Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 6) – Senator Nancy Binay called on authorities to open COVID-19 facilities right away, instead of holding opening ceremonies that “are unnecessary and leave a bad taste” for those battling the disease.
“Pakiusap kung pwede buksan na lang para magamit agad,” Binay said in a tweet. “Sayang lang ang oras sa ribbon cutting at photo ops. These things are unnecessary & leave a bad taste for families of COVID patients who are racing against life & time.”
[Translation: Please if possible just open (the facility) so it can be used already. Time is wasted on ribbon-cutting and photo ops.]
The senator mentioned the recent inauguration of the new Quezon Institute Offsite Modular Hospital, attended by officials from the Department of Health, Department of Public Works and Highways, and the Inter-Agency Task Force.
The modular hospital is meant to accommodate more COVID-19 patients given that a number of hospitals have already reached full capacity due to the unprecedented surge of infections the past month.
Single-day rise in cases reached a new all-time high at over 15,000 last month and has consistently stayed at above 8,000 the past six days. The surge has pushed hospitals into rejecting some patients due to lack of beds and manpower.
Pakiusap kung pwede buksan na lang para magamit agad. Sayang lang ang oras sa ribbon cutting at photo ops.
These things are unnecessary & leave a bad taste for families of Covid patients who are racing against life & time.#TimeIsOfTheEssence #BawalDinAngMassGathering https://t.co/RKZ1ZKGZSx
— Senator Nancy Binay (@SenatorBinay) April 6, 2021
