A proposed law aimed at preventing COVID-19 related discrimination passed on the third reading Tuesday, providing much-needed protection for frontliners and OFWs.
“House Bill 6817, or the COVID-19 Related Discrimination Act, will help put an end to discriminatory practices against frontliners, service workers, health personnel, and even repatriated OFWs,” said principal author Rep. Kit Belmonte.
The bill provides penalties for stigmatization, harassment, assault, and unreasonable refusal to honor valid and existing contracts on the basis of COVID-19. It will also ensure that no public officer shall refuse or neglect to render assistance to persons who are either suspected or confirmed COVID-19 patients.
The country has been most vocal in thanking those who serve in these most trying times.
“The country has been most vocal in thanking those who serve in these most trying times,” added the third-term representative from Quezon City. “The best way of expressing our gratitude, however, is by providing those in the frontlines with lasting protection so that they may never again have to endure unwarranted hardships on the basis of their profession.”
The best way of expressing our gratitude, however, is by providing those in the frontlines with lasting protection so that they may never again have to endure unwarranted hardships on the basis of their profession.
As of June 2, 2020, the Department of Health has reported that there are 18,997 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the Philippines, with 966 deaths and 4,063 recoveries.