Thread by @PhilstarNews

In his late address last night, President Rodrigo Duterte claimed he had warned everyone to prepare for the COVID-19 pandemic "at the start."

On Feb. 3, 2020, Duterte said "there is nothing really to be extra scared of" COVID-19.

As of April 6, 2020—two months after the president's statement—there are 3,660 cases in the country, including 163 deaths and 73 recoveries.

It has since been announced that the enhanced community quarantine in Luzon will be extended until April 30.

Also on Feb. 3, upon noting there was still just one death in the country from COVID-19, Duterte said that "everything is well in the country."

He also said the gov't is prepared to buy face masks though the supply has been depleted due to high demand.

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The president said in February that the government had enough funds to address the impact of COVID-19.

"We are prepared to handle this public health emergency in case the worst scenario happens," he also said.

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When the case count rose to 47 and took the lives of five people, Duterte raised Code Red Sublevel 2 over COVID-19 and placed Metro Manila under quarantine for 30 days starting March 15.

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A week later however cases continued to rise, thus the president declared an "enhanced community quarantine" over the entire island of Luzon.

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On March 24, the president signed into law RA 11469 or the "Bayanihan to Heal as One" Act which grants him special powers to deal with COVID-19 crisis.

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