By Regina Elaine Vendivil

Vice President Leni Robredo laid down pandemic plans in her 14-minute video, “Ulat ni VP Leni”, on the 27th of July—a day after President Rodrigo Duterte’s Final SONA that went on for three hours, barely mentioning the country’s fight against COVID-19.

She started by her statement about the country’s ongoing battle against the pandemic, which was left unsaid during the SONA, “Pilipino ang tumulong sa kapwa Pilipino.”

VP Robredo then continued by expressing her deepest gratitude to those who helped since the start of the pandemic, including the donors, sewers of PPEs, medical specialists, private partners, volunteers, and of course, the frontliners. 

According to the vice president, the Office of the Vice President (OVP) has been communicating with experts, and they have laid out recommendations which only the national government can implement. She has mentioned the following:

• have an improved and integrated system and database for COVID-19 testing, tracing, and treatment
• easier access of the communities to the COVID-19 vaccines
• review of sin tax collections to possibly allocate them as funds for the pandemic
• ensure that the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation will be able to pay their debts to hospitals 
• proper implementation of the Universal Healthcare Law
• passing of the Bayanihan 3 bill
• offering loans to small businesses
• livelihood assistance for those who lost their jobs due to the pandemic
• retraining for laborers so they can keep up with the modernized industries
• allocating more funds to the education sector 

More details about the said recommendations can be seen on her Facebook page in the coming days.

“Walang ibang dapat tutukan sa mga panahong ito kundi ang pandemya at ang kanyang mga epekto. All hands on deck, laser-like focus ang kailangan,” said Robredo. 

(In these times, there is nothing else to focus on but the pandemic and its effects. All hands on deck, laser-like focus is needed)

She added that these pandemic plans should be reflected in the national budget, agendas of the meetings of the officials, and memorandums that are to be handed down to the bureaucracy. 

“Kung magkakabit ng billboard at tarp, sana tungkol sa kung paanong makakaiwas sa sakit. Kung may ipapagawa sa isang batalyong graphic artist, sana ang layunin para dumami pa ang magpapabakuna,” said the VP Robredo. 

(If billboards and tarpaulins are to be put up, hopefully, it’s about how to avoid getting sick. If we ask for the service of a battalion of graphic artists, let it be for a vaccination drive.)

Towards the end of her video, she encouraged the nation to help each through the current problems and challenges as she said, “Puwede tayong magkaisa.”

“Ang tanging paraan para madaig ang krisis ng pandemya— ang tanging paraan para maabot ang pinamatatayog nating mithiin— ay ang kumilos nang magkakasama… Buong-buo pa rin ang tiwala ko sa sambayanang Pilipino,” Robredo concluded her speech. 

(The only way to overcome the pandemic crisis— the only way to reach our nation’s goal— is to act together… I still have full confidence in the Filipino people)

To be updated on the mentioned recommendations, visit VP Leni Robredo’s official Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/VPLeniRobredoPH/

References: 

Cepeda, M. (2021, July 27). Robredo counters Duterte’s SONA, outlines pandemic plan in 14 minutes. Rappler. Retrieved from https://www.rappler.com/nation/robredo-counters-duterte-sona-2021-outlines-covid-19-plan-minutes?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Twitter#Echobox=1627397707-1

Leni Robredo. (2021, July 27). Ulat sa Bayan ni VP Leni (27 July 2021) [Video]. YouTube. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S3l7mQg4I7A 

Photo Source: Rappler.com