Escudero: Duterte admin could have improved its pandemic response

Sorsogon Gov. Francis “Chiz” Escudero. Photo from Sorsogon Provincial Information Office

MANILA, Philippines — While acknowledging that all nations had shortcomings in handling the pandemic, former senator and now Sorsogon Gov. Francis “Chiz” Escudero said Wednesday that President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration could have improved its pandemic response.

During the Kapihan sa Manila Bay forum, Escudero was asked what he believes to be the programs under the Duterte administration that could have been improved or lacked attention.

“Ang pag-responde są pandemya para maiwasan sana yung pagkawala ng maraming trabaho at oportunidad, ‘yung paglobo ng utang,” Escudero said.

(In responding to pandemic in order to avoid losses of jobs and opportunities, the increasing debt.)

Escudero said that countries like Singapore were able to grow its economy despite the pandemic. He, nonetheless, acknowledged that Singapore is a more advanced country than the Philippines.

“Kumita pa sila sa pandemya na ito imbes na magkabaon-baon sa utang. Ang Singapore ngayon, sa pagkakaalam ko, hindi na ina-anunsyo ‘yung bilang at dami ng COVID-positive cases,” Escudero said.

(Actually they made income instead of accumulating debt. Singapore today, as far as I know, is no longer announcing the number of COVID-19 positive cases.)

“Tina-trato na lamang nilang parang flu ang COVID at dahil bakunado na ang mahit 85 porsyento ng populasyon nila, halos balik na sa normal ang buhay doon,” he added.

(Singapore is treating COVID like a mere flu because 85 percent of the population had already been vaccinated, their life is almost back to normal.)

Despite this, Escudero said that all countries had struggles in handling the pandemic since there is no single way to address it.

“Wala naman kasing eskwelahan para maturo kung paano i-handle ang COVID o anumang pandemya. Lahat naman ng gobyerno sa mundo nangangapa naman talaga. Lahat ng gobyerno may pagkukulang,” Escudero said.

(There is no school to educate anyone how to handle COVID or any pandemic. Almost all governments in the world are actually grappling. All government had shortcomings.)

“Pero hindi naman siguro kapintasan kung sabihing dagdagan pa,” he added.

(But it would probably not take away credit for their effort if you say that it needs more.)

As of July 21, there are 46,806 active COVID-19 cases in the country, according to the Department of Health (DOH). Total cases have reached 1,517,903, with the death toll at 26,844 and recoveries at 1,444,253.

JPV