The decision on whether to continue or stop the implementation of tightened physical distancing among public transportation passengers is now up to President Rodrigo Duterte.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque disclosed that the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) has already submitted its recommendation to President Duterte on this. He is expected to announce the decision soon.
“Nakabase po ito sa siyensa at sa mga advice ng mga doctor dahil ang mga doctor iba-iba rin po ang mga pananaw. Wala pong isang opinyon pagdating dito sa pagbawas ng isang dangkal lang naman na social distancing sa pampublikong mga transportation (It is based on science and doctors’ advice since doctors have varying opinions. There is no single opinion on this matter),” Roque explained.
Roque said the IATF-EID is also discussing other matters to improve the response of the government on the pandemic.
He also responded to the appeal of Vice President Leni Robredo to boost COVID-19 testing in the country as 30,000 tests per day is not enough.
“Of course, nothing will ever be enough for someone na hindi nakakakita ng mabuti sa pamahalaan. Pero sa ngayon po, pinakamataas na po ang testing natin sa Southeast Asia, mas mataas pa po sa Korea at Japan, at ipagpapatuloy pa natin ito (Of course, nothing will ever be enough for someone who doesn’t see any good in the government. But for now, we have the highest testing in Southeast Asia, even higher than Korea and Japan, and we will continue doing so),” Roque countered. – Report from Mela Lesmoras
