The Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) has agreed to require the disclosure of personal information of those who’ve tested positive for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) to strengthen community contact-tracing efforts.
“Para po matulungan ang contact-tracing efforts ng ating pamahalaan, mandatory o required na po ang paglalahad ng personal na impormasyon pagdating sa ating mga COVID-19 cases. (In order to help the contact-tracing efforts of our government, the disclosing of personal information of our COVID-19 cases is now mandatory or required). For this purpose, the DOH and the OCD are directed to enter into a data-sharing agreement (DSA) in accordance with Republic Act No. 10173 or the “Data Privacy Act.”
Other offices, such as the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), have been exempted from traveling during the Enhanced Community Quarantine in Luzon.
“The Philippine Statistics Authority shall be allowed to operate at a capacity necessary to conduct data gathering and survey activities related to COVID-19, including those related to the registration and implementation of the National Identification System. Provided that such exemption shall be without prejudice to the requirement of strict social distancing measures in all its operations and data-gathering activities. “
The IATF has also reiterated the public must only rely on credible sources, especially in the subject of extension of the ECQ. IATF Spokesperson and Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles has assured their decisions are thoroughly vetted. – Report from Mela Lesmoras
