The declaration of a state of calamity in the whole country has been extended for another year amid its battle against the corona virus disease-2019 (Covid-19) effective September 13, 2020 to September 12, 2021.
This took off from the proclamation earlier promulgated in March 16, 2020 and took effect for six (6) months as part of government efforts to achieve significant strides to enhance and improve the country’s capability in implementing measures against the spread of the deadly disease.
Upon the recommendation of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), Proclamation No. 1021 was signed by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea,
President Rodrigo R. Duterte deemed it necessary to declare the extension as the “number of COVID-19 positive cases and deaths continue to rise despite the efforts and interventions to contain the same.”
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque disclosed, “Ang pananaw po ng President habanga walang bakuna ay nandiyan pa rin po ang banta ng COVID-19. Kaya minabuti po niya na pahabain pa ang declaration ng State of Calamity (It is the President’s view that while there is no vaccine, the threat of COVID-19 is still present. That is why he decided to extend the declaration of State of Calamity.”
Sec. Rqque explained that by virtue of the said proclamation, “Ang ibig saibihin po nito ay magagamit ng mga lokal na pamahalaan ang kanilang mga calamity funds para sa mga hakbang, para labanan ang COVID-19 (This implies that the local government units may be able to use their calamity funds to undertake steps in fighting COVD-19)”.
Apart from being able to use appropriate funds including the Quick Response Fund in their preparedness and response efforts, the declaration also effectively affords the National government, as well as local government units (LGUs) ample latitude to “monitor and control prices of basic necessities and prime commodities, and provide basic services to the affected populations.”
The State of Calamity declaration may be lifted or extended anytime as “circumstances may warrant.”
Sec. Roque cited that one possible factor to lift the SOC is when a vaccine or medicine is produced.
Meanwhile, government agencies, local government units, law enforcement agencies and the Armed Forces of the Philippine were enjoined to continue rendering their full support to eliminate the threat of COVID-19. – Written by Jasmine B. Barrios
