By Jennifer P. Rendon and Joseph B.A. Marzan
Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas on Friday again called for the resignation of Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Francisco Duque after the health department changed the classification of mild and asymptomatic COVID-19 patients as recovered after 14 days of quarantine.
In an interview with Aksyon Radyo-Iloilo, Treñas said he is wary that the DOH would suddenly declare mass recoveries of COVID-19 patients in Iloilo City.
The Philippines on Wednesday surpassed China in recorded numbers of COVID-19 cases to more than 89,000, which included the highest number of recoveries at 38,075.
This was due to the DOH’s new rule under their Oplan Recovery, where patients with mild or asymptomatic cases, whose onset of illness or specimen collection was more than 14 days ago, shall be tagged as recovered, following standards of United States’ and Europe’s Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“I was surprised that the DOH miraculously released a statement that thousands have been tagged as recovered. Maybe finally, we will be recovering through press releases by the DOH,” Treñas said.
Treñas reiterated that the problem is the virus, saying that the focus should be on medical-based solutions.
The mayor cited the recent spike in cases in barangays in the city such as Barrio Obrero in Lapuz district and Pali-Benedicto in Mandurriao district.
Both villages are currently under Surgical Extreme Enhanced Community Quarantine (SEECQ).
“This is what I kept saying again and again. Sometimes I cannot stop myself from talking when it comes to this, the problem is the virus. If the virus is the problem, then we need the medical profession so that we can resolve this problem. Yesterday, we saw cases rise in the city with spikes in Barrio Obrero and Pali-Benedicto. I called on a COVID-19 task force, where doctors and private practitioners gave me guidance, and together with our COVID-19 Team, we listened on what we should do, and they suggested we do localized lockdowns, we test and ensure that they come out in the soonest time,” the mayor said.
The mayor expressed his worry about the DOH’s pronouncements, saying that the DOH secretary should resign to allow “people who can handle the situation” better take his place.
President Rodrigo Duterte in June 2020 defended Duque amid a probe by the Office of the Ombudsman into the health department’s spending for COVID-19 response.
Treñas said that if President Duterte could not fire Duque, he should resign voluntarily.
“We have already overtaken China and all of a sudden, DOH comes up with this bright idea that they are recovered, through press release and not through medical reasons. I am very worried maybe we instantly all become recovered. I think if Secretary Duque cannot really perform as Secretary of Health at these times, I think it is really about time he gives up the position, so that other, more qualified, more competent, and more doctors who will be able to work with other people can be able to work with the President,” the mayor said.
The mayor said that the people have lost trust in the health secretary, which may complicate the country’s COVID-19 situation even further if he does not resign.
He added that it “pained” him to make his remarks, noting his established relationship with Duque in his other positions.
“It is difficult for our government to move forward if we have a leader like [Duque]. We don’t trust his competence anymore. We may need someone who can redirect leadership in the [DOH]. It pains me also, I’ve known him for so long since he was in PhilHealth, when he was [DOH secretary], when he was Civil Service Commission chair, and now again, where I even had a chance to confirm him in the Commission on Appointments, but now it is time for him to go, to save the country as well,” the mayor said.
If firing Duque would be difficult to President Rodrigo Duterte, he appealed to the health department chief to just voluntarily give up his post.
“It’s very difficult for the government to move forward if we have a leader like this.”
Treñas first called for Duque’s resignation on June 29, 2020.
“Abyan ko man na tuod si Secretary Francisco Duque kay halin pa na sang tiyempo ni Pres. Arroyo nga kilala ko na ina sya but I think it’s really about time for him to accept responsibility and voluntarily resign for the sake of the country,” he said during the flag raising at the Iloilo City Hall.
(Secretary Francisco Duque is my friend. I’ve known him since the time of Pres. Arroyo.)
At that time, Treñas hit the DOH over its decision to send rural health doctors under the Doctors to the Barrios (DTTB) Program to Covid-hit Cebu City.
The Iloilo City mayor opposed the decision claiming the health response of the city will be affected.
“DOH has not done any correct decision since the start of this pandemic in the Philippines. That is why, we are the country with the longest lockdown and yet the cases continue to go up,” Treñas said.
He said he is not blaming anyone but it’s time for Duque to take responsibility.
In a press briefing, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said the “time-based tagging” or “mass recovery adjustment” where mild and asymptomatic COVID-19 patients are declared recovered after 14 days of quarantine is at par with international standards.
“Our clinical criteria is not that different from the criteria of other countries. If the physician sees that symptoms are resolved, we can already classify as clinically recovered,” Vergeire said.
On Thursday, the DOH announced 38,075 additional recovered COVID-19 patients, of which 37,166 are from “Oplan Recovery” or the department’s data reconciliation efforts with local government units.
The said campaign resulted in the re-tagging of mild and asymptomatic patients as recovered, based on the criteria that they have already spent at least 14 days in quarantine.
‘GAME OF THE GENERALS’
Treñas also made remarks about National Task Force for COVID-19 chief Carlito Galvez, saying the country “does not need generals” to fight COVID-19.
He said that Baguio City Mayor and former police general Benjamin Magalong “does well” as contact tracing czar, but added that Galvez is “fit for somewhere else”.
“I have nothing against General Galvez, he has all my respect and trust. He is a very competent man, and he listens to all the problems. I think General Magalong for contact tracing is good, but in fighting this pandemic, I think we need doctors and not generals. Maybe my wife will get mad at me again for talking about this,” he said.
