Go assures there is sufficient fund for DOH to fight coronavirus
Senator Christopher Lawrence ‘’Bong’’ Go, chairman of the Senate Health and Demography Committee yesterday assured Filipinos that government funds are sufficient and available at this time to help the Department of Health (DOH) and other concerned agencies to promptly respond to their needs amid the COVID-19 crisis.
enator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go (FACEBOOK /MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)
Go said that if the financial resources prove insufficient, he would recommend to the President that he should call for a special session so that Congress could approve a supplemental budget.
“I mentioned last week that PAGCOR (Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation) can provide an additional P2 billion. P420 million from PCSO (Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office) will also be allocated based on a proclamation issued by the President. There is also around P539 million in DOH (Department of Health) savings and P81 million from the DOH Quick Response Fund that can be utilized. We also have available Contingency Funds and NDRRMC (National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council) fund as standby sources when needed,’’ he said.
“Additionally, the declaration of a State of Public Health Emergency allows LGUs (local government units) to utilize their local disaster risk reduction management funds (LDRRMF) under RA 10121,” Go said.
He said that Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Secretary Fortunato dela Pena and Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo issued a joint statement that government funds are sufficient for DOH, DOST and UP Manila’s National Institute of Health for the production of the COVID-19 diagnostic kits and that a local private firm is capable of producing bigger quantities of these kits.
During a hearing at the House of Representatives last March 10, P1.65 billion had been certified as available for this purpose by the Bureau of Treasury.
“Congress is currently on session break and some of our colleagues are also on self-quarantine. Given the situation now, we should find ways to respond to the needs of our people, especially at this time when decisive government action is needed the most,” Go said.
“Hindi pwedeng ipagpaliban ang pagtulong natin sa mga nangangailangan (Services and assistance for those who are in need should not be deferred). Now, more than ever, we, as elected officials, must do everything we can to be of service to the Filipino people,” he stressed.
Go also appealed to the private sector, the industry players, business leaders, foundations and the like, to join hands and combine their efforts in fighting COVID-19 as “one nation, as one people.”
He emphasized that the COVID-19 threat to the safety and lives of our people continues to grow.
“While the government is doing its best, we can help contain the spread of the infection if we adopt a whole-of-society approach,” he said.
Go stressed that the private sector could help in many ways to ease the difficulties of Filipinos, and these include the release of their 13th month pay, moratorium on rental fees for renters and tenant, one month reprieve on bills payments from basic utility providers, big businesses should help small and medium scale enterprises, impose Work from home and flexible work schedule; and limit essential travels only and encourage everyone to stay at home.
"Because of the crisis we are in right now, we need to unite and do everything we could to protect the welfare of the Filipinos,” he stressed.