Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 24) — President Rodrigo Duterte will again address the nation on Tuesday night after Congress approved a bill granting him additional powers to address the COVID-19 crisis.
Duterte is expected to deliver a message at around 10 p.m. or 11 p.m.
The message will also come after his meeting with the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases.
There is still no word whether Duterte has approved the bill which grants him additional powers, including the authority to reshuffle funds in the 2020 budget for antivirus efforts, including assistance to poor families.
The centerpiece of the special powers measure is a monthly ₱5,000 to ₱8,000 emergency subsidy for 18 million low-income households for up to two months.
It also provides for a ₱100,000 compensation for all health workers who may contract a severe COVID-19 infection while in the line of duty. Families of those who die fighting the pandemic will get ₱1 million.
The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation will also shoulder the medical expenses of health workers in case of COVID-19 exposure or any work-related injury.
Under the measure, Duterte may also direct the operation of privately-owned hospitals, medical facilities, passenger vessels and other establishments to house health workers, serve as quarantine areas, become quarantine centers, medical and aid centers or temporary health facilities, and serve as transportation for health workers.
The management of these businesses and establishments will be retained, and they will be compensated for any damage as a result of government takeover of their operations.
Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea had said the President “has no intent” to abuse his special powers to address the crisis.
Over 500 people in the Philippines have contracted COVID-19, with 35 fatalities to date. A total of 20 people have already recovered from the disease.
