President Rodrigo Duterte has officially declared the Philippines under a public state emergency through Proclamation No. 922 due to COVID-19 threat.
Under the proclamation, strengthened cooperation will be implemented by government agencies and local government units (LGUs) to tighten measures against COVID-19.
It also stated the Department of Health (DOH) can seek assistance from the Philippine national Police (PNP) and other law enforcement agencies.
In line with the public health emergency proclamation, the country remains under Alert Level 4 or “Code Red sub-level 1” due to the disease.
The DOH also explained the different alert levels in which level 1 means there are suspected or confirmed cases outside the country, while level 2 (Code Blue) means there is a reported case inside the country. Alert level is raised to 3 when there is a declaration of public health emergency of international concern by the World Health Organization (WHO).
Meanwhile, level 4 sub-level 1 is declared when there is a recorded local transmission of the disease. Sub-level 2 is declared if there is proof of community transmission and continuing spread of the disease more than what the government can address.
The Presidential Communications and Operations Office (PCOO) assured the public the government will continue to strictly monitor the disease until contained.
“Rest assured that we will give a strong and united message, in coordination with IATF members, and ensure to double if not multiply our interventions for the needed information of the public. Vigilance, preparation and solidarity are what we need, both in the private and public sectors. All hands on deck and we will not lower our defenses,” PCOO Sec. Martin Andanar said. – Report from Mela Lesmoras
