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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Sotto: Gov't offices should remain operational amid COVID-19 risk

Sotto: Gov't offices should remain operational amid COVID-19 risk

Published Mar 12, 2020 12:00 am
By Vanne Elaine Terrazola Government offices should remain open and "completely" operational amid the rising number of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases in the country, Senate President Vicente Sotto III said Thursday. Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III (Czar Dancel / MANILA BULLETIN) Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III (Czar Dancel / MANILA BULLETIN) In a statement, Sotto said while the health of government workers must remain a priority, public service should not be sacrificed. Government employees should continue to report for work, he added. "The Filipino people need their government at this time when their welfare is at risk," the Senate leader said. "They expect government leaders to be on the lookout for them. Decisions must be made. Actions must be taken. Orders must be enforced. We must not turn our backs on our people, we cannot escape and hide in the comforts of our homes." Sotto also said "a lockdown should be the last option," but public servants should observe the strictest precautionary measures so they will not be infected with COVID-19. Earlier, Sotto clarified that the Senate is only under "restricted access" and not a lockdown, after a resource person in a hearing last March 5 turned out to be a COVID-19 patient. He said the Senate has to "continue to function," adding they should not "let the threat and scare of an infection distract us from work." At least 11 senators have volunteered to undergo self-quarantine as a pre-emptive measure against COVID-19.
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