Robredo seeks one repository for COVID-19 data

MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Leni Robredo on Sunday said the government should create a single repository for all the data and information in relation to its response to the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, particularly on how it is spending billions of funds and loans to curb the spread of the virus.

This was among the suggestions she shared with Malacañang in a letter sent to presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, detailing potential actions that the government can take to further ensure transparency in data and help those severely affected by the pandemic.

“On the budget utilization, I suggested the creation of an online portal for the public to monitor the loan agreements that the government has entered in,” she said in her radio show.

“There are several accusations of corruption … With an online portal, the public will know where to check and the baseless accusations can be avoided,” she added.

The Vice President cited a private initiative that tracked the spending of the funds provided under the Bayanihan to Heal As One Act, as well as the funds released by the Department of Health (DOH) for personal protective equipment for front-line workers and testing kits.

In the absence of a government-backed centralized repository, however, Robredo said the public was forced to look through different websites just to access information.

“With this [portal] and information, people can be assured where our money is going and we know what to expect,” she said.