Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said on Wednesday she
has ordered to set aside one billion pesos (US$19 million) for
activities against the local spreading of the severe acute
respiratory syndrome (SARS).
The money will come from the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office,
the presidential palace quoted Arroyo as saying in a press
statement, adding that the country will spearhead the setting up of
the ASEAN Health Emergency Fund for SARS.
The establishment of a one-billion-dollar regional fund was
unanimously adopted at a one-day summit of the Association of
Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on SARS, concluded Tuesday in
Bangkok of Thailand.
All the members have agreed to band together in the fight against
the SARS to ensure a more permanent victory against the killer
pneumonia.
Arroyo noted that the World Health Organization has made an
assessment that SARS could become the first severe new disease of
the 21st century that could have an epidemic potential.
She further said the Philippines will stretch its cooperation
regionally to help check the spread of disease across borders.
"Like what we have done in the fight against terrorism, we shall
wield common advocacies, educational programs, surveillance data
and acts of commands," she added.
Earlier on Tuesday, Arroyo promised to her people that leaders of
the ASEAN have agreed to give equal protection to Filipinos
overseas suspected of contracting SARS in their countries.
Likewise, her government will "expend equal treatment for foreign
nationals who may be suspect or actual SARS cases under the
perpetual no-blame and dignity for all concerned," Arroyo
added.
Arroyo said ASEAN leaders stressed the need for proper information
about SARS, explaining that the lack of proper information about
SARS raises fear of the mysterious disease, and may cause greater
damage for all.
ASEAN groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar,
the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
(Xinhua News Agency April 30, 2003)