(Eagle News)–President Rodrigo Duterte has said he wants more funds for the country’s response against the coronavirus disease 2019, saying the P275 billion were not enough.
“Hindi talaga tatagal yan,” the President said of the funds approved by Congress under the Bayanihan We Heal As One Act.
The President said he has asked Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez to find government funds to add to the approved package.
He said he asked officials to “explore” options in realigning funds intended for specific projects towards the government’s relief efforts instead, adding that he was willing to approve reclamation projects, which he earlier said he was against, for the needed relief for the people.
“Malapit na, ilang buwan lang ang reserba natin. Ako, handa akong ipagbili ang buong Dewey Boulevard sa gustong mag-reclaim, bigyan nyo ako ng bigas, kasi hindi ako pumayag mag-reclaim,” he said.
He also expressed support for Cavite Governor Jonvic Remulla’s request for middle-class families to be included in the government’s social amelioration program, saying the government was working “double time” for this.
“Unahin natin ang tao, ang tiyan, kasi kapag wala nang kinakain, a human being can be violent especially [‘pag] makita niya ang mga anak niyang walang makain,” he said, as he appealed for the public to have “patience.”
Under the Bayanihan We Heal as One Act, the President was given additional powers, including the power to realign the national budget, to address the COVID-19 crisis.
He, however, reserved for himself two powers, the power to direct the operation of private establishments and the power to require businesses to prioritize contracts for materials and services for government response, to his office, and delegated the other powers.