Robredo: Gov’t must provide ample supply of basic needs if lockdown imminent

MANILA, Philippines — Amid proposals to isolate certain areas due to rising cases of COVID-19 infections in the country, Vice President Leni Robredo on Thursday urged the government to ensure the provision of basic food and sanitation necessities to communities.

In a Facebook Live, the Vice President also emphasized that support must be given especially to the most vulnerable sectors of the society.

“Naniniwala tayo: Magiging mabisa lamang ang anumang lockdown kung mayroong sapat na probisyon sa mga komunidad, lalo na para sa mga mahihirap,” Robredo said in a Facebook live, noting that authorities are studying a localized lockdown as a precautionary measure against COVID-19.

(We believe: Any lockdown would only be effective if there’s sufficient provision to communities, especially for the poor.)

“Tiyakin din sana ng gobyerno na sapat ang mga pangunahing pangangailangan, tulad ng pagkain sa food banks at mga gamit para sa sanitasyon,” she added.

(The government should likewise ensure there’s an adequate supply of basic needs, like food in food banks and sanitation kits.)

The Philippines is under Code Red Sub-Level 1, implementing heightened surveillance for people with respiratory symptoms, intensified contact tracing, and stricter home quarantine. The Department of Health (DOH) declared Code Red Sub-Level 1 after the confirmation of COVID-19’s first local transmission.

Correspondingly, President Rodrigo Duterte declared a state of public health emergency.

Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año said a lockdown of Metro Manila may only be possible if the health alert would be raised to Code Red Sub-Level 2 since it would mean that a sustained community transmission in the country has already transpired.

To date, DOH reported 52 patients infected with COVID-19 in the Philippines. Two of the 52 patients have already died, among them a 67-year-old Filipino female.

The coronavirus disease was caused by the novel coronavirus, which emerged in Wuhan City of Hubei province in China.

The International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses named the novel coronavirus as SARS-CoV-2.

The virus causes mild symptoms such as fever and cough for most people but old people and those with existing health conditions could be at high risk if infected with COVID-19.

KGA