Bayan lauds Robredo’s COVID response plan as solid recovery strategy

Renato Reyes Jr. INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — An activist group’s leader has praised Vice President Leni Robredo’s COVID-19 response plan if she is elected president, saying it provides a solid framework for how the country can recover and move forward from the ill effects of the pandemic.

In a statement on Thursday, Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) secretary general Renato Reyes said that Robredo’s proposals are most welcome, as her plan coincides with the things they have been pushing for — good governance, anti-corruption mechanisms, increased health spending, and taking care of health workers.

“The pandemic response proposals of VP @lenirobredo concerning public health, employment and education are most welcome. These provide a general framework on how to move forward amid the pandemic and make good governance and anti-corruption as important requisites,” Reyes said.

Reyes said the call for increased spending on hospitals and health care workers and relief for the affected is welcomed. Face-to-face classes in low-risk areas and gadget support in high-risk areas are also most welcome, he added.

Reyes, though, pointed out that Robredo also needs to discuss further issues concerning PhilHealth, the Universal Health Care law, and public-private partnerships in the health sector.

Despite declining infection rates, Robredo provided a detailed response plan for the COVID-19 pandemic on Wednesday, noting that a robust healthcare system and adequate compensation must be provided to strengthen the country’s health system.

The list of her recommendations includes stopping corruption, preventing anomalies, having an efficient leader in charge of COVID response strategy, providing adequate wages for frontline workers, and supporting hospitals so that those sick can get medical care without becoming a burden.

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Reyes said that Robredo’s plans are the right thing to do, as healthcare services should have been free long ago.

Reyes said that Robredo’s plans were the right thing to do since healthcare services should have been free a long time ago. The repetitive question is how the government can prioritize this, particularly in regards to the national budget?

When a candidate discusses priorities, voters can see their true colors, he said.

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