Singapore lauds Filipino frontliners in COVID-19 response success

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 29)— The government of Singapore has lauded the contributions of overseas Filipino health workers who have played an important part in its response against the COVID-19 pandemic.

In an exclusive statement sent to CNN Philippines on Tuesday, Singapore Ambassador to the Philippines Gerard Ho said that Filipino frontliners have been “invaluable” in their efforts to control the spread of the virus. The neighboring nation is considered as one of the Asian countries that have been successful in managing the health crisis.

““Filipino healthcare workers are famed across the world for their expertise and professionalism. Filipino frontliners in the health sector have been invaluable to our efforts to contain the virus,” the ambassador said in a statement.

Ho added the OFWs in Singapore have also played a crucial role in the country’s bid to gradually restart the economy.

““Many OFWs are also making important contributions to the safe and sustainable re-opening of Singapore’s economy,” Ho added. “They work in diverse sectors, including in education, finance and business. The Singapore Tourism Board recently posted a video conveying our appreciation for OFWs and their contributions to Singapore.”

Singapore’s mortality rate remains at a low level of less than 0.1 percent. As of September 28, Singapore has tallied 57,715 cases, including 57,393 recoveries and 27 deaths. No new fatalities were recently reported.

Singapore, which has drawn on lessons from the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome or SARS outbreak in the early 2000s, also cited a “pragmatic” strategy as well as strong healthcare system as some of the factors in the COVID-19 response.

““Our COVID-19 strategy is pragmatic, responding to medical findings and international developments, and focused on implementing policies which best allow us to contain the virus within our community… We will continue to step up our testing and contact tracing capabilities to support the safe re-opening of our economy and society,” Ho noted.

For Philippine Ambassador to Singapore Joseph Del Mar Yap, communication and effective information dissemination are key to ensure that Filipino nationals will abide to Singapore’s anti-coronavirus efforts.

Yap added that the Filipino community in Singapore has been responsive and cooperative.

“We deemed it extremely important to have an effective communication strategy during this pandemic for two reasons. First, we want to ensure that our nationals truly understand and embrace the seriousness of the public health crisis we are all facing. Second, we want them to contribute, individually and collectively, to the success of Singapore in fighting the spread of the virus by following all the required protocols,” he explained.

Filipino nurses Arlene Aleta and Niel Cahatian, were among the 100 nurses who received the Nurses’ Merit Award (NMA) last July. The recognition is given to those “who have displayed noteworthy and exceptional performance in raising the standards of nursing profession.

CNN Philippines’ Alyssa Rola contributed to this report.