Both leaders of the Congress believe that the Philippine government can still improve its COVID-19 pandemic response, as they mentioned refined plans to continue addressing the crisis.
“We can do more. I think even the President is not satisfied, ‘di ba (right)?” House of Representatives Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano admitted.
“I do think that all the departments are working very hard, but I do think that there’s so much more that can be done,” he added.
Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III said officials could have had a “foresight” of the pandemic, adding that a program or legislation that will help control similar crises should be in place.
“Dapat ito we were already able to come up with a legislation that will have a nationwide program, health program,” Sotto said.
He also noted how unprecedented the crisis is, and how the entire globe is struggling in fighting the novel virus.
“Most of the countries in the world were not ready; we were not ready. So hopefully, government has learned from this and we will be able to come up with better plans and programs to handle this pandemic and future epidemics and pandemics,” he said.
Sotto also made it a point to acknowledge that criticisms will always be present, but asked for the public’s understanding during these trying times.
“Continue to scrutinize and be involved with government and voice out our sentiments, yes. But of course we should try also to try and understand the situation the government is in,” he said.
