MANILA, Philippines — The public should remain cautious and responsible even after President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. lifted the COVID-19 state of public health emergency in the country, Senator Jinggoy Estrada said on Saturday.
“Hindi dapat ito maging dahilan para manumbalik tayo sa ating nakagawian. Bagkus, dapat isaisip ng bawat isa sa atin ang new normal — ang panatilihin ang pagiging maingat at responsable sa ating araw-araw na gawain,” said Estrada in a statement on Saturday.
(This should not be a reason for us to go back to our old routine. Rather, each of us must keep in mind the new normal — to be cautious and responsible in our daily activities.)
“We must remain proactive in our efforts to protect public health and safety,” he added.
Estrada also noted that Marcos’ decision to lift the country’s COVID-19 public health emergency indicates that the nation is, indeed, on “its road to recovery.”
Meanwhile, in a separate statement issued on Saturday, Senator Bong Go, chairman of the Senate committee on health and demography, said he respects Marcos’ decision.
Go, however, stressed that health workers should still receive necessary COVID-19-related allowances and benefits despite the issuance of Proclamation No. 297.
“Siguraduhin pa ring maibibigay sa ating mga healthcare workers ang dapat nilang nakuha noon ayon sa batas. Kasama na diyan ang mga hindi pa nabibigyan ng kanilang COVID-19-related allowances, pati ang mga death benefits para sa mga nagbuwis ng buhay sa ating laban kontra COVID-19,” said Go.
(Make sure that our healthcare workers receive the benefits as mandated by law, including those who have not yet received their COVID-19-related allowances, as well as death benefits for those who sacrificed their life in the battle against COVID-19.)
“With or without the state of public health emergency, the government should fulfill its obligations to protect the lives of Filipinos, safeguard their health, and give what is due to them, especially to our medical frontliners,” he added.
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