MANILA – Vice President Leni Robredo lambasted the Duterte administration for its lack of sense of urgency in responding to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
Robredo pointed out Thursday there were gaps in the government’s response to the virus such as dilly-dallying in cancelling flights from China after the country recorded its first cases at the end of January this year.
“My sense is that we did not act urgently kaya nararamdaman natin ngayon ‘yung mga gaps. Kasi naging complacent tayo at the very start,” Robredo said in an interview with ABS-CBN News Channel.
“If you remember, our first cases started end of January. And we were still not determined at the time on what steps to take. Kung naaalala natin, we had been pushing for cancellation of flights already from China. Medyo nag dilly dally pa tayo doon e,” she added.
The Philippines had its first COVID-19 case on January 30, a 38-year-old Chinese woman from Wuhan. It was on February 2 when President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the temporary travel ban on visitors from mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau.
The Vice President also took a hit on the slow the procurement of personal protective equipment (PPEs).
“Pagkatapos nun, nung finally nag-ECQ (enhanced community quarantine) na tayo, parang walang sense of urgency in providing PPEs for our frontliners,” Robredo said.
“Sa akin, bilisan na iyon because even if we ease the lockdown already… if people are still afraid to go out, wala e, iyong negosyo maghihirap. ‘Pag naghirap ang negosyo, damay ang lahat,” she added.
In response, Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said in a virtual press conference that it was not only the Philippines who are behind in COVID-19 response as the pandemic was felt worldwide.
“Buong mundo po, we’re far from defeating Covid-19,” Roque said. “I invite the good Vice President to just ask what she needs to know, that’s part of my job as spokesperson.”/PN
