Roque calls Fernando Zobel de Ayala, Manny Pangilinan to seek assistance for COVID-19 response

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque used his regular press briefing on Monday to secure the support of top businessmen Fernando Zobel de Ayala and Manny Pangilinan for the government’s COVID-19 response.

Roque placed Zobel and Pangilinan on loudspeaker in order for the public to hear their respective responses to the government’s request for additional phone lines for the One Hospital Command.

“How many lines would you need, Secretary?” Ayala, co-vice chairman of Globe Telecom, Inc., asked during the phone conversation.

In response, Roque said: “As many as you can give po kasi ito pong One Hospital Command Center, sir, siya po iyong tinatawagan ng lahat para kung may tanong sila sa testing, sa tracing, at saka sa treatment po.”

Ayala said Globe would do its best to assist the government though “it really depends on the requirements.”

“Someone [will] contact you right away,” Ayala told Roque.

Pangilinan, chairman of PLDT, Inc., also heeded the government’s request.

“We will do that right away,” he said.

Launched on August 6, the One Hospital Command Center system aims to improve the referral system and interoperability of public and private healthcare facilities catering to COVID-19 patients.

Roque, meanwhile, thanked Pangilinan for the P45-million worth of hospital equipment which was donated by the companies under his leadership to East Avenue Medical Center in Quezon City for its COVID-19 facility.

“More to come, Mr. Secretary,” Pangilinan said.—AOL, GMA News