Malacañang belied claims that cabinet members are interfering with the response of local government units to the COVID-19 pandemic, following the call of Senator Risa Hontiveros to probe the designation of IATF members to NCR LGUs and its suburbs.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque clarified that the IATF only provides support to the local governments.
“Mali po ‘yung interpretasyon ni Sen. Hontiveros. Wala pong intervention, wala pong panghihimasok ang ginagawa namin (Senator Hontiveros’ interpretation is wrong. No intervention and meddling are taking place),” Roque explained.
“Tinatanong lang po namin kung paano makakatulong ang nasyonal na gobyerno sa lokal na pamahalaan, at heto naman po ang naging karanasan din natin sa Cebu at iba pang lugar (We only ask how the national government can help them, and this was also our experience in Cebu and other areas),” Roque continued.
National Task Force Against COVID-19 Chief Implementer Carlito Galvez Jr. added that the measure will help boost COVID-19 response.
“Alam niyo po sa implementasyon ng ating concept… dapat makita po natin kung harmonized ang local government officials at national government (We should see if the local government officials and the national government are harmonized in the implementation of our concept),” Galvez pointed out.
“Kahit maganda po ang ating plano pero hindi nakikita ang implementasyon sa baba, wala pong mangyayari sa ating plano (Nothing will happen with our plan even if it is good if we are not able to see the implementation in the local level),” he added. – Report from Mela Lesmoras
