President Rodrigo Roa Duterte issues anew the community quarantine status in the country for the month of October, particularly in the National Capital Region (NCR) and nearby cities and provinces, as he convenes his Cabinet to discuss the latest efforts and developments in the government’s response to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).

With the impending opening of classes, President Duterte calls on the telecommunication companies to improve network connectivity services, especially on measures that would ease internet woes as the country’s education system shifts to online classes and distance learning being the new normal amid the global health crisis.

The President assures the public that the administration is working non-stop to prevent the effects of COVID-19 in the country. He calls on his kababayans to remain vigilant and cooperative, as well as to strictly follow all safety protocols set by the authorities, to put an end to the spread of the deadly virus across the nation.

ON FACEBOOK

“What would be the point of allowing you to continue if you cannot help us? “It’s so convoluted I cannot understand. But put it this way: Tell me why can’t I use [Facebook] for the benefit of the people?”

“Even the advocacy of government was removed.  So what’s the purpose of you being here? Facebook, listen to me: We allow you to operate here hoping that you could help us also.”

“Now, if government cannot espouse or advocate something which is for the good of the people, then what is your purpose here in my country? And then you’re encouraging the left, then you believe in the left.”

ON POOR TELCO SERVICES

I don’t know how to go about this but may I just appeal to iyong mga telecommunications to — can you — can you do a better job? Is there life after this kind of service that you are delivering to the public?” 

“Kasi kung kaya ko lang na mag-isang salita nandiyan na kaagad, matagal na itong natapos itong problema ng Pilipinas.”

“The eternal complaint ever since telco came into being, it has been the agony of the Filipino people why until now ang telcos natin is very poor.” 

Far and wide in between the years of its introduction, ang telco from the beginning or the telcos right from the beginning were already being complained of as not delivering the money’s worth of the people.”

“This has been bogging the country for so long. It pisses me off to no end really to be discussing this telcos because ang karamihan walang service dito, walang service doon (there is no service here, no service there).  I said that’s chicken or egg thing. Whether it’s because of the absence of the towers, they are not allowed to build or erected, or itong walang kapasidad itong telcos to invest more.”

ON PHILHEALTH

“Balak ko mag-reorganize (I am mulling to reorganize [PhilHealth]) and impose upon them a single line of authority.”

“There are so many tables there in the office, not just in PhilHealth, who can do the work, who can process the papers, without having the discretion whether or not he should be hanging on it or sitting on it.”