By Noreen Jazul
Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said some P95-million worth of personal protective equipment (PPEs) has been procured by the government amid the reported rapid depletion of the protective gear used to fight the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Department of Health Secretary Francisco Duque III (CZAR DANCEL / MANILA BULLETIN)
"Meron na tayong mga procurement, iyong proseso inaayos na. Inaantay na lang natin iyong PITC (Philippine International Trading Corp.) para mag-deliver," Duque told DZMM radio on Wednesday.
"Nagkakaroon ng worldwide shortage eh...Siyempre inuuna nila ngayon kung saan may local transmission, pero sabi ko, 'hindi,' kailangan araw arawin, kailangan pukpukin natin itong mga suppliers. Wala tayong choice. Talagang kailangan iyong demand natin ay mapagbigyan," he added.
Duque said the Department of Health (DOH) has allotted P530 million for the procurement of supplies while waiting for Congress' approval of its P2 billion supplementary budget.
"Mahalaga ito kaya nga ito ay kaagad-agaran namang inaprubahan ni Pangulong Duterte pero syempre kinakailangan din ng mababang kapulungan, yung approval nila."
"Ganon pa man, ang DBM naman ay sumulat sa akin at sinabi na may mga items sila na nakita na pwede ito naman muna ang gamitin pansamantala,” he added.
Read more: Protective gear to fight virus ‘rapidly depleting’: WHO