A Review of Robredo’s COVID Solutions Based on her own SONA (for Republic of

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Image from Rappler’s article.[1]

What we think: The Department of Health mentioned in its press briefings it started Oplan
Recovery during the first week of June.[2] The motion is meant to catch up on data gathering
despite the crisis being an ever-changing problem. Oplan Recovery is responsible for the logging
of the 38k recoveries last July 30, 2020.

Image from Rappler’s article.[1]

What we think: DOH called for volunteers for their contact tracing last March 22, 2020. It was
for the DOH Epidemiology Bureau.[3] Also, we believe that frontliners should be fairly
compensated. Hence, IATF-EID has started hiring contact tracers (with required qualifications
such as being a graduate of any allied health program) with salaries provided in accordance with
their provided salary grades.[4]

Image from Rappler’s article.[1]

What we think: Pooled testing is useful only where there are expected low prevalence for
COVID. An example would be… NOT in Metro Manila. Cost and energy savings will decrease
the more pooled tests return positive. However, this is not to rule it out. This idea can be
entertained in other more favorable situations. That is why the Philippine government
ALREADY HAS a pilot study for pooled testing going on.[5]

Image from Rappler’s article.[1]

What we think: Besides from a contact tracing hiring spree with a fair salary compensation and
the launch of Oplan Recovery for faster test results, the government also took note of the Mayor
Magalong’s good gains and made him CONTACT TRACING CZAR around mid-July. [2][4]

Image from Rappler’s article.[1]

What we think: Locally Stranded Individuals (LSIs) are now required to undergo testing before
going home. Also, they are usually required to test again at their destination point. The
government also initiated the Balik Probinsya, Bagong Pag-asa program that helps people go
back to their provinces from Metro Manila, all with the necessary resources for them to start
their new lives with their families.

Image from https://balikprobinsya.ph/

Image from Rappler’s article.[1]

What we think: Dr. Francisco Duque is a well-decorated Immunologist (from Harvard),

Pathologist(from Georgetown) and a doctor(from UST). Dr. Edsel Salvana is a doctor (from UP),
Internist (from Medical College of Wisconsin), and Infectious Diseases expert (from University
Hospitals Case Medical Center). The Department of Health in itself employs professionals from
public health sector.

Tell us what are your supporters are doing to them?

Image from Rappler’s article.[1]

What we think: The last time we checked on the Official Gazette, the Philippine government is
not an authoritarian regime wherein private sectors must comply with the government, or else.
Private sectors enjoy more autonomy, especially in a democracy.
Image from Rappler’s article.[1]

What we think: The latest DOH N-Cov Tracker shows the hospital capacities for COVID only
at around 50%. Our unitary form of government limits the equal distribution of resources. The
Philippines being an archipelago also means that the transport of supplies must be by sea or air to
numerous locations.

Image from Rappler’s article.[1]

What we think: With the Philippines reeling from a slowed down economy, the talk of more
salaries is difficult. However, the government has taken steps in ensuring that some allied health
professionals, nurses to be specific, would have their salaries increased. Entry level nurses will
enjoy a monthly salary of Php32k-34k from the previous Php22k-24k.[7] We still do agree that
these salaries are not enough, especially for other healthcare workers and frontliners.

Leni also said, “Maayos na proseso ng pagrelyebo” complaining about the scheduling of work.
The healthcare professionals have been working their regular working hours (and maybe
sometimes overtime, it’s a pandemic for goodness sake) for decades. We believe that was a bit of
a nonsense.
On the note of protective gear, the government bought top-notch quality protective gear (ebola-
grade), while the Office of the Vice President (OVP) gave out cheap-priced protective gear. But
still, we thank OVP for the help, indeed.

Conclusion

Based on our observation, Leni Robredo’s “solutions” are either in the process of
implementation or are already being implemented. Hence, it is safe to say that her solutions are
valid, yet her SONA is… (you guessed it right)… useless.
 References

[1]
Cepeda, M. (Jul 30, 2020). Robredo hits Duterte SONA: Don't just wait for COVID-19 vaccine
Rappler. https://rappler.com/nation/robredo-hits-duterte-sona-2020-do-not-just-wait-covid-
19-vaccine?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Twitter#Echobox=1596241510

[2]
Mocon-Ciriaco, C. (Jun 02, 2020). DOH aims to get true number of Covid recoveries.
BusinessMirror. https://businessmirror.com.ph/2020/06/03/doh-aims-to-get-true-number-of-
covid-recoveries/

[3]
CNN Philippines. (Mar 22, 2020). DOH calls for COVID-19 contact tracing volunteers. CNN
Philippines. https://cnnphilippines.com/news/2020/3/22/Health-Department-COVID-19-
contact-tracing.html

[4]
Merez, A. (May 27, 2020). Philippines needs 95,000 more contact tracers for COVID-19
response: DOH. ABS-CBN News. https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/05/27/20/philippines-needs-
95000-more-contact-tracers-for-covid-19-response-doh

[5]
CNN Philippines. (Jul 23, 2020). DOH approves pool testing for COVID-19, but result of pilot
study still pending. CNN Philippines. https://www.cnn.ph/news/2020/7/23/DOH-approves-
pool-testing-.html

[6]
Aguilar, K. (Jun 26, 2020). Stranded individuals, OFWs to undergo COVID-19 tests before
returning to provinces—Palace. Inquirer. https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1297954/stranded-
individuals-ofws-to-undergo-covid-19-tests-before-returning-to-provinces-palace

[7]
Padin, M. (Jul 19, 2020). Salary grade of entry-level nurses increased. Philippine Star.
philstar.com/headlines/2020/07/19/2029085/salary-grade-entry-level-nurses-raised