COVID-19 Updates: President Rodrigo Roa Duterte Press Briefing | October 19, 2020

October 20, 2020

As of October 19, 2020, 11:00 PM, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte addressed the nation through a recorded speech to provide updates on the COVID-19 situation. Below are the highlights of the briefing:

• The briefing started with Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Francisco Duque III reporting that there are now 359,169 total confirmed cases in the country, with over 42,000 active cases, 310,303 recoveries, and 6,675 casualties.
• Sec. Duque shared that the country’s national epidemic curve continues to go down and this is caused by the Prevent-Detect-Isolate-Treat-and-Reintegrate strategies being implemented as indicated in the National Action Plan.
• Sec. Duque also shared they are continuously providing immunization services for measles, polio, rubella, and other vaccine preventable diseases.
  • A budget of Php 319 million has been allocated to hire additional vaccinators, mobilization of vaccinators, and the transportation and procurement of the vaccines.
  • A total of 11 million units have been procured for measles, rubella, and polio vaccines, 5.7 million vaccination devices, and 947 sets of personal protective equipment.
  • He sought the help of PRRD and the Department of Interior and Local Government to encourage local leaders to not cease their immunization activities as this is a necessary measure to ensure the safety of the youth.
• PRRD assured the public that the government is coordinating with the Commission on Audit to discuss budget solutions as well as paying for the necessary medical support needed by the public.
• Presidential Adviser on Peace Process and National Task Force COVID-19 Chief Implementer Carlito Galvez, Jr. reported on the COVID status in a number of areas.
  • Ilagan City has been placed under Enhanced Community Quarantine as confirmed cases continue to increase, while the rest of Mindanao is experiencing an overall increase in confirmed cases.
  • A certain area in Baguio is also seeing an increase in COVID-positive cases.
  • Cases in Palawan remain manageable.
  • Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, Deputy Chief Implementer of the National Task Force COVID-19 Vince Dizon, and Contact Tracing Czar Benjamin Magalong will be heading to Bukidnon to provide assistance on controlling the number of COVID cases.
  • Other members of the Task Force have also been deployed in other parts of the country to monitor and provide assistance whenever necessary.
• Sec. Galvez commended the efforts of the LGUs as they are being transparent in communicating their situations to the respective agencies.
• Sec. Galvez also confirmed the continued decrease in cases in the NCR, Region IV-A, and Region III.
• PRRD happily noted that there is an improvement in the country’s fight against COVID-19 and that they are succeeding. He thanked his Cabinet members for their work.
• Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año reported that he met with the City Mayors of NCR and they have agreed to adjust their curfew hours from 10PM-5AM to 12MN-4AM, except for Navotas to ensure the continued improvement of their situation.
• Sec. Año also communicated that those aging between 15 to 65 years old are allowed to go out in areas that are under Modified General Community Quarantine (MGCQ) or low risk areas. For Metro Manila, only those aging between 18 to 65 years old are allowed to go out as they are still in General Community Quarantine (GCQ).
• Sec. Año shared that only 30% of the overall church capacity is allowed for those who want to attend religious gatherings and activities. However, Christmas parties are still prohibited.
• Sec. Año reported that last October 15, he and Senator Bong Go oversaw the distribution of new fire trucks where 84 units and five aerial ladder trucks have been provided to different LGUs across the country.
  • Aerial trucks were provided to areas called locators or economic processing zones which are Davao City, Cebu City, Marikina City, Quezon City, and Sta. Rosa City in Laguna.
  • Three rescue trucks have also been distributed.
  • Sec. Año shared that he and Sen. Go discussed how the ambulance system of the country could be improved to ensure immediate assistance is provided. They will be preparing a position paper to help equip the Bureau of Fire Protection with more ambulances.
• PRRD reported that the Red Cross was not paid for the COVID testing, but he assures them that the government will be paying for their services.
• PRRD shared that the situation in Marawi is not easy but the clearing of explosives has already started but is taking time. He also reiterated that there is ample budget to help restore Marawi to its former glory.
  • He also communicated that the government has liberated Marawi against terrorists like the Maute Group and ISIS. While he did not intend to shed as much blood, it was a necessary measure.
• PRRD reported that according to the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB), there are about two out of 100 Filipinos, aged 10 to 69 are current drug users.
  • He shared that during the time of Senator Ronald Dela Rosa’s time in the police force, the number of drug users in the country reached 4 million, which has been significantly reduced.
  • He warned the drug dealers about their fate if they do not stop and he grieved for those who resort to using drugs instead or finding work.
  • He reminded the public that dealing with drugs is a shared responsibility. He asked parents to check on their children and make sure that they are on the right path.
• On the issue of corruption, PRRD said that all biddings must be published publicly alongside the cost needed to the respective government projects. He said those with the lowest bids will be the ones to be awarded with these projects.
  • He also asked the public to call via 8888 should they get information related to drugs or corruption.
  • He zeroed in on the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to many corrupt officials and project engineers. He also defended DPWH Secretary Mark Villar, saying that he is not corrupt as he is already wealthy.
  • PRRD also reiterated that he is as unforgiving with corruption as he is with drugs.
  • PRRD added that the highest interest of the country is the health and welfare of the people as it is a paramount concern.
  • PRRD further explained that people can hold him responsible for the deaths incurred by the drug war, except for those caused by killers that he is unaware of. He also admitted that most killings were done by the police, which are all reported. He asked the people to study these cases before filing any legal action.
  • For killings unrelated to police operations, he will not be accountable for those.
  • PRRD said that with the correct indictment, he is willing to go to jail.
• PRRD continued to argue that drug users are the ones killing humanity. If people want them to be saved, particularly those in the marginalized sector from drug-related crimes, rehabilitation programs and necessary funding are needed, yet no one is offering any of these. He also argued that whenever a police officer is the one killed, the public stays silent.
• PRRD concluded his speech by saying that when authorities are saving the country from people like the New People’s Army (NPA) and drugs, then they are doing a sacred duty.

DOH Advisory

As of October 19, 2020, 4:00 PM, the Department of Health (DOH) reported a total of 359,169 confirmed COVID-19 cases, 42,191 of which are active cases. Recoveries have been recorded to reach 310,303 while the local death toll has reached 6,675. Overall, the DOH also reported to have tested 4,136,389 individuals.

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