Alagang Angara

Senator Sonny Angara today reiterated the need to improve the country’s capabilities on genome sequencing and biosurveillance in order to respond faster to health threats brought about by the new variants of the COVID-19 virus.

More countries are reporting positive cases of the new Omicron variant and the Department of Health (DOH) is currently investigating the possible entry of the same in the Philippines.

"Matagal ng ni rereklamo ng mga ospital itong mabagal na pag reimburse ng mga gastos ng mga ospital at pasyente; kelangan bilisan ng Philhealth ang pag proseso ng claims ng mga ospital otherwise magkakaroon tayo ng systems failure dito sa healthcare system natin; pag di na babayaran ang health services maaaring may mag sara na ospital at mapeperwisyo ang publiko at ang nangangailangan ng serbisyonh pangkalusugan.

Senator Sonny Angara cautioned the authorities and the general public against being complacent in observing the minimum safety protocols now that the number of COVID-19 cases is going down in the country.

Last October 27, the Department of Health reported a positivity rate of 7.6 percent based on the 41,049 tests it reported on October 25.

In its latest report, the OCTA Research Group said the positivity rate in the National Capital Region has declined to five percent, the lowest rate since July 14.

Senator Sonny Angara prodded the health authorities and local government units across the country to step up its efforts to inoculate members of the elder population, a significant portion of which remain unvaccinated to this day.

Even though the authorities prioritized senior citizens when it rolled out its vaccination program early this year, some 3.4 million of the 8.5 million of the elderly have yet to receive their first dose of the vaccines, based on data from the World Health Organization.

Alarmed over the spike in the country’s unemployment figures, Senator Sonny Angara called on the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to come up with programs targeted at all the industries and individuals affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

It has been four years since the Marawi City siege and it is about time that the residents displaced by the five-month long armed conflict are able to rebuild their homes and their lives, Senator Sonny Angara said today.

“Though we emerged victorious, there is no such thing as a war without death, damage, or destruction. While up to 1,200 individuals were killed on both sides of the siege, it was estimated that up to P17 billion worth of property and economic opportunities were lost,” Angara said.

The Senate Committee on Finance is set to present in plenary the committee report on the bill that will ensure the benefits intended for public and private health workers under the Bayanihan 1 and 2 laws will continue to be provided even after their expiry.

Senate Bill 2371 filed by Senators Richard Gordon and Senator Sonny Angara was favorably endorsed by the Department of Health, which sought for the passage of the measure in order to address any question about the legality of the continued grant of benefits to the health workers.

Senator Sonny Angara called on the Filipino youth, particularly those who were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, to avail of the jobs under Republic Act 10917 or the Expanded Special Program for Employment of Students (SPES) law and get their education back on track.

As the author of RA 10917 in the Senate, Angara said the law is particularly timely during this pandemic when the incomes of many families have been affected by the loss of jobs due to the extended lockdowns, be it on a short-term or permanent basis.

Senator Sonny Angara sees the need for more flexibility in the processes involved in the annual submission of the national budget to keep up with the constantly changing demands and situation on the ground during the pandemic.

As the chairman of the Committee on Finance, Angara noted that many of the requirements of the various government agencies and offices are not contained in the copy of the national budget submitted to Congress, particularly those related to the response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Both the government and the private sector welcome the promotion of digital payments as the way forward in providing Filipinos with a fast, safe and efficient way of making transactions in the country.

As the author of Senate Bill 1764 or the Use of Digital Payments Act, Senator Sonny Angara said there was widespread support for the adoption of digital payments for government and private transactions, “for as long as there are adequate safeguards in place to protect our people.”