Araw ng Kagitingan: Velasco praises health workers’ ‘bravery, courage’

Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Jay Velasco. Photo from the Office of Cong. Velasco

MANILA, Philippines — As the nation commemorates Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor) on Friday, Speaker Lord Allan Velasco honored the sacrifices of the country’s health workers, who put their lives on the line everyday amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Velasco extolled doctors, nurses, and others in various medical institutions across the country for their “bravery and courage” which mirrors that of the war veterans during World War II.

“Today, we see the bravery and courage of our war veterans among our health care workers who are putting their lives on the line to help and save our countrymen from the ongoing COVID-19 crisis,” he said in a statement.

The Speaker also encouraged the public to pay tribute, show gratitude, and respect frontline healthcare workers by staying home and obeying health and safety rules to avoid contracting the new coronavirus disease. Further, he underscored the need for the government to recognize their efforts by providing them the assistance and benefits they so deserve.

“To honor them and reciprocate their hard work and dedication, let us not add to their burdens by staying healthy and strictly observing established health and safety protocols,” Velasco said.

“It is also important that the government ensure the timely release of their essential pay and benefits due them, reflecting the health hazards and other challenges they confront every single day from working during this pandemic,” he added.

Velasco said “our courageous frontliners” are the country’s “modern-day heroes in this battle against the coronavirus.”

KGA