COVID HOTSPOT IN SOUTHEAST ASIA

Año says Philippines focusing on doing what’s proper and practical

Interior Secretary Eduardo Año on Friday said the Philippine government has been focusing on what is appropriate and proper in combating COVID-19 pandemic than comparing itself to other countries.

At the sidelines of an event in Camp Crame, Año was asked for his comment on the Philippines being the hotspot of COVID-19 in Southeast Asia after total cases increased to 119,460.

"Ang ginagawa natin pinag-aaralan natin 'yung mga magagandang practices sa ibang countries and then inaapply natin dito and then we focus on doing what is appropriate and proper and practical rather than everyday compare yourself, mahirapan ka lang lalo diyan," Año said.

"Kapag nakafocus tayo like for example here in MECQ, talagang trabaho lang tayo gaganda naman 'yung numero," he added.

"So kailangan talaga dito tuloy-tuloy na effort and rest assured lahat ng magagandang best practices sa ibang country pinag-aaralan natin," Año said.

Año also said there is no successful country yet in defeating COVID-19 as there is no vaccine yet for the disease.

"Nobody can say when it is over. Habang wala pang bakuna, no country could say they are successful. Look at Japan, Italy, even Vietnam and Singapore, nagspike sila..." he said.

"Japan nga masyado nag-open kaagad sila, ngayon they have to lock down again. So wala talagang ibig sabihin na successful ang isang country," he added.

Año, however, pointed out that the Philippines has a better situation compared to other countries such as Brazil, the United States, Russia, and India.

"Imagine naman in the United States ang namamatay 2,000 isang araw, 'yun total na natin 'yun. In India, about 600 deaths everyday," he said.

Data from the Department of Health indicated that the five areas with the highest number of new cases are Metro Manila with 2,041, Laguna with 222, Cebu with 221, Cavite with 100, and Rizal with 81.

The total number of recoveries is 66,837 while the death toll climbed to 2,150. — RSJ, GMA News