Government COVID-19 response improving – Palace

MANILA, Philippines — Despite the continuing rise in the number of coronavirus disease 2019 cases in the country, government response to the COVID-19 crisis has saved “thousands” of lives, presidential spokesman Harry Roque Jr. said yesterday.

“We are improving when it comes to the battle against COVID-19,” Roque said at a press briefing.

He said the number of tests being conducted is increasing and only five in every 100 persons tested have turned out positive for the virus.

He said the increase in the number of deaths has slowed and only less than half of intensive care unit beds, isolation beds, ward beds and mechanical ventilators are being used.

The case doubling rate, Roque said, is seven days – a rate that makes an area qualified to be placed under the more lenient general community quarantine (GCQ).

“Hindi po takot ang ginamit – siyensiya po, mga datos na nagligtas ng libu-libong buhay (It’s not by sowing fear – it’s science backed with data that has saved thousands of lives),” he said.

Citing information from Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez, Roque said the World Bank has praised President Duterte for effectively saving “100,000 lives” through his “decisiveness.”

“They said if we did not impose a lockdown, 100,000 people would have died,” the Palace spokesman said.

“Now, many parts of the Philippines are under GCQ and the more relaxed MGCQ (modified GCQ),” he added.

Roque also denied that the government has adopted a militaristic approach to dealing with the pandemic.

“We do not have a military solution. We just used the capability and experience of the military officials to bring public health solutions faster to our countrymen. If the government did not do anything, hundreds of thousands would have died just like in other countries,” he said.

“Our solution is a public health solution. What is the public health solution? Social distancing, being homeliners, keeping healthy and proper hygiene.”

Roque said the increasing number of persons testing positive for the virus is expected, citing a World Health Organization statement that the pandemic is “in a new and dangerous phase.”

He also claimed that a majority of Filipinos support the lockdown measures imposed by the government, noting that a Social Weather Stations (SWS) poll had found 84 percent of Filipinos believing that the strict stay-at-home measures were “worth it.”

“Again, let me put on record that conservatism is important at this point of pandemic because lives matter; and as the SWS survey shows, people agree to staying at home,” Roque said.

“We want to achieve a zero transmission but we are far from attaining that because many cases are being reported every day. Our appeal is until we don’t have a medicine or vaccine, stay healthy, stay hygienic, observe social distancing and wear masks,” he added.

Roque also dismissed insinuations that someone is coveting the post of Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, who has been criticized for his alleged mishandling of the COVID-19 crisis.

“I do not know of anyone who is aspiring to become secretary of health now,” Roque said.

“This is the most difficult job during the time of COVID. It seems that no matter how ambitious you are, it’s hard to aspire to such a difficult job,” he added.

Various sectors have called for the resignation of Duque, accusing him of failure of leadership and inefficiency in implementing the government’s measures against the pandemic. On Sunday, Sen. Richard Gordon said “many” are interested in Duque’s position, but did not elaborate.

Ombudsman Samuel Martires has also ordered a probe on the alleged anomalies in the health department’s response to the health crisis.

Meanwhile, Sen. Risa Hontiveros is urging the government to intensify mass testing and protection for health workers as the number of COVID-19 cases has breached the 30,000 mark.

With cases surpassing 30,000 mark, Sen. Risa Hontiveros urged the government to provide effective and intensified health measures, including mass testing for SARS-CoV-2, protection for health workers, raising the line of the health system.

“More than 30,000 COVID-19 cases have been recorded in the country. Real talk: Filipinos are not hardheaded. Given proper safeguards and correct measures, Filipinos will cooperate for our health and safety,” Hontiveros said.

“What we need are effective and intensified health measures that we have been pushing for since day 1,” she noted. Cecille Suerte Felipe

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