Malacañang yesterday assured the public that the government is ready for any situation after President Duterte declared a State of Public Health Emergency due to the confirmation of a local transmission of the novel coronavirus disease-2019.
Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said the government is ready to respond to the needs of the public and health workers, and even additional funding to address the disease.
“Naka-ready na naman tayo for whatever eventuality na mangyari. Ready tayo diyan,” he said.
“Sa funding naman ‘di ba ang DoH merong hinihinging P2-billion supplemental fund. Nire-ready na ‘yun,” he added.
President Duterte last Saturday agreed to the DoH recommendation to declare a State of Public Health Emergency after Health Secretary Francisco Duque III confirmed the sixth COVID-19 case in the country. Panelo said a copy of the executive order on Duterte’s declaration will be released today.
Panelo, however, asked the public not to believe reports circulating online that Duque recommended the declaration of the State of Public Health Emergency as early as Feb. 21.
“Walang sinasabi si Secretary Duque, otherwise, sinabi niya na ‘yun. Hanggang walang sinasabi si Secretary Duque, ‘wag kayo maniniwala,” he said. (Argyll Geducos)
