President Rodrigo Duterte is prepared to lift the enhanced community quarantine in Luzon if an antibody treatment against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been formulated.
The President has stated in his recent public address that a company has been developing a potential treatment for the virus which is tentatively set for release to the market in May.
He has also warned hospitals that deny patients admission or treatment.
“So ‘pag totoo ‘yan, I will really ask the Justice Department to prosecute you. Lahat na magkasakit, heart attack, appendicitis, pumutok ang kung anong puputok diyan, pumutok ‘yung utak (If it’s true, I will really ask the Justice Department to prosecute you. Everyone that is ill, heart attack, appendicitis, any bursting), especially government hospital, my order is: must accept admission. You fail on that, I will relieve all of you [in the] hospital and you can consider yourself suspended because the written order will follow.”
The Chief Executive has reiterated the importance of physical distancing in preventing the spread of COVID-19.
“Kayong mga mayors, huwag kayong maglaro kasi ang ayaw ninyo mag-social distancing mapipilitan ako puntahan kita at arestuhin kita. Ayaw kong mag-aresto ng mayor. (Mayors, don’t play around because you don’t like social distancing, I will be forced to come and arrest you. I don’t want to arrest a mayor.) There seems to be a lack of uniformity in the matter of enforcing the distance rule, ‘yung social distancing. Alam mo ‘pag hindi natin ito susunod, walang mangyari. (If this is not followed, nothing will change.)”
The President has also called for a meeting regarding more stringent measures in implementing the efforts of the government in eradicating the virus. Part of their priorities in their discussion is the proposed aid to middle-class families.
According to Department of Finance (DOF) Undersecretary Karl Chua, some 3.4 million workers are affected by the crisis — 2.6 million in the BIR Alphalist who have first dibs to receive assistance and the 800 thousand workers, whose employers did not comply with the BIR, are second priority. – Report from Mela Lesmoras
