On International Women’s Day, Senator Kiko Pangilinan celebrated the invaluable contributions in the pandemic response of Vice President Leni Robredo and all Filipino women.
“Kakaiba ang nakaraang taon, at ngayong ginugunita natin ang International Women’s Day, tinatanghal at pinasasalamatan din natin ang mga kababaihan sa kanilang walang-katumbas na kaloob sa gitna ng walang-katumbas na global health emergency (The past year is unlike any other, and as we commemorate International Women’s Day, we would also like to celebrate and thank all women for their invaluable contributions in the face of this unprecedented global health emergency),” Pangilinan said.
The veteran legislator cited women doctors, nurses, and other personnel who, from Day 1, have been tirelessly serving in the frontlines as our first line of defense against COVID here and abroad.
“Hanggang ngayon, mag-iisang taon na simula ng lockdown, marami sa kanila ang lingguhang wala sa piling ng pamilya, kulang sa tulog, pwedeng mahawa pero pinangangatawan ang sinumpaang tungkulin (Until now, almost a year into the lockdown, many of them still have to spend weeks away from family, lacking in sleep, always in danger of catching the virus themselves, yet stayed firm in their commitment to serve),” the seasoned lawmaker stressed.
“I want to celebrate May Parsons, the Filipina nurse in the UK’s National Health Service who administered the first vaccine there in December.”
“I want to celebrate May Parsons, the Filipina nurse in the UK’s National Health Service who administered the first vaccine there in December. Salamat sa iyong serbisyo, you make all of us Filipinos proud,” the senator added.
He also commended Filipino women public servants who creatively implemented pandemic-response measures that are inclusive and collaborative, fully utilizing the strength of community-based solutions in addressing both the health and economic crisis.
“Si VP Leni, simula’t simula pa, nag-deliver ng mga PPE, alcohol, face masks, at face shields sa ating mga health workers. Gumawa ng sistema para mahatid-sundo ang mga doktor, nurse, med-tech, at iba pang hospital staff sa kanilang pinagtatrabahuhan. Ang galing (From the beginning, VP Leni delivered PPEs, alcohol, face masks, and face shields to our health workers. She created a system to bring to and from their workplaces doctors, nurses, medical technicians, and other hospital staff. Amazing),” Pangilinan said.
He also thanked women teachers who dauntlessly took on the challenge of distance learning, and have continued to teach children despite the challenges of new technology, inconsistent internet connection, and shortage in devices.
Pangilinan also took note of the contribution of women economic frontline workers like women farmers who relentlessly continued farming despite the limitations and losses, ensuring that Filipinos will not go hungry.
“They are our mother, sisters, wife, and daughter who have been our rock as we spend most of our time at home.”
“Sila ang ating nanay, kapatid, asawa, anak na siyang sandigan sa lahat ng oras na magkakasama tayo sa bahay (They are our mother, sisters, wife, and daughter who have been our rock as we spend most of our time at home),” he said.
Recognizing the many challenges women and girls have been facing even before COVID and have been amplified during this crisis, Pangilinan vows to “strengthen our commitment to fight for equality, to ensure proper compensation for our frontliners and teachers, to provide support to farmers, and to protect all women from gender-based violence.”