Kapamilya star Ria Atayde joined the chorus of netizens who expressed their disappointment through their social media accounts after President Rodrigo Duterte appealed to the private sector for donations to help the government deal with the COVID-19 crisis.
As part of his national address last Mach 30, Duterte expressed his gratitude to several organizations, companies, as well as the Chinese and Singapore Governments for donating millions, alcohol, testing kits, and personal protective equipment (PPE).
Among the “Oligarchs” that he has mentioned in his speech were Jack Ma (co-founder of Alibaba Group), Michael Tan, Ramon Ang, Dennis Uy, Lucio Tan, and Manny Pangilinan.
He also acknowledged different organizations like the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations Population Fund, the Gokongwei Brothers Foundation, the Unilab Foundation, the Global Fund, and the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation.
Other companies who have also helped the Duterte Administration were McDonald’s, Jollibee Group Foundation, Shell Philippines, San Miguel Corporation, and GT Capital Holdings Group.
Broadcasting media companies such as GMA Network and ABS-CBN have also initiated several fundraising campaigns to help provide medical supplies for the frontliners in the fight against COVID-19 pandemic. Even celebrities took the initiative and raised funds to help other people who are in dire need of food and medical supplies. Stars like Angel Locsin, Maine Mendoza, Bela Padilla, and Ryan Cayabyab found their own way to help deal with the COVID-19 crisis.
However, Duterte still appealed to other members of the private sector to donate more, even if he already had an additional 275 billion peso-fund via the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act. This made many citizens question where the money went, especially since he did not clearly explain his plans.
On Twitter, actress Ria Atayde reposted a report by CNN Philippines with the caption, “But we’re also hitting a point of donor fatigue… private sector nalang? Ganun?” which was a swipe to the government’s call for help while taking slow action and having unclear plans.
But we’re also hitting a point of donor fatigue… private sector nalang? Ganun?
https://t.co/AnyGvbJHVq
— Ria Atayde (@RiaAtayde) March 30, 2020
In a separate post, the 28-year old artist also condemned the president for his statement about the fallen medical frontliners by writing, “Woah tho.”
Duterte had said, “Napaka swerte nila namatay sila para sa bayan. It will be an honor to die for the country.”
Woah tho.
— Ria Atayde (@RiaAtayde) March 30, 2020
Many netizens slammed Duterte for ‘romanticizing’ the demise of the medical workers which could have been avoided if only the Government has acted on the problem immediately.
These are some of the Twitter users’ reactions:
Don’t romanticize their sacrifice. They died because of the government’s incompetence. Until now they don’t have enough PPEs. They died because they were neglected. Worse, they were a collateral damage.
— Russ (@rhussellfamy) March 30, 2020
gago ka. di sila mamatay kung may mga plano ang gobyerno nung umpisa pa lang. Napakawalang puso
— oso (@MaybeOvaltine) March 30, 2020
nothing is “swerte” when you died knowing there were things that could’ve happened for you to be able to live, may mga pamilya yan na binubuhay at minamahal but your plans were super bagal they didn’t die “swerte” they died malas dahil kayo ang gobyerno may meron sila
— shenneid (@shenneid) March 30, 2020
Swerte din ba yung pamilya nilang hindi sila nakita man lang or nabigyan ng maayos na paalam? These people died ALONE. A lot of these deaths were preventable kung umaksyon lang kayo ng maaga. They fought for the country but this inept government didn't fight for them.
— Princess Peachi Pichi (@ladypichipichi) March 30, 2020
