A resolution introduced by Deputy Speaker and Las Piñas City Rep. Camille Villar seeking to give due recognition to heroic first responders has been unanimously approved by the House of Representatives.
In a plenary session on Wednesday, House members voted to adopt House Resolution No. 1521.
“Typhoons are among the most destructive natural phenomena and exacerbate the already vulnerable situation of our kababayans. Our first responders – considered the frontliners in times of disasters – are always there to support the affected Filipinos and get them to safety in time,” Villar said in a statement.
“Career and volunteer professionals “deserve to be honored for their commitment to safety and humanity” even at the risk of putting their own lives on the line and amid the pandemic”, Villar said, adding that a congressional recognition is “a small way to demonstrate our gratitude.”
“We are proud of their crucial work and we salute them,” added the Las Piñas representative.
Villar filed the measure in the aftermath of the destructive tropical cyclones that left several parts of the Philippines devastated last year.
“Despite limitations in water and air assets and sophisticated equipment side-by-side with the magnitude of damage and hundreds of thousands of people affected, our men in uniform showed heroic deeds amid the challenges and obvious high risk to their lives in rescuing families in their houses at the height of the onslaught of the past typhoons,” Villar said in the resolution.
Villar also sought to recognize the valiant efforts of the private sector for providing life-saving assistance to the affected individuals and displaced families.
“The active participation, assistance and support of the Philippine Red Cross, non-government organizations, international humanitarian missions, and private individuals are invaluable and must be recognized accordingly as they selflessly put themselves in harm’s way,” she added.
Leyte Rep. Lucy Torres-Gomez (4th District) co-authored the resolution. Villar’s resolution was filed last November 17, 2020.