Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque pioneered today’s press briefing via online streaming, the spokesperson talked about some issues concerning the public, addressed COVID-19 and other health related problems.
Roque talked about the COVID-19 vaccination state of the country and said that the Philippines received 100 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines, “Wala na tayong dahilan na di tayo mabakunahan,” he added. Roque also said that 27.36 million or 35.47 percent of the country’s eligible population have been vaccinated, 8.58 million persons or 87.78 percent of Metro Manila’s eligible population have been fully inoculated.
The spokesman also said that President Duterte is expected to attend New Zealand’s hosting of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders’ Week, “Inaasahan dadalo via video conferencing ang Pangulo sa Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation or APEC sa Nov. 12,” Roque said.
Roque also urged PhilHealth to settle the unpaid claims of private hospitals; he made the call after some private hospitals expressed their plan to cut ties with PhilHealth over its continued failure to pay reimbursement claims. “Siguro po, mananawagan tayo ulit kay President Gierran, paulit-ulit pong sinasabi ni Presidente sa kaniya, hayaan mo nang bayaran nang bayaran iyan dahil sa panahon ng pandemya talagang magkakagulo at magkakaroon ng kakulangan kung ang mga pribadong ospital ay hindi kasama sa Universal Health Care,” Roque said.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque also said that authorities will consider lowering Metro Manila’s current Alert Level 3 status to Alert Level 2 depending on the region’s average daily attack rate (ADAR) and if the decrease in COVID-19 cases is sustained. “Bagama’t ang datos ay nagpapakita na pupuwedeng ibaba nga po sa mas mababang alert level ang Metro Manila, importante po, huwag tayong magpabaya,” Roque added.
The Palace Spokesman also pointed out that the significant drop in COVID-19 cases might influence the IATF-EID to remove the requirement of wearing a face shield and face masks. However, Roque also clarified that the decision is yet to be made, “So, tama po kayo. Dahil bumababa ang numero, marami na ang nagsasabi sa IATF na na baka dapat itigil na rin ang pagsusuot ng face shields. Pero wala pa pong desisyon. So, suot pa rin po tayo ng face shield,” he said.
Talks about the new set of Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) members was also discussed as spokesperson Harry Roque said that President Duterte will consider appointing new BTA members based on nominations from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the government, “Sigurado naman po ako mayorya ng mga ma-a-appoint ng Presidente ay manggagaling pa rin sa hanay ng MILF. Bagamat mayron din po yang appointees ang ating gobyerno,” Roque said.
The controversial drama series “Pine Gap ” was also tackled as Harry Roque expressed support for the Philippine government’s order to remove parts of the Australian series from the video streaming platform Netflix, which featured China’s nine-dash line in the South China Sea. Roque said that the Palace supports the act to remove episodes of the series which portrayed China’s “inaccurate” presentation over the disputed territory of South China Sea.
Meanwhile, Roque said that President Duterte is set to deliver a public address tonight, November 2, 2021.