Prioritize release of frontliners' benefits before building memorial wall — groups

Health workers attend to COVID-19 patients at the chapel of Quezon City General Hospital which was turned into an intensive care unit on Sept. 2, 2021. The STAR / Michael Varcas

MANILA, Philippines — The government should prioritize the release of the benefits promised to healthcare workers instead of building a memorial wall that will symbolize their heroism in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, groups said on Friday.

The government is planning to build a memorial wall for COVID-19 frontliners at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Taguig City. It will feature a mural of frontliners leading the country’s battle against the pandemic and the names of fallen health workers.

The plan was announced at a time when employees of private and public medical facilities are protesting to express their anger over the non-payment of their benefits and the deplorable conditions of health workers.

Full Story: https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2021/09/03/2124631/prioritize-release-frontliners-benefits-building-memorial-wall-groups