Nograles: We will protect health workers
Published Apr 1, 2020 12:00 am
By Argyll Cyrus Geducos
The national government vowed to protect health workers from harm and discrimination following the recent attacks against some of them as the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues to spread.
Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles (Photo from Karlo Nograles / Facebook page / MANILA BULLETIN)
In a virtual presser, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles lamented the recent reports of violent attacks against health workers in Cebu and Sultan Kudarat.
"Despite all the support and love our country has shown our health workers, it is unfortunate that we have received reports that these frontliners have come under attack," he said Wednesday.
To address this, Nograles said Philippine National Police (PNP) chief General Archie Gamboa has directed all local police units to provide every possible assistance and security to medical staff and health workers.
"Threatening the safety of our health workers in the midst of this crisis is unacceptable, and the PNP is committed to apply the full might of the law against those who dare to harm our health workers," he said.
" will do whatever it takes to protect them (health workers) from crime, violence, and any form of oppression and discrimination. Hindi po tayo papayag na galawin ang ating mga bayani. (We will not allow anybody to harm our heroes)," he added.
"For the added peace of mind of our health workers, PNP personnel manning Quarantine Control Stations are under instructions to assist them and escort them to their assigned hospitals," he continued.
According to Nograles, the country owes a huge debt to health workers who serve as not just frontliners but also the last line of defense in the war against COVID-19.
"Malaki po ang utang ng loob natin sa kanila. (We owe them a lot). They say not all heroes wear capes. This is true; in our country and all over the world, they wear white. This is why one of our priorities is to care for all those who care for us," he said.
Among the assistance extended by the government to help health workers was to provide them transportation following the suspension of mass transport systems while Luzon is under an enhanced community quarantine.
"The government has provided 16 daily bus routes around Metro Manila and its suburbs to shuttle health workers to and from their duty stations," Nograles said.
"Aside from these, the DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways) has deployed 402 vehicles nationwide to serve as transportation services for our frontliners and health workers," he added.
President Duterte himself thanked frontliners, particularly health workers for their efforts and sacrifices in the country's fight against COVID-19.
In his taped public address aired late Monday, Duterte thanked the frontliners, recognizing that their hard work was beyond any amount.
"I give my sincerest gratitude to all those who are fighting in the frontlines--our doctors, nurses, allied health professionals, police, soldiers, civil servants, and everyone performing essential services in the private sector, I assure you that your efforts will be rewarded," he said.
"Your heroism will not be forgotten. Saludo kami sa inyo. (We salute you)," he added.
Duterte likewise lauded the health workers who perished due to COVID-19.
"May mga doktor, nurses, attendants na namatay. Sila yung nasawi ang buhay para lang makatulong sa kapwa (There are doctors, nurses, attendants who died already. They are the ones who lost their lives in order to help others)," he said.
"Napakaswerte nila, namatay sila para sa bayan. Yun ang dapat na rason kung bakit tayo mamatay. (They are lucky because they died for the country. That should be the reason why we will die)," he added.
Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles (Photo from Karlo Nograles / Facebook page / MANILA BULLETIN)
In a virtual presser, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles lamented the recent reports of violent attacks against health workers in Cebu and Sultan Kudarat.
"Despite all the support and love our country has shown our health workers, it is unfortunate that we have received reports that these frontliners have come under attack," he said Wednesday.
To address this, Nograles said Philippine National Police (PNP) chief General Archie Gamboa has directed all local police units to provide every possible assistance and security to medical staff and health workers.
"Threatening the safety of our health workers in the midst of this crisis is unacceptable, and the PNP is committed to apply the full might of the law against those who dare to harm our health workers," he said.
" will do whatever it takes to protect them (health workers) from crime, violence, and any form of oppression and discrimination. Hindi po tayo papayag na galawin ang ating mga bayani. (We will not allow anybody to harm our heroes)," he added.
"For the added peace of mind of our health workers, PNP personnel manning Quarantine Control Stations are under instructions to assist them and escort them to their assigned hospitals," he continued.
According to Nograles, the country owes a huge debt to health workers who serve as not just frontliners but also the last line of defense in the war against COVID-19.
"Malaki po ang utang ng loob natin sa kanila. (We owe them a lot). They say not all heroes wear capes. This is true; in our country and all over the world, they wear white. This is why one of our priorities is to care for all those who care for us," he said.
Among the assistance extended by the government to help health workers was to provide them transportation following the suspension of mass transport systems while Luzon is under an enhanced community quarantine.
"The government has provided 16 daily bus routes around Metro Manila and its suburbs to shuttle health workers to and from their duty stations," Nograles said.
"Aside from these, the DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways) has deployed 402 vehicles nationwide to serve as transportation services for our frontliners and health workers," he added.
President Duterte himself thanked frontliners, particularly health workers for their efforts and sacrifices in the country's fight against COVID-19.
In his taped public address aired late Monday, Duterte thanked the frontliners, recognizing that their hard work was beyond any amount.
"I give my sincerest gratitude to all those who are fighting in the frontlines--our doctors, nurses, allied health professionals, police, soldiers, civil servants, and everyone performing essential services in the private sector, I assure you that your efforts will be rewarded," he said.
"Your heroism will not be forgotten. Saludo kami sa inyo. (We salute you)," he added.
Duterte likewise lauded the health workers who perished due to COVID-19.
"May mga doktor, nurses, attendants na namatay. Sila yung nasawi ang buhay para lang makatulong sa kapwa (There are doctors, nurses, attendants who died already. They are the ones who lost their lives in order to help others)," he said.
"Napakaswerte nila, namatay sila para sa bayan. Yun ang dapat na rason kung bakit tayo mamatay. (They are lucky because they died for the country. That should be the reason why we will die)," he added.