By Argyll Geducos
President Duterte has expressed his gratitude to the frontliners, particularly health workers, for their efforts and sacrifices amid the COVID-19 pandemic in the country.
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte (ALBERT ALCAIN/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO)
In his taped public address aired late Monday night, Duterte thanked the frontliners, recognizing that their hard work was beyond any amount.
"I give my sincerest gratitude to all those who are fighting in the frontlines--our doctors, nurses, allied health professionals, police, soldiers, civil servants, and everyone performing essential services in the private sector, I assure you that your efforts will be rewarded," he said.
"Your heroism will not be forgotten. Saludo kami sa inyo (We salute you)."
Duterte likewise lauded the health workers who perished of COVID-19.
"May mga doktor, nurses, attendants na namatay. Sila yung nasawi ang buhay para lang makatulong sa kapwa," he said. (There are doctors, nurses, attendants who died. They are the ones who lost their lives in order to help others.)
"Napakaswerte nila, namatay sila para sa bayan. 'Yun ang dapat na rason kung bakit tayo mamatay," he added. (They are lucky because they died for the country. That should be the reason for why we die.)
The President, meanwhile, assured health workers that the government will give them what they need as they fight the threat of COVID-19 in the country.
"We are marshaling and deploying the resources of the government to provide our frontline health workers with everything they require so they can save as many lives as possible," Duterte said.
"We are now procuring medical supplies, devices, and personal protective equipment (PPEs). About one million medical protective items are being acquired right now, with the government and the private sector to purchase or produce the necessary quantities."
In his address on March 24, President Duterte hailed health workers as heroes and lamented the death of their colleagues who passed away due to COVID-19. He likewise thanked other frontliners and volunteers for their role in the fight against the pandemic.
The Department of Health has reported 1,546 confirmed cases of COVID-19 as of Monday afternoon.
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