Lacson, Sotto ask DOH: Where’s COVID-19 transition plan?

By: Dennis Gutierrez - 3 years ago

FILE PHOTO: Vice presidential candidate Senate President Vicente Sotto III (left) and presidential candidate Sen. Panfilo Lacson bump fists after a Mass at the Imus Cathedral ahead of their proclamation rally on Tuesday, February 8, 2022. Photo from Lacson’s office.

MANILA, Philippines — With COVID-19 inching towards becoming endemic, are health authorities in the country prepared to handle the transition?

Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson raised this question on Tuesday, saying health authorities led by Health Secretary Francisco Duque III should be thinking proactively on the matter by now.

“By now we should be preparing a policy to handle the transition from pandemic to endemic. That’s where we’re headed,” Lacson said in a mix of English and Filipino in an interview with reporters in Quezon province.

“I wonder if Secretary Duque and our health officials are thinking in the same way we are thinking. A leader should think proactively, not wait until the problem is at his doorstep,” he added.

Also, Lacson reiterated that it is important that the Universal Health Care Act be fully implemented at this time.

Lacson – who is seeking the presidency – had been a vocal critic of Duque, particularly in the health chief’s lapses in the government’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic during its early stages.

For his part, Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III – Lacson’s running-mate seeking the vice presidency – said health authorities should have learned their lessons, noting that while COVID-19 Alert Level 1 is now in effect, “the health protocols remain.”

Sotto said it is important to continue observing health protocols including wearing face masks and conducting contact tracing.

“We have to be alert, especially the DOH [Department of Health]. I’m sorry to say this but many have said our weakest link in this pandemic is our health care program,” he added.