Poe expects Duterte to include added ‘ayuda,’ improved health system in final SONA

Senator Grace Poe said she expects President Rodrigo Duterte to mention plans for additional financial aid or “ayuda” for families affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, an improved health system, and prioritization of the education sector in his final State of the Nation Address (SONA).

“Labing-anim na buwan tayong naka-lockdown, ang naibigay na ayuda ay dalawang buwan lamang. Siguro pwede pang dagdagan para makatulong sa panggastos ng ating mga kababayan,” Poe said in a video statement Monday.

(We have been on lockdown for 16 months but the financial aid was only good for two months. Maybe the government can add more funds for this to help our countrymen with their expenses.)

She also appealed for more benefits and proper compensation for healthcare workers in state hospitals as part of strengthening the health system in the country.

Moreover, Poe said state educators and some students should be inoculated with COVID-19 vaccines in light of government plans to open face-to-face classes in September.

“Kung hindi sila makakapasok at patuloy pa rin ang online, halimbawa sa ibang lugar, paano natin matutulungan ang connectivity para naman may pang-load ang mga teacher at estudyante para makapag-aral sila,” Poe underscored.

(If they will not be able to hold physical classes and they will be forced to continue these online classes, we should prepare ways to help the teachers and the students in terms of connectivity.)

Duterte is set to deliver his last SONA on Monday at 4 p.m. at the Batasang Pambansa Complex. — DVM, GMA News