MANILA, Philippines - The Ebola virus has yet to reach the Philippines but the government is joining the global campaign against the deadly disease, President Benigno Aquino III said on Friday.
In a speech at the Villamor Airbase in Pasay City, Aquino said the Philippines needs to help contain the virus since it is obligated to protect 10 million Filipinos abroad who could be exposed to Ebola.
"Kaya nga po, bilang ambag ng ating bansa, magkakaloob tayo ng halagang 'di bababa sa isang milyong dolyar sa United Nations sa pagsisikap na maagapan ang pagkalat ng Ebola virus disease," Aquino said.
He noted that the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared Ebola as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern following its outbreak in West Africa and the recorded cases in other countries.
Aquino earlier signed Executive Order No. 168 which formed a task force that will deal with the possible outbreaks of viruses.
He said the country will be closely coordinating with the WHO and the United States Center for Disease Control in connection with the effective measures and preparations against infectious diseases.
"Inilalatag po natin ang epektibong paraan upang masubaybayan ang exposure ng mga kababayan natin sa mga sakit, partikular na ang nasa ibang bansa upang mapauwi sila, habang pinapangalagaan ang kanilang kalusugan at ng ating kababayan dito," Aquino said.
He cited the case of 142 Filipino peacekeepers who were pulled out from Liberia, where they could be exposed to Ebola.
The peacekeepers' quarantine is part of the government's efforts to ensure that there will be no Ebola outbreak here, Aquino said.
"Linawin ko lang po: Hindi ibig sabihin na dahil nanggaling sila sa lugar na laganap ang Ebola, taglay na rin nila ang virus. Kailangan lang po muna nating tiyaking ligtas na silang makihalubilo sa iba," he said.
The president also urged Filipinos to coordinate with the Department of Health instead of spreading fear and panic over the virus.
"Kung mayroon man kayong mga katanungan, bukas po lagi ang tanggapan ng ahensya upang bigyan kayo ng kaukulang sagot. Ang atin pong panawagan: Huwag nating pairalin ang takot o pangamba dahil sa kawalan o kakulangan ng kaalaman," Aquino said.