Daughter of Pampanga health officer appeals to public: Appreciate frontliners, they could be our last line

The daughter of the Pampanga provincial health officer who succumbed to coronavirus disease 2019 has appealed to the public to appreciate each and every frontliner, especially the medical personnel, during this state of public health emergency due to COVID-19.

In an interview on Dobol B sa News TV on Friday, Cielo Jaochico, daughter of Dr. Marcelo Jaochico, said what happened to her father was a wake up call that health workers should also look after themselves.

"Parang wake-up call na rin po ito sa health workers na mag-ingat sila. Walang pinipili 'yung virus na aatakihin. Pero pinaka nagsasuffer po ang health workers na nasa frontline..." Jaochico said.

"Dapat maappreciate po sila kasi 'yung frontline natin and maybe 'yun na rin po ang last line natin so paano po pag gumuho na po..." she added.

Jaochico also urged everyone to do their part in preventing the spread of the disease.

"Unang-una po para maiwasan 'yung ganoong events, iprevent na po natin, let's do our part po in flattening the curve... as much as possible, gusto natin kaunti ang casualties," she said.

Jaochico's dad, who was a community doctor, passed away Tuesday night.

Prior to serving as Pampanga's Provincial Health Officer in 2013, the older Jaochico worked for the Department of Health where he held a position at the Bureau of Local Health Systems and Development for two to three years.

He also took part in recovery efforts of the people of Tacloban, Leyte after Typhoon Yolanda. He also headed the assistance of the Kapampangan Medical Team during the Taal Eruption. — Anna Felicia Bajo/RSJ, GMA News