MANILA, Philippines — One year since the pandemic started, at least two senators on Friday lamented that the country seems to be “back to square one” in terms of government response, amid the spike in recorded COVID-19 cases in the Philippines.
In a statement, Senator Francis Pangilinan said the year-long government experience with its response to the pandemic should have helped in making informed “next steps,” including the vaccine roll-out, but government action appeared to be missing.
“Today feels like March 2020 all over again, with the spike in COVID cases and the slow vaccine roll-out,” the senator added.
“Ilan na ba ang na-test? Paano yung mga walang pambayad ng test? [How many have been tested? How about those who can’t afford to be tested?] Has the much-touted 10 million tests by the first of quarter of 2021 been achieved? What’s our data on contact tracing? Has it been effective? How is our vaccine procurement, delivery, and administration going?” he further asked.
Pangilinan said t will take more than the newly-imposed uniform curfew in Metro Manila and the presence of the police to rein in the coronavirus infection which is on the rise anew.
The Metro Manila Council recently announced that it will impose a 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew in the capital region starting March 15 in an effort to control the spread of the infection.
“Mag-iisang taon na ang kung ano-anong CQ (community quarantine) o lockdown,”Pangilinan said, citing the importance of mass testing, contact tracing and isolation.
(It’s been one year since we’ve imposed all sorts of community quarantine or lockdown.)
‘Disappointing’
Meanwhile, Senator Joel Villanueva said that a year into the pandemic, the country has yet to see the big leap to curb the coronavirus.
“It’s so disappointing to note na it’s been a year and we could hardly see yung malaking paglukso o pagtalon natin para iwanan o makipag-split tayo sa COVID,” Senator Joel Villanueva told reporters in an online interview when asked about his assessment of the country’s response to the pandemic one year since.
(It’s so disappointing to note that it’s been a year and yet we could hardly see a big leap in our response to be able to split from COVID.)
“Ang problema po natin ngayon, parang aaksyon lang po tayo kapag talagang kalat na ang virus, kapag napupuno na yung mga ospital natin. I think we need to be ahead of the curve,” he added. “Unfortunately, that’s what I find disappointing. If you look at everything para we’re back to square one. We are not moving forward. We are back to square one.”
(Our problem is that it seemed government only jump for action when the virus has already spread and our hospitals are already full. I think we need to be ahead of the curve)
The senator, however, acknowledged how challenging it is to balance efforts to revive the economy and to contain further transmission of the virus.
“Kailangan po nating tandaan muli na ang pandemyang ay isang health crisis. Health crisis po yan, consequence lang po nito ang challenges natin ngayon sa ating ekonomiya. Upang mapasigla ang ating ekonomiya, kailangan palakasin talaga natin ang public health system,” he said.
(We need to remember that this pandemic is a health crisis. This is a health crisis, the consequence of this is the challenges to our economy. To revive the economy, we need to strengthen our public health system.)
This means there should be strengthened efforts to ensure the capacity of hospitals is not overwhelmed by the number of patients coming in.
He also underscored the importance of an effective contact tracing system.
“Kailangan talaga natin ng magandang sistema para hindi tayo reactive lamang sa pagkalat ng virus,” he said.
(We really need a good system so that we won’t just be reactive to the spread of the virus.)
Likewise, Villanueva reiterated the need to expedite the country’s vaccination rollout.
“Wala naman po tayo sinisisi o tinuturo na isang tao o partikular na departamento pero kailangan magsama-sama ho tayo. Ano pa po ba ang pwede nating gawin? Kailangan bilis-bilisan po natin ito,” he added.
(We are not putting the blame on anyone or pointing to a particular department but we need to work together. What more can we do? We need to fast-track this.)
Doctors, not military men
Meanwhile, Pangilinan said that as the coronavirus pandemic is a health matter, the government should look for solutions from consultations with public health experts, and not from those from the military.
He was apparently alluding to former military men appointed by President Rodrigo Duterte to head the various aspects of government response to the pandemic.
“Kailangan natin ang kamay na ma-aruga ng mga doktor, nurse, contact tracers at vaccinators,” he said.
(We need the caring hands of our doctors, nurses, contact tracers and vaccinators.)
“What we need are the caring hands of healthcare workers not the iron fist of armed men,” he added. “Hindi yung mga eksperto sa baril o giyera.” (Not those who have expertise in guns and war)
Meanwhile, police personnel are being eyed to patrol communities again to enforce health protocols. The Philippine National Police (PNP) also earlier discouraged public displays of affection, saying it could lead to further spread of the virus.
Earlier, Malacañang said it has vaccinated 114,615 people as of Mar. 10 out of its 70 million targets to achieve herd immunity.
Senator Panfilo Lacson said that at this rate, the country could achieve herd immunity only by 2033 if the government does not accelerate the pace of its inoculation drive.