Frontliners Ang Bida Party-list nominee Celine Pialago has promised to push for the doubling of frontliners' hazard pay if and when she wins a seat in the House of Representatives in the upcoming May polls.

Pialago gave this pledge to the party-list's supporters during a campaign rally in Manila on Saturday, Feb. 19.

"Aming isusulong ang pagdoble sa hazard pay ng lahat ng frontliners. Lahat po, medical and non-medical field frontliners, wala pong maiiwan (We will pursue the doubling of hazard pay for all frontliners. Everyone from medical to non-medical field frontliners, nobody will be left behind),” said the former Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) assistant secretary and spokesperson.

The term "frontliner" became commonly used after the onset of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. Although it was initially a tag given to doctors and nurses, it's meaning has since been expanded to police, military, delivery riders, and even journalists.

“Sa pandemyang ito po, sila ang ating mga kawal na lumalaban sa COVID-19. Marapat lamang ho na ating tumbasan ang kanilang mga paghihirap at sakripisyo nang mas mataas na hazard pay po. Buhay po ang itinataya nila para masigurong tayo ay ligtas (They are our soldiers in the fight against COVID-19. It's only right that we repay their hardships and sacrifices with higher hazard pay. They put their lives on the line to ensure our safety)," Pialago said.

According to the aspiring congresswoman, the Frontliners ang Bida Party-list will also work hard to get frontliners additional benefits such as medical, dental, and life insurance. She also vowed to make the allowances of frontliners tax-free.

“Atin din pong isusulong ang matanggal na ang ‘no work, no pay’ sa ating mga frontliner na tunay nating mga bayani (We will also pursue the removal of the 'no work, no pay' rule on our frontliners, who are truly our heroes)," she further said.

While she was still with the MMDA, Pialago worked on the ground and saw the sacrifices and hardships of frontliners.

She also accompanied her non-government organization (NGO) to far-flung areas in the country in the conduct of its pandemic relief operations.

Pialago, who was previously identified with another party-list, shared that she was able to talk to frontliners who were assigned at these areas. One of their main complaints, she said, was the low hazard pay that they receive while working amid the pandemic.