Malacañang emphasized that the government measures in combatting COVID-19 in the country are working amid the increase in the number of confirmed cases.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said if authorities did not act on the situation, millions of individuals could have been affected by the disease.
However, Secretary Roque admitted he was saddened by the status of the current case count which reached the 60,000 mark by mid-July, ahead of the projected date of the researchers from the University of the Philippines (UP).
“Well, ngayon, nagkatotoo na nga. Hindi pa tapos ang buwan. Nakakalungkot po ‘yan, at nagbago pa sila ng forecast na mas marami ang magkakasakit ng COVID-19. (It has come true. The month is not over yet. That is saddening, and they even raised their forecast to a higher count for those who will be infected with COVID-19),” Roque said.
“Ang sa akin lang po, mga kababayan, nasa kamay po natin ang kalusugan. Kinakailangan, hugas, mask. At kinakailangan po, kung hindi naman kinakailangan, manatili pa rin sa mga tahanan (My countrymen, our health is in our hands. We need to wash and wear a mask. If it’s not necessary, stay home),” he appealed.
– Report from Mela Lesmoras