On Day of Valor, solons commend COVID-19 frontliners

MANILA, Philippines — The country’s “warriors” during the coronavirus pandemic.

That was how some lawmakers described frontliners on Thursday as the country celebrates Araw ng Kagitingan.

Deputy Speaker and Lone Representative of Antique Loren Legarda said that as the country remembers the bravery of our soldiers who fought in Bataan during World War II, the courage of frontliners in fighting the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) should also not be forgotten.

Legarda said that these frontliners include doctors, nurses, and all health workers who take care of patients; supermarket staff, drivers and delivery staff, farmers, and fisherfolks who make sure there are basic essentials; government employees who go house-to-house to provide assistance; and policemen and our policewomen who man checkpoints during the quarantine period.

“Let us also continue to support those who are still facing its dangers with unwavering valor. To our modern-day heroes and heroines, we salute you,” Legarda said in a statement.

Two party-list lawmakers, meanwhile, called for posthumous honors for COVID-19 frontliners who died during the pandemic.

AKO BICOL Rep. Alfredo Garbin Jr. said healthcare frontliners deserve to be laid to rest at the Libingan ng Mga Bayani for their “supreme sacrifice for love of country, loyalty to the people, and devotion to their profession.”

“Our motion will propose that every heroic Filipino health professional who dies in the line of duty against COVID-19 be buried with state honors at the Libingan ng Mga Bayani,” Garbin said.

Meanwhile, BHW Rep. Angelica Natasha Co called on the Committee on Honors to recommend to President Rodrigo Duterte an executive order amending the Honors Code of the Philippines.

In amending the Honors Code, a new honor named Gawad Juan Flavier will be established “to honor every Filipino health professional who lays down his or her life for their patients and for the communities they serve.”

The honor is named after Dr. Juan Flavier, a former secretary of health and senator.

“We further propose that the Gawad Juan Flavier shall have a stature equal to the Order of National Scientists and Order of National Artists, with the same gratuities and privileges,” Co said.