A PERSONNEL from the Philippine National Police Public Information Office (PNP-PIO) topped the recently-concluded nationwide poster-making contest spearheaded by the Philippine Blood Center to highlight the country’s modern-day heroes in the fight against COVID-19.

Police Corporal Norfred Gruyal Salonga’s entry highlighted four aspects which earned the approval of the judges in the PBC-led contest with the theme: “The Need for Blood Donation and Blood Donor Eligibility.’

PNP chief, General Dionardo B. Carlos commended Salonga for bringing pride and honor to the PNP in general and the PNP-PIO in particular.

“Congratulations PCpl. Salonga for bringing another feather in the organization’s cap. May God continuously inspire you to be an instrument of hope and humility and may you continue inspiring and making the Philippine National Police proud. Our best wishes for your continuing great success” said Carlos, himself a former chief of the PNP-PIO and a former PNP spokesperson.

Salonga said his poster paid tribute to members of the 225,000-strong police force who are acting as ‘front-liners’ and ‘unsung heroes’ in the government’s effort to further curb down the spread of the deadly virus by strictly enforcing minimum health safety protocols.

At least 42,227 police personnel have contracted the virus since March last year with 125 of them succumbing to the disease. As of yesterday, 42,072 of those who were stricken by the illness have already fully recovered and are now back to full duty status.

“We have been selflessly serving the community and many of us lost their lives due to Covid-19, but we will stand in our ground without hesitation to preserve the noble tradition of service to humanity in this great time of ordeal. No cause is more worthy than saving human lives,” Salonga said.

He also featured the white dove, blood and the Filipino people in his poster.

“The White Dove represents peace of the deepest kind. It represents hope and peace that has resonated well across the vast majority of religions and cultures. Apart from peace and hope, the dove represents the medical frontliners’ soul. The dove is also a symbol of protection and elicits a promise of hope, salvation, and global optimism to be shared by mankind,” said the young cop.

He also painted the major role of the police force when it comes to donating precious blood to the PBC and the Philippine Red Cross.

“Bawat segundo, maaaring may isang pasyenteng nanganganib ang buhay at naghihintay para sa isang blood transfusion upang mabuhay. And we will continue supporting and working with them on this worthy cause to save lives and to reduce the number of people awaiting for blood and plasma donation,” he said.

Last but not the least is the Filipino people. “ “Our greatest wealth is the Filipino people and we must therefore guard their health and physical well-being with all the means at our command. We can emerge from this crisis only by working together. We must continue to stand in solidarity as we make ourselves relevant and useful to our country towards the shared goal of a sustainable and equitable progress,” Salonga added.

Other winners in the PBC Poster Making Contest were representatives from the Department of Health-Training and Rehabilitation Center, Cagayan De Oro City (2nd Prize) and the Army’s 51st Engineering Brigade.

The winners will be bringing home a prize and Certificate of Recognition. \

Salonga joins the roster of talented personnel of the PNP-Public Information Office currently under Colonel Roderick Augustus B. Alba.