Duterte renews call to people to stay at home as gov’t to supply their needs

March 25, 2020

President Rodrigo Duterte has reiterated his call to the people to stay at home and follow the enhanced community quarantine being implemented by the government to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease.

In a taped televised public message on Tuesday night after his meeting with some Cabinet members at the Presidential Security Group Compound in Malacanang Park, Duterte said the security agencies are ramping up the enforcement of the National Action Plan to fight COVID-19.

"I now call on every Filipino to participate in this war by following the guidelines set by the national government and your local officials. Nothing is more important [now] than your cooperation," he said.

"I repeat: Stay at home. Don't be hard-headed. The outcome of this war depends largely on you as well," the President stressed.

He said Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana would serve as the NAP chair, with Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año as the vice chair.

"The Department of National Defense and the Department of the Interior and Local Government, along with the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police, are now ramping up the implementation of the National Action Plan or NAP, as we speak, to reinforce the efforts of the Department of Health in containing COVID-19," he said.

Aside from the DOH, DND and the DILG, he said the Department of Social Welfare and Development is also another "most important" department that is now in action.

He said the DND chief would give regular reports on the progress on the NAP.

Duterte assured the Filipinos that the entire government is working hand-in-hand to safeguard their health, safety, and well-being in the face of the threat posed by COVID-19.

"We will address all the different issues brought about by this pandemic as well as ensure the protection of all of our people, especially those who are serving in the frontline," he said.

He assured that the government would supply food, water and other essentials throughout this ordeal.

Financial assistance would also be extended especially to those vulnerable groups, he said.

"We will do everything. We will not neglect you," he said.

Duterte urged the relevant agencies to ensure the speedy delivery of basic medical supplies and equipment to health facilities.

He also urged his fellow public servants to "set aside our differences and work in solidarity to overcome this pandemic."

"We only have one common enemy and that is COVID-19. Our transparency, integrity, accountability and responsiveness are needed and I expect all of you to exercise all these in safeguarding our fellow Filipinos," he said.

In the same public message, Duterte said he was saddened by the news that the virus has claimed the lives of some Filipino doctors, whom he called as "heroes."

He said he salutes the doctors and all the health workers who sacrificed their lives for the people.

He also lauded the officials and staff of the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging and Infectious Diseases for staying on top of the situation, as well as to the police and military for ensuring peace and order in these trying times.

The President also thanked the frontliners who ensure that basic services are provided to the people; the members of the private sector who are foregoing profit to alleviate the suffering of the people; and the Congress for granting the executive department with special powers through the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act.

"I look forward to the day that we Filipinos can finally claim victory [in] this war and emerge as a stronger and more united Filipinos and Philippines," the President said. Celerina Monte/DMS