President Rodrigo R. Duterte has submitted his 11th weekly report to Congress on the continuous fight against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
President Duterte reported that 15,386 individuals have already finished training as contact tracers who will play a huge role in controlling the spread of COVID-19 in the Philippines. He also stated that the Department of Health (DOH) is attending to the acquisition of the Avigan doses from Japan for testing on more than 100 patients.
The Philippine General Hospital (PGH) has started to look for patients to take part in the clinical trials using virgin coconut oil (VCO) that is expected to last for a year.
In relation to the government’s aid to Filipinos gravely affected by the pandemic, the President has stated that all beneficiaries under the COVID-19 Adjustment Measures Program (CAMP) and the Tulong Panghanapbuhay Para sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced workers (TUPAD) program have successfully received the assistance.
President Duterte also reported that two loan agreements, the USD500 Million Emergency COVID-19 Response Development Policy Loan and USD400 Million Loan Agreement with the Asian Development Bank, have been signed by the Department of Finance (DOF) to support the current response of the government to the effect of the crisis.
The Chief Executive reminded that the grace period for loans and credit card payments are no longer effective since the lifting of the Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine on June 1. – Report from Mela Lesmoras
