PCOO Undersecretary for Administration and Legal Affairs Marvin Gatpayat speaks in behalf of Secretary Martin Andanar at the briefing on the 2019-nCoV with the Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (RTF-ELCAC) Region X on Tuesday, February 4, 2020.
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Communications Secretary urged members of the Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (RTF-ELCAC) Region X to rally behind President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s call to avoid panic and discrimination, while the government promptly delivers responses to counter the spread of the 2019-Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV).
Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar, who is also the designated Cabinet Officer for Regional Development and Security (CORDS X) for Northern Mindanao, organized a meeting with member agencies of the Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (RTF-ELCAC) Region X in order to brief them on the latest government efforts against the 2019-nCoV.
“In the words of the President, there is nothing to be afraid of, and that everything is well in our country. The fatality rate remains low, and our health officials are closely monitoring those suspected to carry the virus. But despite his optimism, he calls on public servants to be prepared, and to act upon our duties to swiftly deliver government services relevant to countering the spread of the nCoV, and at the same time spread truthful, relevant, timely, and non-alarmist information,” said Secretary Andanar, as delivered by Undersecretary Marvin Gatpayat.
President Duterte ordered concerned Cabinet members on Monday evening, to closely monitor how the government can carefully bring home overseas Filipino workers, subject to precautionary measures.
He also called on the public to stop “Sinophobia” and other forms of discrimination against any nationality amidst the spread of the Coronavirus.
“Let’s continue to remain calm and do our jobs well, as we closely monitor such developments and take appropriate actions. Let us not resort to panic, sow fear-mongering or spread misinformation,” Secretary Andanar said.
“Solidarity, empathy, and cooperation are what we need to successfully take actions that will overcome this health concern,” he added.
Moreover, Assistant Secretary JV Arcena stressed that the government has already done s much to respond to the nCoV threat. For the PCOO, he said that the Laging Handa was activated to provide integrated updates from the government. It is a one-stop information program for emergency and disaster preparedness.
He also added that the PCOO has utilized traditional media and social media to inform the public about the 2019-nCoV situation. “Moving forward, the PCOO will continue to amplify President Duterte’s directives,” Arcena said.
