Palace: Duterte may tap Presidential Social Fund for repairs on fire-hit PGH room

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte may tap the Presidential Social Fund (PSF) for repairs needed at the Philippine General Hospital (PGH), which operating room supply and autoclave room (Orsa) was damaged by fire over the weekend, Malacañang said Monday.

The PSF is an off-budget item that is sourced from revenues of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp.

“Kung anong kinakailangan po ngayon para ma-repair ang mga damage ay puwede pong i-tap iyong Presidential Social Fund dahil iyan po ay dati na pong in-offer sa PGH,” presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said in an online briefing when sought for President Rodrigo Duterte’s reaction over the incident.

(The Presidential Social Fund can be tapped for whatever is needed to repair the damage because that has been previously offered to the PGH. That’s the reaction of the President.)

“Ang huling mensahe ko po galing sa ating Presidente — ‘Ask and you shall receive’,” Roque told PGH director Gap Legaspi who also attended the briefing.

(My last message from the President — “Ask and you shall receive’.)

Roque said Duterte also ordered the National Task Force against COVID-19 chief implementer Carlito Galvez Jr. and deputy chief implementer Vince Dizon to inspect the fire-damaged health facility.

“At siyempre po top priority ng DPWH [Department of Public Works and Highways] iyong pagri-repair ng mga na-damage sa PGH,” Roque added.

(And of course, it is the DPWH’s top priority to repair the damage at the PGH.)

The PGH has temporarily suspended conducting surgical procedures after the blaze struck its Orsa where tools and equipment for operations are stored and sterilized.

No one was reported hurt due to the incident.

KGA