Robredo Prescribes Leadership to End Pandemic Suffering of Filipinos
Vice President Leni Robredo on Monday detailed her plan to free Filipinos from the pandemic, highlighting the need for leadership to end nearly two years of suffering.
Roberedo said "Kalayaan sa COVID" will employ a whole-of-nation approach to fight the disease, hunger and the pandemic's fallout on education.
"Mahusay at matinong pamumuno ang kailangan para matuldukan ang pagdurusa ng taumbayan dahil sa COVID," she said.
Of her choice of health secretary, Robredo said: "Pipili tayo ng may pananagutan, kayang pasunurin ang buong burukrasya, nauunawaan ang mga proseso may kaalamang teknikal at may malasakit sa taumbayan."
Frontliners should get pandemic benefits that are due them while hospitals should have enough supply of beds and ventilators, Robredo said.
Healthcare should accessible and free for all, including COVID-19 testing and vaccination. All barangay units should also have designated doctors and nurses so residents won't have to travel far to consult with a professional, she said.
To free Filipinos from hunger, she said ayuda or aid will be given to everyone placed under lockdown on the first day of restrictions. Lockdowns should be targeted instead of large-scale, she said.
"Kasama sa ayuda ang pamimigay ng food packs na may kasamang sariwang ani ng mga magsasaka at mangingisda na direktang bibilhin ng pamahalaan mula sa kanila."
Robredo also said she would provide financial support for small businesses to avoid laying off employees. Under the National Unemployment Insurance Program, laid off employees would be given 80% of their salary for the first three months to give them enough time to look for other jobs.
With her runningmate and agriculture advocate Sen. Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan, Robredo said she would empower local food production by doing away with unnecessary imports.
Robredo said schools should be opened in areas with low COVID-19 cases. In high-risk areas, she would implement a one-student, one-gadget policy with free internet access in partnership with internet service providers. Robredo also said she would add more community learning hubs and safe spaces for students with access to trained tutors, an Office of the Vice President project she plans to scale up if elected.
"Napatunayan na natin kapag tayo ang nagplano, palaging my karugtong na pagkilos, pagkilos na agaran at handang makipagpuyatan, pagkilos na ibinubuhos ang lahat dahil harapang nasasaksikan ang dalahin ng kapwa," she said.
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