MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte’s remark, saying that health workers are lucky to die for the country in the middle of the coronavirus disease pandemic, did not sit well with Senator Risa Hontiveros.
In a social media post on Tuesday, Hontiveros blasted the President’s words during his public address late Monday night, supposedly honoring the heroism shown by the country’s gallant doctors, nurses and other medical staff who died in the line of duty.
“Hindi po ‘swerte’ ang mga health workers na namatay dahil sa COVID-19 (Health workers who died due to COVID-19 are not lucky). Our health workers should not have been dying in the first place if they had been given ample PPEs (personal protective equipment) & access to testing,” she said.
“Ngayong may (Now that you [Duterte] have) special powers and funds, no more excuses,” the senator further said.
As of Sunday, 12 Filipino doctors have already died fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the Philippine Medical Association.
Dr. Oscar Tinio, chair of the association’s commission on legislation, also estimates that more than five percent of the country’s health workers are currently on quarantine after exposure to patients.
Duterte’s address to the nation came as the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in Luzon, which restricted more than 50 million Filipinos in their homes, reaches its halfway point. The ECQ is set to end at midnight on April 13.
“May mga doktor na, nurses, attendants, namatay. Sila ‘yung nasawi ang buhay para lang makatulong sa kapwa. Napakasuwerte nila. Namatay sila para sa bayan (There are doctors, nurses, and attendants who died. They died while helping other people. They are very lucky. They died for the country),” he said in a televised message.
“It would be an honor to die for your country, I assure you,” Duterte added.
Some hospitals have reported shortage in supply of PPEs as they attend to patients who have or are suspected to have contracted the illness. The Department of Health assured it is continuously distributing PPEs to these hospitals to meet the increased demand.