In celebration of its 81st founding anniversary, the Quezon City government has named COVID-19 community heroes for its Manuel L. Quezon 18th Gawad Parangal Award.
“What matters to the heroes we are honoring today is that every life is worth saving. Some of them continue to risk their lives everyday. Above anything else, all they want is to serve the community,” Mayor Joy Belmonte said.
“We share the success of our COVID-19 response to those who have been helping us in providing support and assistance to our residents. These awardees have been exemplary as they stood out among their peers to become heroes of their communities,” she added.
The awardees, both individuals and organizations or groups, are selected on the basis of their active involvement in helping the city government carry out the assistance of any form to the community during the height of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.
Among the individual awardees are Jay Angelo Pineda, chieftain of a technology start-up Whiz Philippines Innovations, for initiating an online challenge called #SalamatFrontliners to give back to the country’s frontliners, and Kingspoint Homeowners Association Inc. president Lamberto Nolasco, for his efforts to transform vacant lots in their subdivision to encourage the poor and the jobless to plant their own vegetables.
Three doctors were also recognized as community heroes.
Thet are Dr. Esperanza Anita Arias of the Quezon City Health Department for her active service as one of the city’s incident commanders; Dr. Susan Jane Celo, a medical officer at the Quezon City Health Department, for spearheading efforts in setting up community-based testing sites, coordination with various stakeholders, and active monitoring and follow-up of patients; and East Avenue Medical Center Sikap Bata Foundation founder Dr. Hilario John Mangoba for serving the poorest of the poor patients to at least five hospitals within the city.
Celo and Mangoba, unfortunately, succumbed to COVID-19.
Five organizations have also been recognized for Gawad Parangal awardees, including the Bantay Bayan Foundation Inc. Culiat chapter, and Triskelion Riders for initiating a blood-letting program and extending assistance to jeepney drivers.