Senator Bong Go co-sponsored Senate Resolution No. 320 recognizing and commending Filipino-British nurse May Richell A. Cestina-Parsons for receiving the prestigious George Cross Award from the United Kingdom government.
Noting that Filipino healthcare workers have served on the frontlines against the COVID-19 pandemic for more than two years not just in the Philippines but all over the world, Go recognized the contributions of Parsons in his co-sponsorship speech.
The legislator said she “not only dedicated her life every day to help the fight against COVID-19 but is also acknowledged to be the first person to administer the first clinically-approved COVID-19 vaccine.”
As the Chairperson of the Committee on Health and Demography, the lawmaker then expressed his respect for Parsons for her “undying commitment to saving lives and making a difference in the world through medical service”.
Hindi masusuklian ang iyong sakripisyo at pagseserbisyo sa kapwa.”
“Your valiant contribution and dedication in service of others are truly worth recognizing. Hindi masusuklian ang iyong sakripisyo at pagseserbisyo sa kapwa,” the senator added.
On July 12, Parsons was one of the United Kingdom’s National Health Service representatives to accept the George Cross award at a ceremony in Windsor Castle.
She was joined by Amanda Pritchard, the Chief Executive of the NHS during the ceremony.
In December 2020, Parsons took the honor of being the first nurse in the world to administer the then newly developed COVID-19 vaccine.
According to the Honours System of the United Kingdom, the George Cross is the most prestigious award that can be bestowed by the British government, and it is presented in recognition of “actions by civilians and military personnel not in the face of the enemy.”
“The government must also do its best to address the concerns of migrant workers especially medical frontliners as well as their families in the country.”
Meanwhile, aside from just recognizing their sacrifices, Go said that the government must also do its best to address the concerns of migrant workers especially medical frontliners as well as their families in the country.
“That is why we pushed for the establishment of the Department of Migrant Workers, and the OFW hospital, and pushed for other initiatives for our OFWs,” he stressed.
Go then urged the government to assure these Filipinos that while they are working hard abroad for the future of their children, it is also doing its part to take care of their families at home.
“Again, congratulations Nurse May. Tunay na ang mga Pilipino ay may dugo para mag-serbisyo sa kapwa tao saan mang sulok ng mundo. Saludo kami sa iyo, Nurse May,” he concluded.
