Villar clarifies: Gov't leaders, not frontliners, need to work harder

MANILA, Philippines – Government leaders need to work harder to minimize the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic to the economy, the health sector and the people, Senator Cynthia Villar said on Sunday after she received criticism on her statement allegedly pertaining to medical professionals.

Cynthia Villar
Photo Credit: Facebook/Cynthia Villar

In a radio interview on Saturday, Villar was asked if she favors the calls of medical professionals and groups to revert Metro Manila to enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) status. "Hindi na siguro, pagbutihin nila trabaho nila," she said.

READ: Villar on medical groups’ call for ECQ in NCR: Hindi na siguro, pagbutihin nila trabaho nila

Stressing her earlier statements were NOT aimed at medical frontliners who have called for a two-week break, Villar said, "We have to work harder and better, but I am not referring in particular to the medical workers--our frontliners."

"We are referring to all of us and DOH and Philhealth in particular. There is so much room for improvement in the government's response to curb the transmission of the disease," the senator added.

"Alam ko po ang sakripisyong ginagawa ng ating mga health frontliners. Buhay nila ang nakataya sa ginagawa nilang pag-aalaga sa ating mga kababayan."

"We in Congress have just passed the Bayanihan package 2, after intense debates, to provide health and financial support to the people. The government's economic team will have to work harder to raise the money to fund the package; the Task Force and the LGUs will have to work harder in trying to trace and manage movements of people and businesses to prevent more infections, and at the same time, be mindful of the people's desire to earn a living."

Senator Villar also called on every individual to follow the health protocols imposed by the health experts.

"We all want to be safe and COVID-free. All of us are doing a difficult balancing act to keep people safe and alive. We all need to keep our jobs, the economy, to do our respective roles to sustain this. All of us have to work harder and better.

— The Summit Express



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