Duterte thanks Congress, praises frontliners in national address
MANILA, Philippines — President Duterte on Tuesday thanked Congress for passing a bill that will give him additional powers to contain the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and expressed optimism that the "resilient" Filipino spirit would overcome the pandemic.
Duterte said the 'Bayanihan to Heal As One' bill would allow the executive branch to "move, decide and act freely for the best interest of the Filipino people during this health crisis."
"I especially thank Congress for granting the executive department with special powers through the...Bayanihan to Heal...as One Act to effectively respond to the challenges caused by the COVID-19 global pandemic," the President said in a televised address.
"To the members of both houses of Congress who sponsored and voted for this measure, I express my sincerest gratitude to all of you for granting our most urgent requests," he added.
The House of Representatives and the Senate approved separately on Tuesday the Bayanihan to Heal As One bill to boost state efforts to combat the COVID-19, which has infected more than 500 persons in the country and has left more than 30 others dead.
The House agreed to adopt the Senate's version of the bill, a move that allowed lawmakers to do away with the convening of a bicameral conference committee and to directly transmit the measure to the President for his signature. Duterte did not say in his address whether he has already signed the measure.
The measure permits Duterte to "reprogram, reallocate, and realign any appropriation" in the 2020 budget to support COVID-19 response measures.
It also allows the President to fast-track and streamline the accreditation of testing kits and to "direct the operation" of privately-owned hospitals medical and health facilities, and passenger vessels and turn them into accommodation for health workers, quarantine areas, or aid distribution centers
The bill likewise allows the President to liberalize the grant of incentives for the manufacture or importation of needed supplies or equipment and to provide P100,000 compensation to public and private health workers who contract severe COVID-19 infection.
'We will not surrender'
Duterte also appealed for patience as the government implements the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine, which started last March 17 and will end on April 13.
"I ask the entire country for your patience, understanding and utmost cooperation. With your support, I am confident that we will emerge triumphant. Nothing is more formidable and resilient than the Filipino spirit," the President said.
"Matindi ang kalaban (The enemy is tough). But we will not surrender. Hindi tayo susuko. Tayo ay lalaban (We will not surrender. We will fight)," he added.
Duterte said the Filipinos' resilience would allow them to pull through with the pandemic, which has forced businesses to close and daily wage workers to depend on government dole-outs.
"Yes, things will not be easy. (But) we Filipinos are tough. Mas malakas ang Pilipino sa anumang hamon (Filipinos are stronger than any challenge). Now, we all must do what we can and must. Para sa ating bayan (For the nation)," the President said.
"I look forward to the day that we Filipinos can finally claim victory (in) this war and emerge as a stronger and more united Filipinos and Philippines," he added.
Duterte also appealed to his fellow officials to set aside differences and work in solidarity to overcome the pandemic.
"We only have one common enemy and that is COVID-19. Our transparency, integrity, accountability and responsiveness are needed and I expect all of you to exercise all these in safeguarding our fellow Filipinos," he said.
Duterte thanks frontliners
Duterte also assured frontline workers of continuous support and thanked them for their readiness to sacrifice to protect the nation from COVID-19.
"Let me reiterate my sincerest gratitude to all our courageous frontliners in this war, especially our healthcare workers—our doctors, nurses, medical technologists, and other allied health professionals," he said.
The President also expressed admiration for doctors who died while attending to COVID-19 patients.
"I am saddened by the news that the virus has claimed the lives of our doctors along the way. Lahat po sila ay bayani and not only that, talagang bumilib ako (All of them are heroes and I really admire them)," Duterte said.
"Bihira akong sumasaludo ng tao pero ‘pag mga doktor natin, mga health workers na nadisgrasya, talagang saludo ako sa inyo. Wala na kayo dito sa mundong ito pero ganun na lang ang pagtingin ko sa inyo (I rarely salute people but our doctors, our health workers who were infected with the disease, I really salute you. You are no longer with us and I really admire you)," he added.
Duterte also thanked officials and staff of the Inter-agency Task Force on Emerging and Infectious Diseases "for staying on top of this situation" and the military and police personnel for "ensuring peace and order in these trying times."
"I also thank the rest of the frontliners who ensure that basic services are provided to our people, from those manning various government agencies, groceries, banks, food establishments, and delivery services, among others," Duterte said.
"To the gracious members of the private sector who are foregoing profit to alleviate the suffering of our people; to the valiant volunteers who are bravely supplementing our frontliners; (and) to the noble civil society organizations who are working tirelessly in calling for donations and performing charity work— Thank you very much for your kindness, compassion and generosity," he added.
National action plan
In the same address, Duterte announced that the defense, social welfare and interior departments, the military and the police are ramping up the implementation of a national action plan to reinforce the heath officials' efforts to contain COVID-19.
He said reports on the progress of the action plan would be given regularly by the defense secretary, who will serve as its chairman and the interior secretary, who will function as vice chairman.
"Huwag kayong matakot. Nandito ‘yung gobyerno ninyo para kayo pagsilbihan at totoong pagsilbihan (Do not be afraid. The government is here to serve you)."
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