By CHARISSA L. ATIENZA
The House Committee on Metro Manila Development called on the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases, headed by Department of Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, yesterday to shape up and get their acts together to contain and control the spread of the 2019 novel coronavirus in the country.
The House panel, chaired by Manila Rep. Manuel Luis “Manny” Lopez, unanimously approved the motion made by Muntinlupa City Rep. Rozzano Rufino “Ruffy” Biazon calling on Duque to do everything to control the spread of the coronavirus.
“I would like to make a motion that the committee issue a resolution. No. 1, for the committee to call on the Secretary of Health as chair of Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Disease to utilize all powers and authority that are in his disposal as chair, including executive issuances, in order to do everything to contain and control this public health emergency,” Biazon said.
“No. 2, that all members of the Task Force to recognize and proactively assist the chairman of the Task Force in carrying out the objectives and mission of that Task Force. It is time for the Task Force to act as a team,” he added.
Biazon’s motion was seconded by partylist Rep. Aloy Lim.
Biazon had earlier questioned the absence of Duque during the hearing on the government’s efforts to fight the spread of the coronavirus.
He said Duque, as the overall manager handling the crisis, should have attended the hearing to personally relay to the panel the DoH’s key initiatives on how to address the spread of the Wuhan coronavirus.
“On the way to this hearing, I heard over the radio that the Secretary is on the way to Nueva Ecija to inspect a proposed containment facility. So I guess this shows the type of priorities that the Secretary has. As the overall in charge of handling this crisis, I believe he should have been here. Hindi ‘yung taga-inspektor na lang ng mga kuwarto,” Biazon said.
“So to the Department of Health, we appreciate your presence but I’m very sure that there will be questions here that you will be unable to answer,” he added.
Lopez said Duque “has asked to be excused” because “he is in the province to look for a quarantine place.”
The Manila solon said his panel has required the Task Force to “use all government resources and maximize its powers” in addressing the Wuhan coronavirus.
Biazon also urged his colleagues to pass House Bill 6018 which seeks the creation of the Public Health Emergeny Council that would formulate emergency plan for the prevention, detection, management, and containment of public health emergencies.
