MALACAÑANG on Monday, June 22, pointed to the country’s high population density as one of the major factors for the continued increase in coronavirus infections.
In a public briefing on Monday, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said this is why the epidemic curve for the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) could not be easily flattened.
“Maraming mga dahilan ‘yan pero ang isa na kailangan talaga nating aminin ay ‘yung population density,” Roque said.
He said social distancing is harder for people who live in an area with limited space. “So maraming lugar sa atin na napakahirap mag social distancing dahil kulang talaga ang espasyo,” the official said.
Roque compared the country’s population count to New Zealand.
“Kung titignan ninyo ‘yung mga bansa na zero transmission [gaya ng] New Zealand, kakaunti lang ang populasyon nila, malaki ang kanilang lupa, hindi po ganyan ang kaso ng Pilipinas,” Roque said.
“Ganon pa man, haharapin natin ang hamon. Ang mga Pilipino ‘pag nahamon ay talaga namang gagawin nila ang lahat ng magagawa nila lalong-lalo na kung ang nakasalalay dito ay buhay nila at ng kanilang mga mahal sa buhay,” he added.
The spokesperson reminded the public to remain healthy and to follow safety protocols to avoid Covid-19.
“Syempre gusto natin makita zero transmission pero malayo pa po tayo doon, so ang ating paki-usap, dahil wala naman po talagang gamot diyan, wala pong bakuna, manatiling malusog, manatiling malinis, Roque said. (SunStar Philippines)