The country was officially placed under a state of public health emergency yesterday following the confirmation of the local transmission of the novel coronavirus disease-2019 last week.
President Duterte signed Proclamation No. 922 last March 8 mobilizing government and non-government agencies to respond to the threat.
“The outbreak of COVID-19 constitutes an emergency that threatens national security which requires a whole-of-government response aligned with the Four-Door Framework for COVID-19 of the DoH and the efforts of all concerned government agencies and LGUs,” Duterte said.
Duterte added that such declaration would address the COVID-19 threat, including but not limited to mandatory reporting, intensified government response and measures, and enforce quarantine and disease control prevention measures.
It would also capacitate agencies and local government units to immediately act to prevent loss of life, utilize appropriate resources to implement urgent and critical measures to contain or prevent the spread of COVID-19, mitigate its effects and impact to the community, and prevent serious disruption of the functioning of the government and the community.
The proclamation enjoined all government agencies and LGUs to render full assistance and cooperation and mobilize the necessary resources to undertake critical, urgent, and appropriate response and measures in a timely manner to curtail and eliminate the COVID-19 threat.
It authorized Health Secretary Francisco Duque III to call upon the Philippine National Police and other law enforcement agencies to provide assistance in addressing the disease.
Citizens, residents, tourists, and establishments owners were urged to follow the law and comply with directives and advisories to be issued by the DoH and other appropriate government agencies to prevent further transmission of COVID-19 and ensure the safety and well-being of all. (Argyll Geducos)
