President Rodrigo Duterte said Friday that he will increase the reward for Filipino who can discover the cure against coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
In his televised address aired on Friday, Duterte said he will raise the bounty fivefold, from the initial Php10 million to Php50 million.
“I’m raising the bounty to P50 million. P50 million ho ang ibigay ko sa grupo because it is a collegial thing,” he said.
Duterte bared that he might raise the reward to Php100 million.
The Chief Executive added that he will provide additional funding for local scientists and the Department of Health (DOH), GMA News reported.
“Kung kailangan nila ng additional funding, all they have to do is magsabi lang sila sa iyo [Health Secretary Francisco Duque III], I’d be glad to di masyadong malaki kasi gipit tayo sa pera, I will freely give it to them,” Duterte said.
He also stressed that the war against COVID-19 can only be won once a vaccine will be discovered.
“Ang COVID hindi matatapos ‘yan. It will be here and it will stay until kingdom come pero kapag may bakuna na—baka sakali na mauna tayo, ma-involve din ‘yung ating more scientists to work over time to come up with a vaccine. COVID equals vaccine. Period,” he said.
The Philippines has announced that 500 patients will participate for the clinical trials for potential COVID-19 drug led by the World Health organization.
Duterte has extended the implementation of enhanced community quarantine in Metro Manila, Central Luzon, CALABARZON and other high-risk areas until May 15.
As of Thursday, the DOH has logged 6,981 cases of COVID-19 with 722 recoveries and 462 deaths.
READ MORE: Duterte extends lockdown in Metro Manila, other high-risk areas until May 15
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