Public health a priority as economy slowly reopens – Duterte

MANILA, Philippines — Public health remains President Rodrigo Duterte’s top priority even as the government slowly reopens the economy shuttered for two months due to the new coronavirus pandemic.

The President gave the assurance as he recognized that the government will face more challenges as the country eases into more relaxed community quarantine protocols.

“I recognize that the future poses profound challenges for our nation and our countrymen. While we are slowly reopening the economy, our commitment to protect and maintain the health of our people remains as top priority,” he said.

The President on Monday submitted his eighth weekly report to Congress, in which he assured the public that he will judiciously exercise his powers.

He also vowed to tap all available resources to strengthen the country’s healthcare system, to provide financial aid for vulnerable sectors, and to push the nation forward.

“Through the resilience and fortitude of the Filipino, I am certain that we will overcome these difficult times,” Mr. Duterte added.

In his report, the President said 16,996,999 poor families benefited from the P101.4 billion from the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s Assistance to Individuals in Crisis.

Around 4.13 million are members of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, 12.8 million are non-4Ps members, and 62,028 are drivers of transport network vehicle service and public utility vehicles in Metro Manila.

Around 649,573 employees have received P3.247 billion under the Department of Labor and Employment’s (Dole) COVID-19 Adjustment Measures Program (CAMP) for Affected Formal Workers.

This is apart from the 104,574 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who received P1.167 billion from the Dole’s CAMP Abot-Kamay and Pagtulong for Displaced OFWs.

Another 309,414 informal workers benefited from the P1.179 billion distributed by the Dole’s Tulong Panghanapbuhay para sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers.

Meanwhile, the government also distributed P20.4 billion wage subsidies to more than 2.6 million employees of small businesses under the Small Business Wage Subsidy program.