Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 15) — Senator Ping Lacson said there seems to be no solution and end in sight in the COVID-19 health crisis due to the Health Department’s incompetence.
In a text message, Lacson expressed his concerns after the number of COVID positive cases in the country continues to increase three months since strict quarantine protocols have been implemented.
Lacson explained among the issues involved is the inability of DOH to test enough patients in order to assess the real situation of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country.
The senator said this is made worse by not reporting the tests conducted and the results accurately and in a timely manner.
“It is a basic management principle to base a sound decision on accurate information. Sad to say, this is not the case,” Lacson said.
Senate President Tito Sotto, however, said the government is doing what it can given the situation we are in.
Sotto believes the country is able to cope with the crisis despite the late recognizance of the epidemic, the hard headedness of some Filipinos, and the viciousness of the virus.
“We can criticize but we also just have to try and help,” Sotto said.
For its part, the Health Department explained operational issues in laboratories still persist.
“Ito pong mga operational issues natin, logistics-wise napakalaking bagay po sa amin. Mayroon ho tayong current international shortage on the different logistical supplies na kailangan ng isang laboratoryo na hindi ho madaling makuha sa panahong ito,” Health Usec. Rosario Vergeire said.
[Translation: These operational issues, logistics-wise are a big deal for us. We currently have an international shortage on the different logistical supplies needed by a laboratory, which are not easily acquired in these times.]
The DOH said it is also continuously conducting emergency hiring of health human resources to help in the fight against COVID-19.
“So ngayon po nagha-hire na po talaga ng mga encoders para po sa mga laboratoryo, para po sa mga ospital, para po sa mga local government units para po makapag-encode nang maayos ng datos at maging real time ang information natin,” Vergeire explained.
[Translation: Right now, we are hiring encoders for laboratories, hospitals, and local government units in order to achieve real-time reporting of our information.]
