YESTERDAY the nation commemorated heroes who fought for genuine freedom and independence, and also paid tribute to modern-day heroes who continue to serve the people despite the anemic pandemic response of the Duterte administration to the worsening health and economic crisis in our country.
Yes, our pandemic frontline workers are heroes who continue to fight and dedicate their lives in serving the people.
The country tallied record high numbers of new COVID-19 cases last weekend. Positivity rates are on the rise and death tolls also remain in high numbers. The healthcare system faces the risk of collapse as calls grow for increased hospital capacity, adequate compensation for healthcare workers and enough aid to the people most affected by the heightened lockdowns. What’s needed is a more scientific and medical response to the pandemic and our wobbly public healthcare system instead of never-ending militarist lockdowns. The virus that causes COVID-19 and its variants are not restricted to checkpoints.
Genuine support for our frontline workers would mean providing substantial support, adequate benefits and salaries and enough facilities for their dedication and sacrifice in fighting this pandemic. Give our frontline workers in health, education and economic workers a higher priority in our national budget. The administration should stop walking on clouds and face the reality that the pandemic is far from over and start implementing adequate programs and policies that address the worsening health, economic and education crisis.
Let us also pay tribute to our hardworking education frontliners who have been carrying the burden of ensuring education continuity for our youth despite the feeble support from the administration.
We honor those who dedicated and continue to dedicate their lives for social justice and genuine change.
