President Rodrigo R. Duterte has ordered Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Roy Cimatu to oversee the situation of Cebu City due to its increasing number of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases.
The President has been saddened by the fate of the city and has tasked the DENR Chief to report on the pandemic situation in the city.
“Naghahanap ako ng emergency operations center. (I’m looking for an emergency operations center). I’m sure Secretary Cimatu can look (into this) as long as he has the support and assistance of the Cebu local officials, both national and local. I am calling particularly DOH and DILG and the National Task Force to assist Secretary Cimatu.”
The environment secretary has taken the task given to him by the Chief Executive, “I fully accept your challenge you gave for Cebu, Mr. President. Just like the orders you gave to me before to go to Boracay and we changed the cesspool image sa (in) Boracay into what it is now.“
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque has clarified in his presser that Cimatu remains to be the DENR Secretary apart from his new assignment. – Report from Mela Lesmoras
