The municipal government of Mankayan, Benguet is appointing for a permanent post in government the midwife who recovered from coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) due to her dedication to service.

“We are hiring as a permanent midwife Glory Galino because she is dedicated, industrious, hardworking, dependable who is known as the ‘go to girl’ always willing to be of help,” Mayor Frenzel Ayong said in a telephone interview on Saturday.

Ayong said people who are dedicated in service should be rewarded, while punishing those who abuse their authority.

He said Galino, a 23-year-old licensed midwife, was hired as a job order employee of the municipal government in August 2018.

She was assigned at the Atayan, Balili Health Station, one of the biggest villages with the biggest population of 6,000. It is more than three kilometers away from the town proper.

Ayong said residents at her assignment and co-workers told him of the work attitude of Galino after she was found positive for Covid-19 on June 12. She is the first and only case in the municipality up to this time.

Galino tested positive for the dreaded disease during the expanded mass testing for front-liners in the Cordillera Region.

Ayong said that aside from doing her regular function for the village as a job order employee of the municipal health office, she also helps in issuing health declaration forms to the public from the start of the declaration of enhanced community quarantine in Luzon.

Such a function could have exposed her to Covid-19 as Galino did not have any travel outside the municipality.

Upon receiving the positive result of her test, Galino immediately revealed herself to the public for faster contact tracing.

On June 25, Galino and 10 other patients at the Benguet General Hospital and Medical Center (BGHMC) were discharged and sent home after recovering from Covid-19.

He said Galino is an exemplar of a good public service who must be recognized to serve as an inspiration especially to the young people to also do their best.

Ayong said he “wants the story of Glory Galino to be known by all, especially the young generation that if they dedicate their time and effort for the sake of their people thru public service, the government will reward them.”

Ayong added he has asked the finance committee of the town to fast-track the creation of the midwife position with salary grade 9 this year, effective January 1 next year or earlier.

While Galino will not be entitled to the PHP100,000 assistance to frontline health workers as she was not a critical case, she is getting more with the permanent employment status from the local government of Mankayan. (PNA)