Malacañang has confirmed that President Rodrigo Duterte submitted his weekly report to Congress on the government plans against the Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) as part of his responsibility under the “Bayanihan to Heal as One Act”.
Meanwhile, Inter-Agency Task Force on Emergency Infectious Diseases (IATF) Spokesperson and Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles has announced new directives under the IATF Resolution no. 17.
“The Department of Tourism (DOT) shall finalize the identification of hotels and other similar establishments as quarantine facilities in every region of the country. The Bureau of Quarantine is directed to assess the adequacy of such facilities identified by the DOT. “
Cabinet Secretary Nograles said that the IATF endorses the procurement of additional supply of husked rice (bigas) to secure supply amid the COVID-19 crisis.
“The IATF recommends to the Office of the President the proposal of the Department of Agriculture to import a total of 300,000 metric tons of rice by the Philippine International Trading Corporation (PITC) through government-to-government arrangements for contingency purposes. “
The IATF has also recruited a new member that will help achieve a swift process on the government’s strides against COVID—19.
“The Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) shall form part of the expanded membership of the IATF. Panghuli, isinasama na po ang ARTA bilang kasapi ng IATF para matulungan po tayo sa pagtanggal ng red tape sa ating mga procedures and processes. (Lastly, the ARTA is now part of the IATF to help in getting rid of red tape in our procedures and processes),” the IATF Spokesperson added.
Cabinet Secretary Nograles assured that the government will continuously focus on the situation in every sector until the current crisis will be eradicated.
Report from Mela Lesmoras
