The Davao City provincial government is fast-tracking the procurement process for materials to build an oxygen plant in the city.
In an interview on Monday (Sept. 13), Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio said the budget for the plant warehouse is ₱11 million, while for 1,000 oxygen tanks with regulators it is ₱12 million.
“This is part of our disaster funds and lahat ito priority natin right now. But in reality, sa government procurement medyo matagal talaga ‘yan, at mayroon talagang mahabang time period. But according sa allowed sa law na pwede siyang mapabilisan, ‘yan ang ginagawa natin ngayon,” she said.
In relation to this, the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) is currently experiencing a shortage. Duterte added that a doctor’s prescription is now required to purchase an oxygen tank to address the shortage in the city.
The city also said that records show 91.13% or 3,011 of the 3,304 COVID-19 cases from Sept. 5 to Sept. 11 are unvaccinated persons, while only 293 have received at least one COVID-19 jab. Moreover, 93.22% of the 59 COVID-19–related deaths in the city during the same period were unvaccinated, while four deaths were recorded among vaccinated individuals.
“Makikita natin na ‘di na kailangang mamili ng bakuna because there is that chance sa lahat ng klase ng bakuna na mag-positive pa rin sa COVID-19,” Mayor Duterte said.
“Ang importante lang, hindi tayo severe o critical case na kailangang pumasok sa ospital at magpaalaga sa ating mga doctors and healthcare workers na overwhelmed na; pagod na sila, wala sa silang pahinga at takot na sila. In fact, recently namatayan sila sa SPMC ng health worker,” she added.
The Davao City mayor also announced that the provincial government is set to release the home isolation guidelines for mild and asymptomatic COVID-19 patients. However, she emphasized that home isolation for high-risk individuals or severe and critical cases is not allowed.
“May guidelines na. It only needs to be released to the public. Ginawa na siya ng ating health group of the response cluster of the COVID-19 Task Force. Nag-usap na sila sa district health offices natin kung paano mag-manage ng home isolation.”
Hugpong Para Kay Sara
Meanwhile, groups from various sectors as well as some lawmakers launched on Monday (Sep. 13) a citizens’ movement called Hugpong Para kay Sara (HPS) that aims to urge Mayor Sara Duterte to run for the presidency in the 2022 elections.
“I hope this is one step, itong launching na to, sana po ay makita niya, marami kami, maraming sumasama para magmakaawa sa kanya na maawa sa ating bansa para tumakbo bilang pangulo,” HPS spokesperson and Bagong Henerasyon party-list Rep. Bernadette Herrera said.
In its oath-taking ceremony, the group urged President Rodrigo Roa Duterte to reconsider his decision in running for the vice presidency, in order to pave the way for his daughter to run for the country’s highest position.
Herrera said the presidential daughter is the “most qualified” to effectively lead the country for the next six years.
“Alam nating hindi ito madaling desisyon para kay Mayor Sara, kaya bilang mga mamamayang naniniwala sa kanyang kakayahan at liderato, sa kanyang tibay at puso, binuo natin ang isang samahang gagabay kay Mayor Sara sa pagdedesisyon niya sa pagtakbo sa Eleksyon 2022,” she said.
The Davao City mayor on Sep. 9 confirmed she will not run for any national position in the 2022 national elections.
READ MORE: http://152.42.253.13/sara-duterte-will-not-run-for-a-national-position-in-2022/
Report from Hanna Salcedo, Daniel Manalastas, PNA/NGS- jlo
