"Ano pang hinihingi nila?"
(What more are they asking for?)
These were the words of Health Secretary Francisco Duque III as he expressed opposition to the proposal to lift the state of public health emergency across the country amid a relatively low number of COVID-19 cases nationwide.
"Ano pa ba naman ang gusto nila? Diyos ko naman, full capacity operation na. Halos lahat ng economic activities natin ay halos restored na 100%," he told DZRH in an interview. "Ano pang hinihingi nila?"
(What else do they want? My god, we’re already in full capacity operation. Almost all economic activities are almost restored at 100%. What more are they asking for?)
According to Duque, the Department of Health wants to remain cautious over such proposals in order to not waste the country's progress amid the pandemic.
"Tayo ay prudent 'yung lagi nating posisyon dito. We do not want to throw caution to the wind," he said.
(Our position is to always remain prudent. We do not want to throw caution to the wind.)
He asked authorities to slow down on their decisions, citing the low number of cases despite earlier projections of the COVID-19 spike.
"Sabi nila after elections ang Pilipinas magkakaroon ng 300,000 active cases after election - hindi nangyayari 'yan," the health secretary said. "Kasi precisely because of our successful compliance to masking mandate, to our minimum public health standards."
(They said after the elections, the Philippines would have 300,000 active cases – that’s not happening. This is precise because of our successful compliance to masking mandate, to our minimum public health standards.)
Presidential Adviser for Entrepreneurship Joey Concepcion previously called on the government to consider lifting the state of public health emergency to "promote confidence among the population."
According to Concepcion, the government should now focus on job creation, opening up more areas, and encouraging people to get back to work.
But for Duque - he asked officials to not be reckless so the country does not have to return to harsh restrictions.
"Let us not be reckless and imprudent. We have to be careful."
From May 23 to 29, the DOH reported 1,317 new COVID-19 cases, with the daily average at 188, up from the previous 173 from May 16 to 22.
