MANILA – “Nagtayo ako ng 10 palapag fully air-conditioned hospitals. Is that possible in 17 regions? Or more or less 80 provinces. Yes, it can be replicated. Can we build more Covid field hospitals for 2023 and 2024? Yes, so we can move on with our lives, para makapaghanapbuhay kayo. Pag na-infect kayo, may ospital para sa inyo.”
Striking a balance between health and livelihood, so declared Aksyon Demokratiko presidential bet Manila Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso as part of his plans to revive the economy amidst the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
Domagoso on Monday broke ground for a P110-million general hospital within the Baseco Compound in Manila’s Port Area.
Should he be elected President next year, he said he will replicate Manila’s efforts to construct new health facilities and put up Covid-19 field hospitals throughout the country.
At the same time, Domagoso is eyeing the distribution of financial aid to students and senior citizens affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The 46-year-old mayor explained that government spending for financial aid and infrastructure should be increased to facilitate the circulation of money in the domestic economy.
“The velocity of money, pag nilalabas mo (ang) pera ng gobyerno through infrastructure projects para sagutin (at) sugpuin yung social, perennial problem, which is housing, then you generate more business sa magsesemento, magbabakal, magkakahoy. Then pag may negosyo, may trabaho. Pag may trabaho, may kakayanang bumili ng bigas, suka, kalamansi, ulam,” he said.
Domagoso also emphasized the need to lower electricity costs through tax cuts to draw in foreign direct investments, lure manufacturing companies into the country, and generate more jobs.
“Di ko mapapababa yung cost of production ng kuryente. Pero yung gagamit ng kuryente, mababa presyo sa kanya. Bakit? Babawasan ko yung buwis sa kuryente. Pag binawasan ko ang buwis sa kuryente, sino ang nawalan? Gobyerno. Sino ang kumita? Nakatipid ang tao,” he said.
