(Eagle News)–President Rodrigo Duterte early Thursday, April 9, said the coronavirus disease 2019 crisis could last for two years.
President Duterte, who was wearing a mask, made the remark in his public address, as he called on Filipinos not to rush things.
“Kapag hindi naayos itong COVID-19, mapurnada talaga tayong lahat. Huwag ninyong madaliin. Sabihin ko sa inyo, think of COVID-19 sa ganitong sitwasyon: Tatakbo ito ng two years,” he said.
He said the only way for the problem to be completely solved is if someone invents a vaccine.
“Walang vaccine? COVID stays,” he said.
The President said he was eyeing a sale of government assets if the P275 billion in COVID-19 response funds were not enough.
Finance Secretary Sonny Dominguez for his part said the Philippines was eyeing a $5.6-billion loan from foreign banks to shore up the economy amid the health emergency.
He gave the assurance though that as of this time, the country had sufficient resources.