Ilocos Norte pays tribute to Filipino nurse who died in US due to COVID-19

One month after her death on Jan. 22, Amelia Agbicay Baclig, or “Mama Amy” to her family, colleagues, and patients, was remembered and honored in Ilocos Norte. Baclig, who was an Ilocano nurse based in the US, died due to complications from COVID-19. (PHOTO SCREEN GRABBED FROM CBS LOS ANGELES)

BATAC CITY –– Residents of Ilocos Norte paid tribute to a nurse from this province who died in Los Angeles, California last month due to complications from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

Amelia Agbigay Baclig, 63, who hailed from this city, died on Jan. 22 after she tested positive for COVID-19 last Dec. 12, 2020, US television network CBS Los Angeles reported.

“One local woman (Baclig) dedicated her life to helping others until COVID-19 took hers,” the report said.

Baclig, who was a night-shift nurse for 30 years at the Queen of the Valley Hospital in West Covina, California, had been known by her colleagues as “Mama Amy” and was “beloved” by her workmates for her dedication and selflessness to duty, according to the report.

Before moving to the US when she was 27, Baclig resided in Barangay Nalupta here, while her husband was a resident of Barangay Ricarte, said Angelica Yumul, Batac’s community affairs officer.

Tributes from Ilocos Norte residents have poured in on social media after Gov. Matthew Marcos-Manotoc took to Facebook to recognize Baclig for her service even during the pandemic.

“I’d like to take time to recognize Mama Amy and send our condolences to the Baclig family who hails from the City of Batac,” Manotoc said.

The city council of Batac is also planning to pass a resolution by next week to formally recognize Baclig’s contributions to the healthcare sector. INQ

LZB