This city joined the nation’s celebration of the 123rd Independence Day on Saturday by highlighting the significant contribution of health workers and other front-liners considered as “modern-day heroes” in the fight against an unseen enemy.
“Sila na walang kapagurang ginagampanan ang kanilang tungkulin araw-araw para sa ating mga kababayan, sa kabila ng panganib na dala ng Covid-19 (They tirelessly perform their duty every day for our countrymen, despite the dangers posed by the coronavirus disease 2019),” said Mayor Carmelo Lazatin Jr., who led the city’s celebration.
This year’s Independence Day celebration carries the theme “Kalayaan 2021: Diwa sa Pagkakaisa at Paghilom ng Bayan” as the whole nation moves forward despite the challenges brought by the pandemic.
During the city government’s “Pagwawagayway ng Watawat at Pag-aalay ng Bulaklak” ceremonies at the Museo ng Kasaysayang Panlipunan ng Pilipinas, Lazatin commended the City Hall officials for going above and beyond their call of duty in serving the Angelenos during the pandemic.
He gave plaques of recognition to the city and health officials, as well as City Hall employees in recognition of their efforts in the fight against the virus.
Meanwhile, the city government has been pushing for programs that would secure the health, security, and welfare of these health workers and front-liners.
Last June 8, Lazatin also ordered the Local Finance Committee and Human Resources and Management Office (HMRO) to adopt the salary increase for Nurse II position released by Malacañang, starting January 2022.
Earlier in January, 111 nurses at the Rafael Lazatin Medical Memorial Center with 19 permanent, four casual, and 88 contract of service (COS) status, began receiving their PHP12,000 salary increase, bringing their monthly pay to PHP32,000.
In August 2020, the city government allocated PHP10 million for the immediate release of the Special Risk Allowance (SRA) for city health workers handling Covid-19 patients.
The health workers received their SRA last October, amounting to 50 percent of their monthly salary.
They were also afforded free lodging, which allowed them to isolate themselves while performing their duties. (PNA)
