We extend our most sincere condolences to the family and loved ones of Ma. Theresa Cruz. As a brave nurse in the frontlines, she was instrumental in our COVID-19 response and we are grateful for her selfless dedication and service she has rendered for over a decade.
We have reached out to the bereaved family and are in communication with Ms. Joie Cruz, the daughter of Mrs. Cruz. We are committed to bringing the welfare of our healthcare workers to the fore, which is why we lobbied for renewed benefit packages under the Bayanihan Act II. We will continue to proactively communicate the benefits our health workers are entitled to.
We are also working with the DILG to ensure that LGU hospitals adhere to our guidelines, which, from the beginning have placed primacy on caring for our healthcare workers by ensuring the provision of appropriate care, testing, and timely payments.
We hold our health workers in the highest regard, and we will extend all the needed assistance to protect those who risk their safety to protect others. Rest assured that the concern raised has paved the way for more discussions on how we can take care of our health workers better.