President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Wednesday, Aug. 17, said he is considering extending the state of public health emergency in the country until year end due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Through Proclamation No. 922, Marcos’ predecessor, President Rodrigo Duterte declared in March 2020 “a state of public health emergency nationwide,” in light of reported local transmissions.
The state of public health emergency calls for strict compliance with the response mechanisms of the government, particularly the utilization of resources to contain the spread of the Coronavirus, which began in 2020.
Speaking at the PinasLakas Vaccination Campaign at SM Manila, Marcos said the proclamation is still “in effect” as government continues to look for ways of “amending the law in terms of procurement, and all of that in the middle of an emergency.”
He added, “But that will take time. So malamang we will extend it until the end of the year.” –OPS
