By Charissa Luci-Atienza
Rep. Rozzano Ruffino Biazon of the lone district of Muntinlupa questioned on Wednesday (Feb. 5) the absence of Health Secretary Francisco Duque III from the House committee on Metro Manila development hearing on the government's efforts to fight the spread of the 2019 novel coronavirus (nCoV).
Muntinlupa City Rep. Rozzano Rufino "Ruffy" Biazon (Congressman Ruffy Biazon / FACEBOOK)
He said Duque, as the "overall manager" handling the crisis, should have attended the hearing to personally relay to the House panel, chaired by Manila Rep. Manny Lopez, the DOH's key initiatives on how to address the spread of nCoV.
"On the way to this hearing, I heard over the radio that the secretary is on the way to Nueva Ecija to inspect a proposed containment facility. So I guess this shows the type of priorities that the secretary has.
“As the overall in charge of handling this crisis, I believe he should have been here. Hindi 'yung taga-inspektor na lang ng mga kwarto. (Not to act as an inspector of rooms)," Biazon said.
"So to the Department of Health, we appreciate your presence but I’m very sure that there will be questions here that you will be unable to answer."
Lopez said Duque "has asked to be excused" because "he is in the province to look for a quarantine place."
Presidential Spokesperson Salvador S. Panelo has disclosed that Duque reported that the DOH "is now preparing Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija as a quarantine area, which can accommodate 10,000 individuals."
Muntinlupa City Rep. Rozzano Rufino "Ruffy" Biazon (Congressman Ruffy Biazon / FACEBOOK)
He said Duque, as the "overall manager" handling the crisis, should have attended the hearing to personally relay to the House panel, chaired by Manila Rep. Manny Lopez, the DOH's key initiatives on how to address the spread of nCoV.
"On the way to this hearing, I heard over the radio that the secretary is on the way to Nueva Ecija to inspect a proposed containment facility. So I guess this shows the type of priorities that the secretary has.
“As the overall in charge of handling this crisis, I believe he should have been here. Hindi 'yung taga-inspektor na lang ng mga kwarto. (Not to act as an inspector of rooms)," Biazon said.
"So to the Department of Health, we appreciate your presence but I’m very sure that there will be questions here that you will be unable to answer."
Lopez said Duque "has asked to be excused" because "he is in the province to look for a quarantine place."
Presidential Spokesperson Salvador S. Panelo has disclosed that Duque reported that the DOH "is now preparing Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija as a quarantine area, which can accommodate 10,000 individuals."