By Pearl Gumapos
Experts say that more than a year into the fight against COVID-19, the government has proven competent in its response toward the ongoing pandemic.
“Maraming tumutuligsa sa ating administration, pero pinakita ng ating…Pangulong Duterte ang kanyang leadership capability, ‘yung strong leadership niya para labanan natin itong COVID-19,” National Task Force Against COVID-19 special adviser Dr. Teodoro Herbosa said.
Increasing healthcare personnel numbers
For her part, medical expert Dr. Annaliza Ong-Lim praised the government’s efforts with regard to augmenting the numbers of health sector personnel.
“Nagkaroon naman ng magandang effort na mag-encourage ng additional manpower support,” she said.
“Kinilala naman na kailangang-kailangan madagdagan ‘yung medical personnel na tumatayo sa mga health facilities. I think hindi naman nagkulang na mag-open up ng mga positions [at] magbigay ng opportunities.”
Constructing more healthcare facilities
With the help of the private sector, the government was also able to construct more health care facilities.
“Nag-convert tayo ng malalaking mega facilities – ’yung World Trade Centers, Rizal Memorial Coliseum, ‘yung Mall of Asia ginawa nating swabbing center,” Herbosa said.
“We converted big arenas [like] ‘yung Philippine Arena. [Ang] mga hotel, at dahil wala namang kita ang mga hotel, inalok natin ang mga hotels na gawin silang isolation facility ng either positive or [suspected] cases,” Herbosa said.
He added that the government had been gradually reopening the economy, but then COVID-19 variants began entering the country.
“Nag-umpisa na tayong magbukas ng mga hanapbuhay. Nag-umpisa na ng kalakaran para kumita ang ating mga kababayan at magkaroon uli ng trabaho, pero pinasok tayo nitong mga variant, kasalanan ba ng gobyerno ang variants? Hindi eh, ang variant yan po ang nangyari sa pandemya. Lalaban pa rin tayo. Nasa giyera pa rin tayo. Nakikipaglaban pa rin tayo [para] sa ating buhay,” Herbosa said.
Passing legislation
The government has also passed legislation to help alleviate the economic effects of the pandemic, including the Bayanihan to Heal As One Act and Bayanihan to Recover As One Act, which granted the President the right to directly address the COVID-19 crisis by allocating funds to around 18 million poor families in the informal sector.
The Department of Budget and Management in a statement dated last April said it has released a total of P646.97 billion under the Bayanihan Laws, with P387.17 billion allotted for the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act and P259.8 billion for the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act.
Implementing National Action Plan
Meanwhile, the government also spearheaded the National Action Plan which guides efforts for the health and economic recovery of the Philippines as it faces the “new normal.”
Strategizing vaccine supply
As for the limited supply of vaccines, the government has come up with a strategy to address that issue as well.
“As [a] strategy to address limited global supply, we have developed a vaccine portfolio wherein we simultaneously negotiate with several vaccine makers in order to ensure a steady and secure supply of anti-COVID vaccines,” vaccine czar Sec. Carlito Galvez Jr. said.
“Bubuhos po ang ating vaccines this June. Lahat ng orders din natin darating ng July, August, hanggang sa huling buwan. Pag nagkaroon po ng full vaccination program, makaka-vaccinate tayo ng 500,000 a day,” he added. – jlo
