By Hannah Torregoza  President Duterte has approved “in principle” the release of P2.25 billion for the procurement of protective gear for health workers and an additional P10 million for the procurement of face masks. Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Francisco Duque III disclosed this on Tuesday during the Senate health and demography committee’s initial investigation into the Philippine government’s response to the novel coronavirus (nCoV). Department of Health Secretary Francisco Duque III (CZAR DANCEL / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN) “The President has approved in principle the budget of P2.25-billion for the procurement of personnel protective equipment (PPE) in the assumption that 5,000 healthcare workers will need this,” Duque told the panel chaired by Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go. The health secretary said the face masks are essential to the health workers as they have to go on duty round-the-clock at this time in their effort to combat nCoV. “This is going to be on the assumption that these will last for 90 days or three months and multiplied by three shifts, because the care has to be round the clock and the total amount would be P2.25 billion, plus of course P10 million for surgical masks,” Duque added. Each set of PPE includes headgear, goggles, N95 masks, gloves, apron, and gowns, and costs around P1,500. On the same day, Duque said the President reassured the public with transparency that the Philippine government is capable of addressing the nCoV. “This is not the first time, we have been besieged by a similar coronavirus in 2002 and 2003, as well as the MersCOV in 2014 and 2015,” he pointed out. “It is very important that we should be able to heighten all the interventions needed to respond to mount an effective response to these emerging infectious diseases.” The country now has two confirmed cases of the nCoV. The second person, a companion of a Chinese woman who was the first to be confirmed having the coronavirus, is the first fatality outside of China. According to the DOH, 80 suspected cases have been recorded, but 30 of them have tested negative for the virus. READ MORE: PH reports 1st coronavirus death In his opening statement, Go maintained that the government acted swiftly to contain the nCoV despite the late imposition of a travel ban on visitors from mainland China. “Since Day 1, the whole Duterte administration has said that they have been on top of the situation and are doing everything they can to address the issue. The President, and even a key official from the World Health Organization (WHO), has commended the efforts of this government in responding to this worldwide health concern,” Go said. READ MORE: China’s virus death toll spikes, more than SARS “Allow me also to take this time to emphasize that despite criticisms, the President believes that this government has acted swiftly and has made timely and informed decisions to protect our country. “We cannot please everybody. The WHO did not declare an outbreak immediately and did not even recommend a travel ban. Despite this, the government imposed the temporary travel ban as an additional precautionary measure to protect the people in our country,” he added. Go also emphasized that the government should not be singling out Chinese nationals in its effort to address the issue. “We empathize with China given what they are going through, but we are putting these precautionary measures in place to protect the country and its people. “As part of a community, the Philippine government should be committed to assist other affected countries address this worldwide health concern,” Go said. READ MORE: Face masks ‘reserved’ for health workers, patients