ILIGAN CITY (PIA)--Lone district representative Frederick Siao welcomed the establishment of a disease control and prevention body and a virology institute saying it is one of the most memorable priority measures President Rodrigo Duterte mentioned during his sixth and final State of the Nation Address (SONA).

"I think this is a very good takeaway from the experience we've had from this pandemic. This is a huge step in preventing another virus from disrupting our normal lives in the future. Hopefully, if this is realized, this will make our country more prepared to face another pandemic, or even better, prevent one in the future," Siao said.

The President on Monday, July 26, urged Congress to pass measures creating the country's Center for Disease Prevention and Control (CDPC) and a virology and vaccine institute while expressing optimism that Filipinos can make vaccines in the future.

“Maski gaano natin kahirap, however poor we are, I think that the Filipino people, if given the proper support and the things, the equipment they have to use, I am sure that Filipino brain can also process or make vaccines in the future,” Duterte said.

Siao was also pleased that the President recognized the role of Congress in responding to the public health crisis particularly in passing the Bayanihan Laws and other bills that aimed to help Filipinos recover from the crisis.

The city's lone district representative further said he was happy that the contributions of frontliners in the battle against the COVID-19 pandemic were highlighted by President Duterte in his SONA.  

"Giving them time and attention in no less than the SONA was very well-deserved considering the dangers they had faced and continue to face due to this pandemic," Siao said. (APB/PIA-ICIC)