Salamat Modern Day Heroes - OUR FRONTLINERS

As we continue to rebuild our communities from the profound impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, we pause with deep gratitude to honor the unsung heroes who stood firm when the world was forced to pause: our health workers, community volunteers, and advocates for sexual and reproductive health (SRH).

In 2020, when cities shut down and fear gripped the nation, these brave souls chose courage over comfort. They stepped outside their homes to ensure others could stay safe in theirs. Amid travel restrictions, dwindling resources, and the constant threat of infection, they chose service.

In the far-flung barangays of Albay, health workers navigated through checkpoints and volcanic ash, not to flee—but to deliver prenatal care and family planning commodities. In Palawan, a province known for its beauty but also its isolation, community volunteers crossed seas and mountains to bring dignity kits, contraceptives, and critical information to women and young people.

Cebu, then a hotspot of COVID-19, became a beacon of resilience. Nurses and barangay health workers braved overcrowded health centers to ensure that SRH services did not become collateral damage of the pandemic. In Ifugao and Benguet, our indigenous communities found allies in midwives and youth advocates who translated IEC materials into local dialects and patiently conducted house-to-house outreach with masks on and hearts open.

These places were not just locations on a map; they were battlegrounds of care. In them, our partners proved that essential services—including reproductive health—do not stop during a crisis; they become even more vital.

We thank the community health workers who treated every client with compassion, the volunteers who gave their time without asking for anything in return, and the SRH champions who fought for every woman's right to choose and every young person's right to know. You reminded us that public health is not just about surviving a virus—it’s about protecting rights, dignity, and futures.

To our partners in Albay, Palawan, Cebu, Ifugao, and Benguet, your stories are etched in the legacy of our collective advocacy. You brought hope to where it was fading and care to where it was desperately needed.

On this day of thanksgiving, and every day forward, we honor you.

Mabuhay kayo. Maraming salamat po.