Isko says first step to economic recovery is building field hospitals in every region

Manila Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso during the groundbreaking ceremony for the Pres. Corazon C. Aquino General Hospital

MANILA, Philippines — Should Manila Mayor Isko Moreno win the presidency in 2022, his economic recovery plan would start with building more hospitals, including field hospitals in every region, to address the COVID-19 pandemic.

Moreno explained this on Monday, after the groundbreaking ceremony for the P110 million-worth General Hospital near the Baseco compound in Manila, adding that he would try to replicate what he has done in the city for the entire country.

This will be his way of striking a balance between health and livelihood to prevent more COVID-19 infections and, at the same time, resurrect the economy.

“Nagtayo ako ng sampung palapag (I built 10-story) fully air conditioned hospitals. Is that possible in 17 regions? Or more or less 80 provinces. Yes, it can be replicated,” Moreno said.

“Can we build more COVID field hospitals for 2023 and 2024? Yes, so we can move on with our lives, para makapaghanapbuhay kayo. Pag nainfect kayo, may ospital para sa inyo,” he added.

(Yes, so we can move on with our lives so that you can work and make a livelihood.  If you get infected, you have a hospital available for you.)

Second, he said that cash aids must be given to Filipinos, not only for workers but also for students and senior citizens affected by the COVID-19 pandemic — which would allow money to flow in and help revitalize the local economy.

“The velocity of money, pag nilalabas mo (ang) pera ng gobyerno through infrastructure projects para sagutin (at) sugpuin yung social, perennial problem, which is housing, then you generate more business sa magsesemento, magbabakal, magkakahoy,” he said.

(The velocity of money, if you pull out the government’s money through infrastructure projects to address and end the social, perennial problem, which is housing, then you generate more business within the construction industry, for those making cement, metal, and woodworks.)

“Then pag may negosyo, may trabaho. Pag may trabaho, may kakayanang bumili ng bigas, suka, kalamansi, ulam,” he added.

(Then if there are businesses, there are jobs.  When you have jobs, the people can buy rice, vinegar, calamansi, and their viand.)

Then, he claimed that he would lower electricity costs through tax cuts, which he believes would help the Philippines attract foreign direct investments and manufacturing companies due to lower electricity rates.

This would then create more jobs for the country.

“Di ko mapapababa yung cost of production ng kuryente. Pero yung gagamit ng kuryente, mababa presyo sa kanya. Bakit? Babawasan ko yung buwis sa kuryente,” he said.

“Pag binawasan ko ang buwis sa kuryente, sino ang nawalan? Gobyerno. Sino ang kumita? Nakatipid ang tao,” he added.

Moreno is one of the candidates vying for the presidency in the 2022 national elections, including Vice President Leni Robredo, labor leader Leody de Guzman, Senators Panfilo Lacson, Manny Pacquiao, and Ronald dela Rosa, and former senator Bongbong Marcos.

According to Moreno, who is running under Aksyon Demokratiko with online personality and physician Willie Ong as his running mate, he will bring a policy of quick action to problems, similar to his principle in managing Manila — which he considers a prototype.

READ: Manila Mayor Isko Moreno formally announces 2022 presidential bid