Alagang Angara

Senator Sonny Angara today asked for the grant of certain exceptions for senior citizens who have been stuck in their homes during the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) and could remain holed up for an extended period once the lockdown is lifted and the “new normal” kicks in.

The Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) has released the guidelines under a general community quarantine (GCQ), which includes allowing certain businesses to resume operations but requires individuals below 21 and those 60 years and above to stay at home.

On the possibility of passing a supplemental budget for COVID-19:

If a supplemental budget is needed I'm sure both houses of Congress will hear and pass that to authorize the President and the Executive branch to spend more or to realign from existing budgetary items. This is to meet the challenges posed by the virus which were unknown when we passed the 2020 budget and we acknowledge that the President may need some flexibility to react to future contingencies.

On the extension of the ECQ for another 15 days:

In order to contain the spread of COVID-19 faster, Senator Sonny Angara said the government must speed up the implementation of mass and random testing, particularly at the community level.

There are now 5,878 cases of COVID-19 in the country and the figure is expected to go up further as more tests are conducted by the Department of Health (DOH) and the local government units.

Angara aired his concern about how many COVID-19 cases are not being detected and are still spreading the virus at their communities.

Now more than ever, the development of telemedicine as a viable alternative to physical visits to the doctors should actively be pursued, Senator Sonny Angara said today.

In this time of COVID-19 when the transmission of the coronavirus is fast and potentially dangerous for certain individuals, Angara said technology and innovation is key to bridging the gap between patients and health care professionals.

Stop the discrimination against our frontliners, COVID-19 positive, persons under monitoring (PUM) and persons under investigation (PUI) and their families.

Senator Sonny Angara issued the call after receiving reports that the acts of discrimination and even cruelty against the frontliners in the fight against COVID-19 continue in spite of repeated appeals for understanding and compassion for them.

There should be no obstacle to the release of funds to the country’s most vulnerable sectors now that the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act has been enacted and President Duterte himself has issued the order to provide emergency assistance for those hardest hit by the COVID-19 outbreak, Senator Sonny Angara said today.

After Sen. Sonny Angara announced that he is positive of COVID-19 Thursday, his office continues to help the public through distribution of food packs and protective gears.

Angara took it to social media to announce he is positive of the virus after manifesting symptoms of mild fever, cough, headaches and general weakness.

“I have not been in contact with the public since taking the test last March 16,” Angara said.

I regret to announce that today, March 26, I received  my test result and it is positive for covid 19. I have been feeling some symptoms like mild fever, cough, headaches and general weakness .
I have not been in contact with the public since taking the test last March 16.

I ask for your prayers that together we are able to pull through this tremendous challenge.

Let us continue to support all efforts to fight the further spread of the virus. Let us support our frontliners on the streets, in the emergency rooms as they are key to the effort.

Senator Sonny Angara welcomed the grant of hazard pay and a special risk allowance to public health workers who continuously serve the nation at this critical time, but emphasized that volunteers should also be included.

Administrative Order No. 26, which was issued last Monday, authorizes the grant of hazard pay to government personnel and enumerates the coverage and conditions.

Senator Sonny Angara called on the various agencies such as the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to find ways to get the cash grants and other aid to the families affected by the enhanced community quarantine immediately.

At this time when almost all businesses have closed and movement of people is restricted due to the enhanced community quarantine to combat the spread of COVID-19, Angara noted that “people are becoming desperate and in need of assurance from its government that they will be taken care of.”