The implementation of the third phase of the National Action Plan (NAP) against COVID-19 has been started despite a decrease in reported cases.
NTF Spokesperson MGen. Restituto Padilla Jr. announced in online forum that the third phase will give more attention to the further opening of the economy unlike the first two phases. Despite focusing on economic recovery, the third phase will still include improved strategy on prevention, detection, isolation, treatment, and recovery to avoid the shoot-up of recorded confirmed COVID-19 cases.
Strict implementation of health protocols will continue amid adjustments in the situation.
“As our numbers continue to go down, at ‘di na nagsi-spike gaya noong mga nakaraang buwan, sana ma-maintain natin ito… Pero ang key ingredient nito ay ang participation at ambag ng bawat mamamayang Pilipino (As our numbers continue to go down and have not spiked, we hope to maintain this … But the key ingredient here is the participation and contribution of each Filipino citizen),” Padilla stated.
As for the recommendation of the OCTA Research Group to elevate the quarantine classification of some areas, the NTF will just leave the decision to local government units.
Meanwhile, the NTF clarified that the shortening of curfew hours and the expansion of age group of individuals allowed to go out are mere recommendations to the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID). The LGUs, IATF-EID, and President Rodrigo Duterte have yet to decide on the matter. – Report from Kenneth Paciente
