The Philippines’ fight against the coronavirus disease could drag on for months if proper interventions are not implemented, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said Monday, citing studies by experts.
“Our estimations came from our scientists, our mathematicians. They created three modeling estimates with timelines ranging from the third quarter of the year to, maybe in a worst-case scenario based on their studies, to next year in January. But these are all estimations,” Vergeire said in a virtual press briefing.
In a separate briefing, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said the COVID-19 situation in the country could have been worse if President Rodrigo Duterte did not place Luzon under enhanced community quarantine in March.
READ: COVID-19 Tracker: Philippines As of April 13
“Take a look at the other countries, those richer than us, look at their numbers —that’s what we always go back to,” Nograles said.
Meanwhile, the Department of Health issued guidelines Monday for the hiring of health workers to boost the country’s response to the COVID-19 crisis.
Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III said the hiring of health personnel would augment the workforce in health facilities in the regions, provinces, or cities that manage COVID-19 cases.
He said the interim guidelines for emergency hiring of health personnel in select hospitals and other health facilities to expand the country’s response to the COVID-19 health emergency are contained under Department Memorandum No. 2020-0153.
Once hired, Duque said the health workers will be deployed in the following order of priority:
1. DOH-designated COVID-19 referral hospitals like Philippine General Hospital (PGH), Lung Center of the Philippines (LCP), Dr. Jose N. Rodriguez Memorial Hospital;
2. Temporary treatment and monitoring facilities for COVID-19;
3. DOH-designated COVID-19 diagnostic facilities;
4. Public hospitals (national and local) handling COVID-19 patients; and
5. Private hospitals duly designated by the DOH to handle COVID-19 cases.
The DOH Administrative Service-Personnel Administration Division (AD-PAD) will approve the hiring and deployment of health personnel based on the needs assessment submitted by the DOH facilities, or through their respective Centers for Health Development (CHD) or by the Ministry of Health of Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (MOH-BARMM).
Upon approval, the facilities may proceed with the recruitment and hiring process.
“These health personnel will be hired as contract of service and will include physicians; nurses; medical technologists; respiratory therapists; radiologic technologists; medical equipment technicians (Mechanical Ventilator Technician); nursing attendants; administrative assistants; administrative aides; and other personnel, as may be necessary,” Duque said. AFP
Under the emergency hiring order, a health personnel will be entitled to a monthly salary compensation with 20 percent premium based on the basic salary, regardless of the number of quarantine days per month; protective personal equipment (PPEs); board and lodging while on duty or on quarantine; psychosocial support, as needed; Continuing Professional Development (CPD) units, which may be granted through Health Human Resource Development Bureau (HHRDB) certification; medico-legal assistance; and preferential evaluation for DOH vacancies, depending on qualifications.
He said priority will be given to those who signed up as volunteers for the COVID-19 response in DOH sites.
The Health chief further said the personnel will receive a hazard pay of P500/day whether on duty or under required quarantine; GSIS group insurance (one-time premium of P500); benefits under the Bayanihan We Heal As One Act such as PhilHealth hospitalization benefits, P100,000 in case of infirmity due to COVID-19 and P1 million in case of death; and a communication and transportation allowance of P1,000 a month.
Public health workers, who are exposed to health risk in the light of the pandemic, are also eligible to receive one-time special risk allowance of up to 25percent of their monthly basic pay.
An initial 857 health care workers will be deployed in the three designated COVID-19 referral hospitals.
Senators back sale of assets
Senators supported President Rodrigo Duterte’s plan to sell government assets like military golf course to help fund a stimulus package to deal with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Under the proposal, the government would auction off the golf courses in Camp Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo, Villamor Air Base and the Veterans Memorial Medical Center. These thre golf courses have a total area of about 150 hectares of prime real estate, which could fetch a total of more than P150 billion. Senator Panfilo Lacson said they would support the sale as long as security in the adjacent military camps would not be compromised.
Marcos eyes freeze on debt payments
Senator Imee Marcos said the government should call for a temporary suspension in the payment of the country’s debts to increase cash aid for individuals and companies affected by a lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Marcos, who chairs the Senate committee on economic affairs, said that a debt moratorium is a third measure that the Department of Finance can adopt. She said the two other measures are budget realignments and international loans, which the government already announced.
Angara donates blood plasma
After recovering from COVID-19 last week, Senator Juan Edgardo Angara on Sunday donated blood plasma for a coronavirus disease patient. In an Instagram post. Angara said, “Gave my plasma and it went straight to a hospital in Quezon City to a man on a ventilator–a severe case of COVID-19.” He said his doctors said this could save the patient’s life as the antibodies of survivors in past virus infections have proved effective. Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri, who also recovered from COVID-19, earlier said he plans to donate his plasma to coronavirus patients as well.
Cayetano tries to appease middle class
Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano on Monday denied that the people belonging to the middle class have not received any assistance from the government during the COVID-19 crisis. He said the assistance has come in the form of an extension on the payment of bills and the filing of taxes, and the suspension of penalties on debt repayments and eviction for those who rent their homes.
READ: Lockdown displaces a million workers—DOLE
“So bear with us, let us not give up. The important thing is, the enhanced community quarantine is working. It’s working. So please bear with,” he added.
Privacy guidelines urged
Senator Risa Hontiveros on Monday said patients waiving the confidentiality of their medical condition will help authorities in the conduct of timely contact-tracing but said clear guidelines need to be established for Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF). Hontiveros said there was a need to narrow down the information needed for disclosure. She said IATF should also ensure that the needed information is disclosed only to the proper authorities and will not be used for any other purpose, and in accordance with the Data Privacy Act.
Centralized procurement pushed
A leader of the House of Representatives has proposed a centralized procurement of essential medical supplies needed for fighting COVID-19 to ensure those who need these would get them. Deputy majority leader and Quezon City Rep. Precious Castelo urged the Department of Trade and Industry and the Department of Finance to consider procuring personal protective equipment (PPE) items like suits or gowns, face shields and masks and other supplies such as alcohol and medicines, and distribute these to hospitals and patients at cost.
Prisoners isolated
Twenty-one prisoners have been isolated to keep prisons free of COVID-19, the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) said Monday. The prisoners have already been tested and were just waiting for the results, BJMP spokesman and Jail Chief Inspector Xavier Solda said in a press briefing. As of Monday morning, Solda said there have been no confirmed cases of COVID-19 among prisoners.
READ: Area-specific lockdown next 2 weeks eyed