Former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has attended the Lower House’s meeting on the government’s measures to fight the Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
The House Committee on Economic Affairs has particularly discussed the plausible actions to be taken for the recovery of the Philippine economy which has been gravely affected by the health crisis.
According to Former President Arroyo, she has ultimate respect on how President Rodrigo R. Duterte, the National Task Force against COVID-19 Chief Implementer Secretary Carlo Galvez Jr., and Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Francisco Duque III are managing the situation.
She has also acknowledged the sacrifices of the country’s frontliners as they perform their duties.
“I have been in the arena [of fighting pandemics] so I think I have earned the right to say that an ounce of their effort is worth more than the ton of criticism they receive day in and day out…. delivering goods, manning grocery stores, keeping branches open, congressional halls functioning.”
The former Philippine President faced the SARS crisis in 2003 and other outbreaks under her term. The solons are asking for her views on finding the balance between the economy and public health in times of crisis.
Pres. Arroyo opined, “as far as the period of resurgence is concerned, we’ve seen Pres. Duterte in this crisis… if there is a resurgence, we are confident to take remedial measures.”
Report from Daniel Manalastas
