In light of the Philippines having the first 2019 Novel Coronavirus death outside of China, Senator Risa Hontiveros stressed that the Department of Health (DOH) should be prepared for the worst case scenario.

“Handa ba tayo? We don’t want our countrymen and women to panic. But we have to assure them and answer the most fundamental question: are we prepared for the worst?” Hontiveros asked during a hearing in the Senate on Monday.

The Senator also urged the DOH to implement a stronger community health surveillance system. “Kung hindi nagpa-check-up, hindi pa natin malalaman na may coronavirus na pala sa bansa?” asked Hontiveros referring to the 38-year old Chinese woman who is the first nCoV case in the country.

“Ang worry ko dito ay marami-rami na ring kaso ng mga kagaya ng ating first confirmed case. Pwedeng mamasyal pa kung saan-saan, at dumarami ang contact points,” Hontiveros remarked. The first nCoV case in the country also reportedly traveled to Cebu and Dumaguete before she was diagnosed in Manila.

“Alam ba natin kung ilan na ang nakapasok sa bansa bago ang ating travel ban?” Hontiveros furthered.

The Senator urged the DOH to advise travelers from China who arrived in the Philippines in the past three weeks to report to local health authorities.

“Alamin natin kung ilan at nasaan na itong mga nakapasok bago ang lock down at travel ban, lalo na yung mga galing sa Tsina in the past 2-3 weeks, magkaroon ng mandatory reporting, i- monitor ang kanilang kalagayan at mabigyan ng angkop at sapat na healthcare interventions,” she detailed.

“The Department of Health DOH needs to step up. Hindi mo masisisi ang ilan nating kababayang mag-alala kung hindi naman ka-level ng Japan ang healthcare system mo,” she remarked. “We need to assure the public that we are prepared,” Hontiveros concluded.