Vice President Leni Robredo said on Tuesday that the government needs to do more other than providing hospitals, funeral parlors, and just waiting for a vaccine in dealing with problems brought about by the coronavirus pandemic.
“Di ko matiis magkaroon ng takeaways. Hindi yata sapat na basta may ospital, kama, at punerarya, ang kailangan na lang gawin ay maghintay ng vaccine (I can’t help but have takeaways. It seems not enough just to have hospitals, beds, and funeral parlors, that we only need to do is wait for a vaccine),” Robredo said in a Facebook post.
“Yung number 1 po, hindi ma sosolusyunan sa pag spray ng pesticide sa Manila galing sa eroplano (Number one is that spraying pesticide over Manila from an airplane is not a solution),” she added.
Robredo responded to President Duterte’s tirade against her on Monday night for her criticisms on the government’s response to the public health crisis.
The vice president has been very vocal against the supposed lapses in the COVID-campaign, among which are the lack of system and cohesive plan, and has suggested ways to address them.
“Huwag kayong maniwala diyan. Sus, itong mga dilawan lalo na, I hate to mention her name, but itong si Leni kung anu-anong pinagsasabi (Do not believe them. These Yellows especially, I hate to mention her name, but Leni has been saying a lot of things),” Duterte said during his public address on Monday.
”Alam mo Leni, kung gusto mo (You know Leni), if you really want to do away with COVID, spray-an natin ang Pilipinas o Manila ng pesticide galing sa eroplano para patay lahat (let’s spray the entire Philippines or Manila with pesticides so everyone dies),” he told Robredo.
But the opposition leader disagreed.
Robredo said the government’s coronavirus response should include medical and non-medical interventions to combat the virus; overcoming humanitarian emergencies including poverty, hunger, unemployment, mental distress, and other COVID-19 problems; restructuring public and private finances; and rebuilding the economy in an inclusive, resilient, and sustainable way.