AMID MORE TRANSPO

DILG Usec.: Gov't has done everything to stop spread of COVID-19, time now for individual discipline

The government has done all it can to address the spread of COVID-19, and it is time for the public to practice individual discipline, an official of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said on Saturday.

DILG Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya made the comment when asked about the fact that more public transportation vehicles, particularly UV Express and traditional jeepneys, will be allowed to go on the road next week. 

"Kailangan na nating isaalang-alang ang ekonomiya. Kailangan na ng mga tao na maghanapbuhay. Paano sila mabubuhay kung hindi sila makakapunta sa kani-kanilang trabaho? Dito na pumapasok 'yung individual discipline na," Malaya said in an interview on Dobol B sa News TV.

"Government has already done everything possible to stop the spread of COVID. We are one of the first countries to make face masks mandatory. We are one of the first countries to declare a lockdown. We did all we can given the situation," he said.

"Pero ngayon, panahon na para ang mga tao mismo ang mag-alaga sa kanyang kalusugan by exercising individual responsibility — social distancing, face masks, mga bagay na at the end of the day, we have to do all para matalo natin ang COVID-19," Malaya said.

The government used a gradual calibrated approach in allowing the resumption of public transportation, first allowing buses, taxis, trains and modern jeepneys before UV Express units and traditional jeepneys, as part of measures to prevent the further spread of COVID-19.

The Philippines on Friday reported 1,006 new cases of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), of which 788 are "fresh" or newly validated and 218 are late, bringing the total to 34,073. Total recoveries rose to 9,182 while the death toll climbed to 1,224. —KG, GMA News