President Rodrigo Roa Duterte ordered the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) to guarantee the immediate assistance of COVID-19 patients.
In his weekly public address Monday evening, President Duterte appealed to PhilHealth to use its resources for its response to the needs of the patients. He told its President Dante Gierran that it is not the time for the agency to be frugal especially now that the nation is facing the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Sabi ko kay Gierran, huwag kang magtipid. Hindi ito panahon sa tipid. Ilarga mo lahat ‘yan kailangan ng tao. Maski hindi pa kailangan ilagay mo lang diyan tutal aabot rin ‘yan. [I told Gierran, do not be thrifty. This is not the time to be frugal. Respond to all the needs of the people. Even if it is still not needed, just place it there, it will be needed soon].”
Report from PTV News/NGS-jbb