Congress ready to augment funds for gov’t COVID-19 response — Angara

MANILA, Philippines — Congress is ready to augment funds in the government’s response to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), Senator Sonny Angara said.

In a statement on Sunday, Angara urged concerned agencies to declare any financial requirements that they need in the effort to contain the disease.

“There are funds contained in the 2020 General Appropriations Act that can be tapped for this purpose and if these are not enough then the DOH (Department of Health) should say so,” Angara, chair of the Senate finance committee, said.

“Kami naman sa kongreso ay handa na kumilos para ibigay ito kung kinakailangan,” he added.

(Congress is ready to act so that these can be given if needed.)

On Saturday, the DOH raised code red, sublevel 1 after the first case of local transmission was confirmed involving a 59-year-old woman, who is the wife of the 62-year-old who first tested positive for the dreaded virus.

President Rodrigo Duterte also agreed to declare a state of public health emergency after it was recommended by the DOH, according to his spokesman Salvador Panelo.

The DOH has so far confirmed six COVID-19 cases in the Philippines.

READ: State of emergency: Virus cases in PH hit 6

Before this, the DOH already called on Congress to approve the over P2-billion proposed supplemental budget for the COVID-19 response.

READ: DOH pressing Congress to pass supplemental funds for COVID-19 response

Two lawmakers have filed separate bills seeking a supplemental budget of over P2 billion.

Don’t panic, be vigilant

Angara said that the first local transmission of COVID-19 did not come as too much of a surprise considering the number of people traveling in and out of the country regularly.

“What is important is that we are able to identify these cases, treat the infected and take all the necessary steps to prevent the disease from spreading,” the senator  said.

“Kung ikukumpara pa din natin ang bilang ng kaso ng COVID-19 sa Pilipinas ay di hamak na mas maganda pa din ang kalagayan natin sa ibang bansa. Pero hindi ibig sabihin nito ay magiging complacent tayo dahil tulad ng nakita natin sa ibang lugar, mabilis ang pagkalat ng sakit na ito,” he added.

(Compared to the number of cases in other countries, the situation here in the Philippines is better. But this does not mean that we will be complacent because like what we’ve seen in other areas, the virus spreads quickly).

The senator also advised the DOH to be very transparent in its reporting and for the appropriate agencies of government to take part in the dissemination of information regarding the COVID-19 cases, the ways to avoid catching the disease, and the necessary public advisories on what to do and not to do and the places to avoid.

“Information is the most essential element in addressing the situation and preventing unwanted behavior and reactions. There is too much false information going around in social media so the government should constantly come out with its reports in all forms of media,” he said.

“Wag na natin hintayin na mag panic pa ang mga tao dahil sa may nabasang mali na ulat tungkol sa COVID-19. Ilabas lang natin ang lahat ng impormasyon at sabihin kung ano dapat ang gawin,” he added.

(Let’s not wait until the public panics due to false information regarding COVID-19. Let’s release all information and what we should do in these times).