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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Poe supports state of calamity declaration, says more funds needed to fight COVID-19

Poe supports state of calamity declaration, says more funds needed to fight COVID-19

Published Mar 18, 2020 12:00 am
By Vanne Elaine Terrazola  Senator Grace Poe on Wednesday expressed support for President Duterte's declaration of a state of calamity in the country, saying this will allow concerned government agencies to immediately respond to people's needs in the fight against coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Senator Grace Poe (Senate of the Philippines official Facebook page / MANILA BULLETIN) Senator Grace Poe
(Senate of the Philippines official Facebook page / File photo / MANILA BULLETIN) "Sang-ayon ako na ilagay ang ating bansa sa state of calamity upang lalong mapaigting ang pagtugon ng pamahalaan kasama ang mga local government units sa lumalalang problema dulot ng COVID-19 (I am in favor of placing our country under a state of calamity so that the government, including local government units, can further strengthen its response to the problems arising from COVID-19)," Poe said in a statement. "The decision is necessary to bolster sweeping relief and emergency efforts to contain the outbreak and at the same time ease the burden of our frontliners and ordinary citizens as we come to grips with this public health crisis," she added. She appealed to the government to make sure that emergency funds are properly allocated and to prioritize "the much-needed equipment of hospitals to serve the growing number of infected patients, the protective gears and food of healthcare workers and other frontliners, and the procurement of testing kits." The declaration of state of calamity allows the national government and local government units to use the quick response funds, or calamity funds, to enhance disaster-response efforts; and program and reprogram funds for the repair and upgrading of public infrastructures and facilities. "Sa panahong ito, kinakailangan natin ng mas malaking pondo hindi lamang para malabanan at maiwasan ang pagkalat ng sakit, kundi para mabigyan rin ng karampatang tulong ang ating mga kababayan (In these times, we need much bigger funds not only to fight and prevent the spread of disease, but also to give appropriate assistance to our countrymen)," Poe said. As of Wednesday, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the Philippines has reached 202. Deaths rose to 17. Seven patients, on the other hand, have recovered from the disease. An enhanced community quarantine has been implemented over Luzon to counter COVID-19. READ MORE: Entire Luzon under quarantine
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