If there is one Christmas wish asked of them this year, senators said they would wish for free access to COVID-19 vaccines for all Filipinos and an end to the pandemic.
Detained Senator Leila de Lima said this is her heartfelt desire for the country, aside from her wish to be free and vindicated from all the trumped-up drug charges that were filed against her.
De Lima said Christmas remains to be the season of hope and the time to give back and be grateful.
“For our country, I wish that every Filipino will be given access to the COVID-19 vaccine so that all can move on from this pandemic without worrying for their health and safety,” De Lima said.
“Let’s give to our COVID-19 frontliners, typhoon and disaster responders, and the individuals and groups who reach out to those who need help the most during times of disaster out of generosity and a pure desire to help,” she further said.
“Their sacrifices made our sufferings bearable and humane. They gifted us with their love, and some of them with their lives, through their selfless acts of heroism. Let’s honor them and show them how grateful we are,” she added.
Senator Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara said the year 2020 is undoubtedly “one of the most challenging and difficult times in our history.”
But Filipinos, he said, should never lose hope, even if the COVID-19 pandemic was totally unexpected “and changed all of our lives.”
“No one was spared. Then the storms came, in succession, battering several parts of Luzon and leaving our already struggling kababayans down on their knees. Rarely have our people been through so much hardship and suffering in such a short period of time,” Angara said.
“But as Filipinos, we never lose hope. No matter how daunting the trials that come our way, we always see the silver lining and find reasons to smile.
Nevertheless, Angara noted how Filipinos are already seeing glimpses of normalcy back in their daily lives.
“Businesses are starting to open up again and people are feeling more comfortable about leaving their homes,” he pointed out.
“And with several vaccines very close to distribution, we are hopeful that 2021 will be a better year for us all,” Angara added.
“We may not be able to celebrate in the same way we have in previous years– we may be forced to meet with our friends and family virtually, but this Christmas will be no less meaningful,” he stressed.
For her part, Sen. Nancy Binay said that despite the many trials experienced by Filipinos in the year 2020, she finds it heartening to know that there are Filipinos who would always be willing and ready to lend a hand and a heart whenever life gets rough.
“May we always find hope and joy in celebrating Christmas as we share our hearts full of compassion, and faith. So, let us share happiness and the love in our hearts to lift the spirits and improve the lives of those who have lost their homes, jobs, livelihood, and loved ones,” Binay said.
“As a nation, we had to brave storms and endure the many challenges posed by these trying times. But all these shall pass as we find love and hope this Christmas and the year ahead,” she stressed.
Meantime, senator Richard J. Gordon, chairman and CEO of the Philippine Red Cross (PRC), on Friday prayed that Filipinos continue to find happiness during these trying times, most especially this holiday season.
‘’May we continue to pray to the Lord Jesus Christ for the safety of our families from the threat of COVID-19 and to awaken our consciousness to the injustices rampant in our country today so that we may be men and women of action, service, and change,’’ Gordon, chairman of the Senate Blue Ribbon committee, said.
‘’May we may never cease to be a blessing to others amidst all the challenges we have braved this year, and may we continue to find happiness during these trying times, most especially this holiday season,’’ he added. (With a report from Mario B. Casayuran)
Source: Manila Bulletin (https://mb.com.ph/2020/12/25/senators-christmas-wish-free-access-to-covid-19-vaccines-for-filipinos/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=senators-christmas-wish-free-access-to-covid-19-vaccines-for-filipinos)
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