MANILA, Philippines — On the anniversary of the declaration of a Luzon-wide lockdown, Vice President Leni Robredo reminded the public that the country has much to thank frontliners for leading the way during the COVID-19 pandemic, despite the imminent danger posed by the disease.
In a Facebook post on Monday, Robredo said that the Filipino people owe so much to health workers like nurses, doctors, hospital staffers, and other emergency responders who risked their lives just to help the country move past the health crisis.
The coronavirus took its toll among nurses, doctors, police officers, soldiers and other frontliners, who supported the country’s fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
“A year into lockdown and we’ve weathered through so much: thousands of deaths and cases, millions of jobs and chances lost, many moments of confusion, uncertainty, and fears. Amid all these, we’ve counted on frontliners to lead us forward,” Robredo said.
“Over the past year, we have lost hundreds of them in this fight. Grateful that their community carries on despite the sacrifices it calls for—so that we can reach the safer, healthier nation we aspire for,” Robredo added.
Robredo noted that the frontliners are the ones closest to the dangers of COVID-19 every day, and their courage and bravery “reverberate across hospitals and health centers, in testing centers, in barangay clinics and down at the communities.”
Exactly a year ago, Luzon, Metro Manila, and other areas in the country were placed on an enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) due to rising COVID-19 cases. The stringent phase of the lockdown lasted until June 2020, although Metro Manila reverted to a modified ECQ last August.
Since then, most areas in the country are under the less restrictive general community quarantine.
The Vice President also recalled the efforts of local government units to curb the viruses.
“Thankful, too, to our LGUs for showing us what can be done in unprecedented times—swift delivery of relief and services, support for medical workers, tech-based approaches for contact tracing and information drive, and other efforts to uplift the community,” she explained.
“We also thank our soldiers and police officers who stay true to their calling, and whose help has been invaluable in delivering assistance to communities, and all Filipino workers who provide us essential services despite the dangers,” she added.
Recently, social media has been abuzz with discussions about flashbacks to the strict lockdown periods, as they are wary of possible lockdowns due to a surge of COVID-19 cases.
The national government has yet to announce a change in quarantine protocols, although the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority has enforced a curfew from 10:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. starting Monday, to fight off the surge in the National Capital Region.
As of Monday, the Department of Health tallied 5,404 new COVID-19 infections — the highest numbers for 2021 and highest since August 26, 2020, when the country also experienced a surge in cases.
All in all, the Philippines now has 626,893 confirmed cases, 560,577 of these recoveries and 12,837 deaths.
Robredo, for her part, assured that she and the Office of the Vice President would be present to support the frontliners’ continuous efforts — especially since working on a seemingly unending pandemic is tiresome.
“Sa inyong lahat: Maraming, maraming salamat sa serbisyo at sakripisyo. Isang taon na, at alam kong nakakapagod. Alam kong nakakaubos magbigay ng sarili, lalo na’t matindi pa rin ang ating laban. Pero sa inyong pagpupursige kami humuhugot ng lakas,” Robredo said.
(To all of you, thank you very, very much for your service and sacrifices. It’s been a year, and I know it’s tiresome. I know it is draining to offer your services especially as the fight has been tough. But it is through your efforts that we get strength to fight the crisis.)
“Amid the many problems we still have to solve, as we move forward as a nation, we find hope in you. I and the OVP are committed to continue supporting you. Sama-sama tayo sa pagsulong sa pangarap na mapagtagumpayan ang laban na ito,” she added.
(We would be together in pushing for the dream to finally win over this pandemic.)