President Rodrigo Duterte thanked the nation’s brave health workers on the frontlines of the fight against the coronavirus pandemic.
In his nation’s address on Tuesday, the president expressed his gratitude to the COVID-19 frontliners who are risking their lives to stop the spread of the disease in the country.
“Let me reiterate my sincerest gratitude to all our courageous frontliners in this war, especially our healthcare workers — our doctors, nurses, medical technologists and other allied health professionals,” he said.
He added, “Maraming maraming salamat. Asahan niyo ang suporta ng inyong gobyerno.”
The president also expressed his grief over the doctors who died of the coronavirus while treating patients.
“I am saddened by the news that the virus has claimed the lives of our doctors along the way.”
Duterte, likewise, hailed the frontliners as heroes.
“Lahat po sila ay bayani and not only that, talagang bumilib ako,” he said.
“Bihira akong sumasaludo ng tao pero ‘pag mga doktor natin, mga health workers na nadisgrasya, talagang saludo ako sa inyo. Wala na kayo dito sa mundong ito pero ganun na lang ang pagtingin ko sa inyo,” he added.
Duterte recently signed the Bayanihan to Heal As One bill that allows the executive to “move, decide and act freely for the best interest of the Filipino people during this health crisis.”
Under the new law, private and public healthcare workers who were infected with the virus in line of duty will be given P100,000 compensation, while families of healthcare workers who died due to the virus will receive P1 million.
Duterte earlier issued an administrative order granting a COVID-19 hazard pay of P500 a day to government employees who are physically reporting for work starting March 17.
