FOURTH District Rep. Christopher de Venecia said the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act passed by Congress and signed into law by President Rodrigo Duterte is a big boon to the whole nation at this time when the world is on the edge because of the onslaught of the 2019 coronavirus (COVID-19).

De Venecia, who actively participated in the deliberation of the proposed Act during a special session last week in the House of Representatives, said that in this very difficult and critical time, every second count and therefore there is a pressing need to immediately respond to the challenges posed by the virus that had already gone berserk in many parts of the world.

The Act gave special powers to President Rodrigo Duterte to be able to act decisively in order to contain and defeat COVID-19 by both mobilizing government and private sectors in implementing broad measures to fight the virus and ensure the safety of all Filipinos.

De Venecia said he’s is happy that he was able to communicate with other members of the House, especially with the sponsor of the bill on the need to grant substantial hazard pay to frontline workers fighting COVID-19, especially to those in charge of taking care of the sick in the various hospitals.

Noting that five to six doctors already died while giving medical help to COVID-19 patients or those under investigation and monitoring, De Venecia stressed the need to give lifetime benefits to the families of the unsung heroes who lost their lives fighting the virus, adopting the idea earlier proposed on social media by PUNCH publisher-Editor Ermin Garcia Jr.

De Venecia also brought up the need to ensure adequate personal protective equipment (PPE) and other preventive equipment not only to medical frontliners but also to the police and military personnel as well and other local frontliners who are enforcing the Enhanced Community Quarantine in their own areas.

At the same time, De Venecia sought stronger mental health services for all Filipinos amid the fear sown by COVID-19 which at this time already afflicted more than 600 Filipinos with more than 50 already dead.

Meanwhile, De Venecia’s office continues to distribute face masks, alcohol and collapsible tents to frontliners in the Fourth District as his own modest way of appreciating and recognizing their sacrifices in this time of crisis when the entire Luzon is on Enhanced Community Quarantine. (Leonardo Micua)

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