LAST week, Congress granted President Rodrigo Duterte temporary powers to be able to fight and succeed against the COVID-19 crisis.
Initially, the bill was called Bayanihan Act of 2020. However, when it was granted it was called the Bayanihan To Heal As One Act.
Under the said law, the Office of the President should submit a weekly report to Congress every Monday on how it has been addressing the pandemic especially that the President now has additional funds and commands over various agencies.
Personally, I joined the bandwagon of waiting and knowing what will be the report of the President, especially because we need to hear something good and optimistic.
I know that not all was able to watch the live stream of the national address of the President on the COVID-19 pandemic. In this article, I would like to share the substance or summary of his speech.
The President spoke about the actions which the government is now undertaking as well as several key measures to overcome and recover from the effects of this pandemic. There were three main priorities:
* providing emergency assistance to affected sectors
* securing facilities and resources for the health sector
* performing fiscal and monetary actions for the economy
On the first priority, the government has launched the largest and widest social protection program in the country’s history. It has allotted P200 billion for low-income households badly affected by the current crisis.
It has ensured that there will be continuous and steady supply of food, goods and other essential supplies and items. There is also a price freeze on commodities to avoid hoarding and profiteering.
There is also a recovery package especially to micro, small and medium enterprises to deal with the economic effects of the pandemic.
The President also addressed the country’s farmers and fisherfolk; they will receive support from the government to ensure food productivity, availability and sufficiency during the period of the pandemic.
On the second priority, the government is marshalling and deploying its resources to provide for our frontline healthcare workers with everything they require so they can save as many lives as possible.
To make this possible, the government is now procuring medical supplies, devices and personal protective equipment. Also, it has raised its capacity to test more broadly to take a fuller and more accurate picture of the spread of COVID-19 in the country.
There will be more medical facilities and laboratories in the coming weeks.
On the third priority, the President issued an order through the Executive Secretary laying down the responsibilities of each department or government agencies. This is to properly implement the Bayanihan Act. The President has also given the local government units (LGUs) marching orders to help and assist the Office of the President.
As of this writing, the total number of cases is 1,546, with 78 deaths, and 42 recoveries.
This cannot be resolved overtime. Let us do our part and hope for the best. (ayindream.aplasca@gmail.com/PN)
