Duterte’s SONA ‘crucial’ in directing PH fight vs. COVID pandemic, says Zubiri

By JOHN CARLO M. CAHINHINAN

MANILA – Senate Majority Floor Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri said the President Rodrigo Duterte should utilize his upcoming fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA) to lay down his government’s next steps in addressing the current health crisis due to the COVID pandemic.

According to Zubiri, the upcoming address to the nation by the President on Monday is “a crucial period” the fact that the country is still battling the rapid spread of the virus amid the easing community quarantines across the country.

“I’m hoping the President will spell out the next crucial steps for us,” said Zubiri.

Zubiri will be part of the 12-man Senate contingent that were chosen earlier to physically witness the President’s address in front of the Joint Session of Congress.

Zubiri said he definitely wants to know about the plans for the vaccine—the one thing needed in order to finally end this COVID-19 crisis.

“It would be great to hear about the government’s procurement plans for it, and perhaps a timeline of when we should expect the vaccine to be made available to our hospitals and our people” he said.

Zubiri stressed that they are ready to include the budget for the vaccination program in the Bayanihan II bill, or maybe the 2021 national budget.
“We just want to hear about the plan from the executive first, so we can align our measures accordingly,” he added.

The Senate official is optimistic that the chief executive will touch Congress’ COVID-related priority measures in his address as well, particularly the Bayanihan II bill.

According to Zubiri, the proposed legislation is expected “to pass on third reading right after the SONA.”

“We’re still at something of an impasse for the economic stimulus package provided in that bill, and it’s been difficult getting the House, the Senate, and the Department of Finance on the same page regarding the amount. I’m hoping to get some guidance from the President, so we can move forward,” he added.

Source: Latest Politics News Today (Politics.com.ph)