MANILA, Philippines — Members of the Senate minority on Sunday called for a special session to pass a supplemental budget to address the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. In a joint statement, Senators Leila De Lima, Franklin Drilon, Risa Hontiveros, and Francis Pangilinan urged the upper chamber to gather for a special session as the government scrambles to contain the coronavirus in the country. The Department of Health is seeking the passage of at least P2 billion supplemental budget for COVID-19. The House committee on appropriations has approved a P1.6-billion supplemental budget for the country’s response COVID-19. The Philippines has so far recorded 111 COVID-19 cases, of which eight have died, two recovered, and 101 remains admitted.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer March 15, 2020 01:52 UTC