By Jennylou Canon

PHOTO: 8List PH

Vice President Leni Robredo targeted the elimination of corruption in the government as well as the appointment of a competent health secretary as an addition to her COVID-19 response plan.

“Tigil ang korupsyon, tigil ang anomalya. Magtatalaga tayo ng mahusay na Secretary of Health. Pipili tayo ng may pananagutan, kayang pasunurin ang buong burukrasya, nauunawaan ang mga proseso, may kaalamang teknikal, at may malasakit sa taumbayan. Patitibayin natin ang sistemang pangkalusugan,” Robredo said.

Former Department of Health (DOH) Secretaries Manuel Dayrit and Esperanza Cabral backed Robredo’s plan for the DOH, saying that the next health secretary should have “competence, commitment, and love for the country.”

She also said that she will resolve Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) anomalies, and that the agency’s debt to hospitals will be paid.

In addition, Robredo urged the public to still be cautious as the COVID-19 pandemic situation in the country has only started to ease.

“Totoo, may mga araw na tila bang umaayos na ang ating situwasyon. Dalangin nating magtuloy-tuloy na ito. Pero kailangan nating maging mulat na hindi pa tayo tuluyang nakakaraos sa pandemya. Maaaring magkaroon ulit ng bagong variant na magdudulot ng surge,” she reminded the public.

Her “Kalayaan Mula sa COVID” plan also focuses on added agendas such as improved treatment to healthcare workers as well as accessible healthcare to all, employment boost programs, safe return to schools, and such.