The late former Social Welfare secretary Corazon Soliman
MANILA, Philippines — Senators on Wednesday paid tribute to the late former Social Welfare and Development secretary Corazon “Dinky” Juliano-Soliman for her “lifelong crusade” to uplift the life of the poor and the most vulnerable sectors of society.
Senators adopted Senate Resolution No. 913, which seeks to honor Soliman for her “invaluable contributions to the field of social work and the country as a distinguished public servant.”
Soliman died on Sunday at the age of 68.
READ: Dinky Soliman, former Social Welfare secretary and civil society leader, dies
“Sec. Dinky left nothing materially but so much in the respectful affection of all who worked, dreamed and fought with her causes and advocacies. Her passing ends a chapter in the country’s civil society sector,” the resolution read.
“Her untimely death as an exemplary public servant and social worker, the first responder on the ground and the last person to leave the disaster-stricken area, is a great loss to the Filipino people and the nation as well, particularly in this time of crisis and upheaval,” it added.
In sponsoring the resolution, Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon described Soliman as “a small woman with the biggest heart.”
Soliman dedicated her life to social work and activism, Drilon said.
“She was defined by the work she has done for the poor, the vulnerable, women and children, peasants, the urban poor,” he added.
Unsinkable fighter
Senator Francis Pangilinan supported the resolution honoring Soliman as he expressed how his family was “heartbroken” over her passing.
“You were an indefatigable, unsinkable fighter until the very end,” he said.
Senator Risa Hontiveros, meanwhile, lauded Soliman for introducing “high profile poverty alleviation programs” like the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services and the expanded Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).
“Thank you for your light source from the sun and that on dark days such as these, you taught us like sunflowers to source from each other,” Hontiveros said.
“May a thousand of those sunflowers line your way to the great beyond,” she added.