President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday has placed the entire Philippines under a state of calamity by virtue of Proclamation No. 929 to further contain the spread of COVID-19.
Under the proclamation, all government agencies and local government units (LGUs) are enjoined to render full assistance and cooperation with each other, and mobilize necessary resources for the COVID-19 response.
All law enforcement agencies, as well as other sectors, are also directed to undertake all necessary measures.
The Palace also released Tuesday night Memorandum Circular No. 77.
The memorandum directs all government agencies, offices and instrumentalities, as well as LGUs to implement and ensure compliance with the issuances of the Department of Health (DOH) and Department of Agriculture (DA) on the prices of essential emergency medicines and supplies, and selected agriculture and fishery commodities.
Based on the memorandum, the implementation of price control takes effect immediately. – Report from Mela Lesmoras