Periodic assessments better than extending state of calamity to 2021 —Robredo

Making periodic assessments of the country’s progress in its fight against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is better than extending the state of calamity to 2021, Vice President Leni Robredo said Sunday.

In her weekly radio show, Robredo said she anticipated an extension of the state of calamity but questioned President Rodrigo Duterte’s basis in choosing to extend it by a year.

“Sa panahon ng krisis, inaasahan natin na kailangan ng deklarasyon na ito,” she said. “Pero hindi ko lang alam kung ano iyong basehan na hanggang 2021. Sana ano na lang, parang may periodic sana na pag-assess… kung kinakailangan pa.”

Duterte earlier extended the state of calamity to September 12, 2021 unless earlier lifted or extended as “circumstances may warrant” due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“Kasi gusto bang sabihin na ganoon katagal iyong emergency situation natin? Kasi kung ganoon katagal, parang nakakatakot para sa atin,” Robredo said.

She added that the Office of the Vice President will be willing to help the government conduct periodic assessments.

“Nakakabuti lagi kapag, alam mo iyon, mayroong periodic assessment, parang naa-assess natin iyong pangangailangan, nasaan na tayo ngayon. Tayo naman, kung kinakailangan, supportive naman tayo lagi,” she said.

State of calamity

The initial six-month state of calamity declaration signed by Duterte in March expired last week.

Duterte said the extension would allow the national and local governments to continue channelling funds to COVID-19 response as well as monitor and control prices of basic necessities and prime commodities.

The President also signed last week the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act, which provides a P165.5-billion COVID-19 economic recovery package. — Julia Mari Ornedo/BM, GMA News