The country has managed to stave off the “devastating” first phase of the coronavirus pandemic but must continue to work hard to limit the spread of the disease, according to a Malacañang official.Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo highlighted that the nation has “succeeded in flattening the initial wave of infection” due to the partnership of the government and the private sector.
Barring last-minute changes, the President’s annual address will be delivered before a limited number of lawmakers and Cabinet members at the Batasan Pambansa in Quezon City under heavy health and security protocols. The alternative plan is to move the venue to Malacanang if the SONA guests at Batasan test positive for the illness.
“With an understanding that the pandemic shall persist while a vaccine has not yet been discovered, we have been hard at work to capacitate our healthcare system to adequately adapt to the situation and to ensure the readiness of our citizens for the new normal,” he said. Malacañang earlier admitted that the country cannot afford another restrictive lockdown, citing the need to balance public health and the economy.
THE JOKER?