Roque claims Philippines did excellently vs. COVID-19

The Philippine government has done an excellent job in managing the COVID-19 pandemic even if the economy nosedived to  -9% which is the worst since 1946, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said.

Roque cited that over 90% of the country’s COVID-19 cases were classified as mild and asymptomatic, and that the death toll of over 12,000 is lower compared with the United States which is the richest country in the world.

“We were excellent. Na-control po natin ang pagkalat ng sakit lalung-lalo na kung ikukumpara tayo sa mas mayayaman at mga bansa na mas mararami at mas moderno ang mga ospital," Roque said.

"Hindi po tayo nasa top 5, hindi po tayo nasa 10, hindi po tayo nasa top 15, hindi tayo nasa top 20, hindi tayo nasa top 25. So we did a very good job given na talagang kulang na kulang po talaga ang ating health facilities at kulang iyong pondo na binubuhos natin para sa health sector,” he added.

Based on World Health Organization dashboard, the US registered 519,075 COVID-19 deaths or at least .15% of its 331 million population.

The Philippines, on the other hand, registered 12,465 deaths or .53% of its 110 million populations.

Pressed on the extent of the government's excellence, Roque said the government did the best it could and excellently managed the COVID-19 crisis.

"We were excellent in managing it. Unfortunately, habang wala ang bakuna, talagang maraming mahahawa at mayroon pa ring mamamatay. But we have limited deaths to around 12,000 – ikumpara mo naman iyan sa Estados Unidos ‘no," Roque said.

"Can you imagine, America is No. 1 n terms of cases and in terms of death? Eh, wala naman sa kalingkingan nila ang ating level of spending for health at saka iyong ating technology sa ating mga hospital wala rin sa kalingkingan nila ‘no. But we managed very well, that is what I meant ‘no. It was, I think still, excellent way of managing. Let’s give credit where it is due," he added.

Aside from deaths and the economic downturn, the Philippines is the last to start its COVID-19 vaccination rollout in Southeast Asia last March 1.

Roque conceded that the Philippines could have done better in its COVID-19 response, but maintained that the measures put in place were enough to increase health capacity to take care and treat COVID-19 patients.

"May mga area na talagang dapat paigtingin pa natin at ginagawa naman po natin lalung-lalo na iyong sa tracing. Pero ang pinakamaganda po nating nagawa, napadami po natin ang ating mga TTMFs, iyong mga isolation facilities na kung saan natin ilalagay iyong mga taong na-trace na natin na nagkaroon ng close contact o iyong mga positibo,” Roque said.

He was referring to Temporary Treatment and Monitoring Facilities.

“At saka lalung-lalo na po diyan sa ating mga hospital ‘no, alam na po natin kung paano gagamutin ang mga nagkakasakit,” Roque said. -NB, GMA News