Mayor Isko Moreno, Vice Mayor Honey Lacuna, city engineer Armand Andres and city architect Pepito Balmoris (right) lead the groundbreaking ceremony of the Pedro Gil residences. Photo by JERRY S. TAN
Isko hails health frontliners as modern-day heroes
MANILA Mayor Isko Moreno yesterday hailed the medical and health frontliners as modern-day heroes during yesterday’s observance of the National Heroes Day, as he and Vice Mayor Honey Lacuna broke ground at the Pedro Gil Residences, the fifth housing project that his city government has began so far.
Moreno praised those frontlining in these times of the pandemic, as he also shared the experience that he and Lacuna had after they both contracted COVID-19, about a week apart from each other, with a call for the public to strictly observe health protocols, saying he would not want any of them experiencing the illness.
Moreno, joined by Lacuna, city engineer Armand Andres, city architect Pepito Balmoris, barangay bureau director Romy Bagay and Manila Health Department Chief Dr. Poks Pangan, said that the 20-storey Pedro Gil Residences in Ermita, Manila is a housing program intended for renters who want to have a home of their own. According to Andres, the newest housing project will have 309 residential units measuring 40 quare meters per unit, 125 parking slots, public health center, give rentable commercial units, five elevators for residential units, a swimming pool that includes a kid’s pool, an outdoor activity lawn or area, a fitness room, a function room, a roof garden and a badminton court, among others.
Meanwhile, the mayor called on everyone to come together regardless of politics or any affiliation, in order to defeat the pandemic as he hailed the health sector members who come face-to-face with COVID patients everyday, as modern-day heroes.
“Suklian natin ang sakripisyo at pag-aalay ng buhay ng ating mga bayani. Bantayan natin ang kalayaan ng ating bansa,” Moreno said.
He added: “Maraming salamat sa ating mga bayani. Nagpapasalamat din ako sa mga bagong bayani mga bayaning sumasagupa sa mga pasyente nating nakakahawa. Palakpakan natin ang mga bagong bayani nating medical frontliners. Moreno said even the ordinary citizens may consider themselves as heroes, simpy by practicing self-discipline, voluntarily following health protocols and showing concern not only for themselves but also to their neighbors, by avoiding getting infected.
Those who brave the infection to save others and to eke out a living for their families are also heroes, Moreno said, adding: “Bawat isang Manilenyo ay pupuwedeng maging bayani.”
Moreno meanwhile admitted that he and Lacuna still feel the brunt of having gotten COVID-19, particularly saying that they still suffer from some sort of tiredness, as he thanked those who sent their prayers, well wishes and kind words while he was in the hospital.
