MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte has conferred the Order of Lapu-Lapu on Philippine General Hospital (PGH) health workers who led the evacuation of patients and newborn babies as fire hit the facility last month.
Among the health workers who received the Order of Lapu-Lapu were Kathrina Bianca C. Macababbad, Esmeralda E. Ninto, Phoebe Rose C. Malabanan, and Jomar T. Mallari, nurses of PGH’s neonatal intensive care unit (Nicu), official photos from Malacañang released Thursday showed.
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has his photo taken with the Order of Lapu-Lapu awardees following a ceremony at the Malacañang Golf (Malago) Clubhouse in Malacañang Park, Manila on June 2, 2021. With them are PGH Director Dr. Gerardo D. Legaspi and Senator Christopher Lawrence. Apart from the conferment, Senator Christopher Lawrence Go filed Senate Resolution No. 733 on May 24, 2021 to honor the heroism and bravery of the PGH staff and personnel. KING RODRIGUEZ/ PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO
At least 16 newborn babies were said to have been transferred from PGH’s Nicu to other hospitals in Manila City following the fire.
READ: Infants bundled off; no one hurt in PGH fire
No individual was reported hurt in the incident.
Other PGH staff who received the award were nurse Quintin P. Bagay Jr.; 3rd-year PGH resident Dr. Alexandra P. Lee; 2nd-year PGH resident Dr. Earle Ceo D. Abrenica; and safety officers Joel L. Santiago and Ramil Ranoa.
PGH Director Gerardo Legaspi was also present at the ceremony held at Malacañang on Wednesday, June 2.
The Order of Lapu-Lapu is conferred upon those who accomplished extraordinary acts of service and exceptional contributions to the country.