Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 20) — Kabayan party-list honored Dr. Charlie Jandic for responding to an emergency situation involving an MRT-3 passenger.
Jandic on Sunday accepted the “Kabayan Bayani Award,” a recognition given by the party-list group to celebrate heroic deeds of ordinary Filipinos. She is the first recipient of the said award.
Jandic on November 14 rushed to an MRT-3 passenger who lost her right arm after falling on the tracks at Ayala station. She put a tourniquet on the victim, 24-year-old Angeline Fernando. Fernando was rushed to the hospital where doctors were able to successfully reattach her preserved arm.
Kabayan said the medical post-graduate intern at Chinese General Hospital in Manila exemplifies the traits of a true Filipino hero and serves as an inspiration to her fellow doctors to go further in serving the public.
“We seize the opportunity to celebrate and recognize heroism where it is due in order that we may inspire and encourage all Filipinos to also perform their heroic acts or deeds. Indeed, not all heroes are dead. Some are alive, like Dr. Jandic,” Party-list Representative Ron Salo said during the ceremony in Muntinlupa City.
Jandic was humbled at the recognition.
“Sa totoo lang po, hindi ko naman po inisip na mabigyan ng parangal o atensyon. Ginawa ko lang naman po ang hinihingi ng pagkakataon — ang tumulong sa nangangailangan gamit ang aking kaalaman at training bilang doktor,” she said.
[Translation: I was not after recognition or awards. I only did what was needed during that situation, which was to help those in need with my knowledge and experience as a doctor.]
Kabayan will rename Salo’s bill, titled National Emergency Medical Services System, after Jandic.
Meanwhile, Senator Sonny Angara called for the passage of Senate Bill 1573 or the “Emergency Medical Services System Act” which he filed in August 2017. It will require all local government units to create a dispatch unit complete with an ambulance and qualified personnel to treat emergency cases.
Under the bill, public and private institutions, including parks, malls, and transport stations, should have at least one automated defibrillator to immediately treat someone suffering cardiac arrest.
A national emergency number should also be made available for the public under the the proposed law.
