President Duterte to declare a State of Public Health Emergency
MANILA – Presidential Legal Counsel and Spokesperson Salvador S. Panelo said the Office of the President has been in constant contact with the Department of Health (DOH) and other government offices since the COVID-19 reached the Philippines.
In a statement released about an hour ago, Secretary Panelo said the Office of the President has noted the recommendation of the DOH to declare a State of Public Health Emergency after it was learned local transmission of the COVID-19 has taken place.
“The said proposal has been raised to the attention of the President who has agreed to issue such a declaration after considering all critical factors with the aim of safeguarding the health of the Filipino public,” Secretary Panelo said.
The Presidential palace reiterates that this alert level is a preemptive call to ensure the entire government and its agents, along with healthcare providers, can prepare for possible COVID-19 upsurge.
“We similarly call upon the cooperation of the Filipino people during this health crisis to exercise utmost prudence and judiciousness as we expect all responsivle agencies to continue exhausting all possible measures within their mandate to secure the general welfare of the citizenry,” Secretary Panelo concluded. (Melo M. Acuña)
Presidential Legal Counsel and Spokesperson Salvador S. Panelo. (PNA file Photo)