hero.”
“Dra. Tet Reyes-Tuliao is one such hero. As the City Health Officer of Muntinlupa City, she faced head on the challenge of ensuring that Muntinlupeños get through the COVID19 Pandemic, even though she was undergoing a battle with another illness,” he said.
He added, “She fought until she can, so that others may live. Now she is at rest, having fulfilled her duty as a public officer, her oath as a physician, and a servant of God.”
According to her LinkedIn account, Tuliao finished her Bachelor of Science in Zoology/Animal Biology at the University of Santo Tomas and took her Doctor of Medicine at the University of Perpetual Help System.
She also held a Master in Business Management degree from St. Francis of Assisi College Systems and Master in Public Administration-Health Emergency and Disaster Management from Bicol University.