Bayan says Roque's remark on COVID-19 response far from reality

Malacañang's latest statement on the government's efforts to address the pandemic is far from reality as hospitals get overwhelmed over the rise of COVID-19 cases, Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) secretary general Renato Reyes said Wednesday.

"Palace spokesperson Harry Roque’s statement today on the government’s pandemic response is just too detached from reality," Bayan secretary general said in a press statement.

"It’s like saying our hospitals are doing fine because you went straight to the hospital room without passing through the emergency room and corridors where lines are long and patients are miserable," Reyes added.

Palace spokesman Harry Roque earlier dismissed critics of the government's pandemic response, citing its improvements in conducting tests, contact tracing and health care capacity.

"Critics and the detractors of the Administration have always something to say," Roque had said in an issued press statement.

Roque cited World Health Organization Country Representative Dr. Rabindra Abeyasinghe's statement that resurgence in COVID-19 cases also happens in other countries.

He also cited government's initiatives to address the dramatic increase of cases such as improvement of StaySafe.PH for digital contact tracing in the country.

But Reyes said the Philippines is the "worst performer in Southeast Asia" which shows how poorly the Duterte administration handled the health crisis.

"We are not even talking of the very small aid given to economically displaced persons, which as of last Monday, recorded just 8% of the target distribution," he said.

The Duterte administration also refuses to admit its failed pandemic response by "cherry-picking" figures without reliable comparison, Reyes said.

"So long as this is the kind of pandemic response, our people will continue to suffer from the scourge of the virus, and from this terrible man-made calamity that is the Duterte regime," he added.

For instance, Reyes said Roque cited that there is a "weekly average of 52,565 tests from April 4 to April 10" but this figure "still falls short of necessary testing" amid the growing number of COVID-19 cases.

"Given a 20% daily positivity rate, experts have already pointed out that we need to test 200,000 nationwide with 130,000 in Metro Manila alone. This is necessary to identify more infections," said Reyes.

Last week, the World Health Organization said it is concerned over the renewed surge of cases in the Philippines, citing that the country is moving towards the red line. 

On Wednesday, a total of 892,880 virus infections were reported nationwide. This includes 173,047 active cases, 704,386 recoveries and 15,447 deaths.—LDF, GMA News