14 March 2020
Social Development Network advocates for clearer directives and comprehensive plan involving the poorest sectors and frontline health workers
Quezon City, Philippines – Rather than be enlightened and feel safe, people have become more frustrated and confused, following President Rodrigo Duterte’s press conference last night, 12 March 2020 as indicated in many social media postings. The press conference was most awaited given the prior announcement by the World Health Organization that the spread is now pandemic and the continuing increase of monitored numbers in the country. People expected to hear the government’s plans to manage the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
The President declared a one-month community quarantine starting March 15 until April 12. However, he just read through the resolution proposed by the inter-agency task force on COVID-19 and promised that an executive order with more details will be released soon and giving to different government agencies the task of detailing measures of stopping the spread of the deadly virus.
“This is unacceptable. What we want to hear from a President is a decisive and concrete plan of action to stop contagion specially detailing measures for the most vulnerable constituents of his country. Giving a lead time to implement the lockdown is opening-up a wider window to spreading the virus all over the country and not containing it,” Yolanda Esguerra, PMPI National Coordinator said.
In the midst of the continuous and fast increase of the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases and deaths, it seems the Department of Health (DOH) grapples at monitoring, tracing, reporting of cases.
“The Filipinos need truthful and fast reporting of cases. We understand the principle of confidentiality of those infected. But in the minimum, we expect a full disclosure of the location of these cases to make communities aware and take extra care in their social engagements,” Cecil de Joya of Medical Action Group said.
Citing positively the quick responses of schools and some local governments concerned, the group reiterated that children, senior citizens, persons with health challenges should be identified and taken-cared of in the barangay or local government level. Reporting and monitoring structure in the barangay level through the BHW’s should be incorporated in the plan. Aside from the vulnerable groups in a community, the needs of the poorer communities and sectors like the urban poor, ordinary workers who will lose their daily wages because of the quarantine in NCR should receive support from government.
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