Vice President Leni Robredo on Thursday asked the Duterte administration to immediately identify the source of funding for COVID-19 test kits.
“Let us quickly identify and procure these test kits as soon as possible. Specifically, identify where the needed funds will come from, and the fastest way to source the kits,” she said in Filipino.
Robredo also pushed for work from home arrangements for all nonessential sectors, and called on the government to ensure that all localities have an adequate stockpile of resources should a lockdown take place.
“Any lockdown will only be effective if we have enough supplies, especially for the poor. I hope the government has already started to fill food banks,” she said.
In the same speech, Robredo appealed for calm and warned against hoarding and panic buying.
The official said a work-from-home system would ensure social distancing, which would be the best way to avoid the further spread of the disease.
Robredo also addressed the health sector for guidelines for those affected.