Senators buck DOH’s halt in release of daily COVID-19 bulletin

Several senators on Monday said they are not in favor of the Department of Health’s (DOH) decision to halt the daily posting of the COVID-19 case bulletin starting January 1, 2022.

In a text message, Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri called this decision as a “mistake,” explaining that the daily bulletin is a “tool” for the public to stay informed about the COVID-19 situation in the country.

“I think that it’s a mistake that the DOH will stop announcing bulletins as its a tool for us, the public to know the positivity rate of infections in the country. Whether it is decreasing or increasing it is the right of the people to know this and be informed about it,” Zubiri said.

“I respectfully urge the DOH to continue these announcements so that we may be guided accordingly. Now more than ever, with the Omicron variant we should be more on guard for the public’s safety,” he added.

Senator Joel Villanueva pointed out that while the COVID-19 cases are currently low, the government must continue to be vigilant and it should encourage the public to continuously monitor the developments related to COVID-19.

“These daily COVID bulletins are a reminder to the public that the problem is not yet over and that we must continue to be careful and practice safety protocols,” he said.

The lawmaker further noted that there are always “gaps in the dissemination of information” despite the efforts to inform the public of the respiratory disease.

“DOH should always ensure that there is accurate and timely information on COVID to help people make the right decision. We can't let our guard down if we want to progress in the reopening of the economy,” Villanueva said.

Senator Francis Pangilinan made a similar point, saying accurate information about the spread of the disease is “crucial in knowing whether or not the spread of the virus is being effectively addressed or not.”

“Daily bulletins are necessary means of providing accurate, timely information to the public at large,” he added.

Meanwhile, Senator Richard Gordon said the public must always be informed to make sure that Filipinos know how to protect themselves from contracting the virus.

“Kailangan mayroong alam ang tao at mas mahalaga nakikinig ang tao para alam nila paano mag-iingat. I think, it’s important para sa kaligtasan ng tao,” he said.

(We need to make sure that the people are informed and most importantly, they are listening so that they will know how to protect themselves. I think, it’s important for the protection of the people.)

Senate President Vicente Sotto III, on the other hand, sensed an “agenda” behind the DOH’s latest policy.

In a media briefing Monday, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said the posting of the daily COVID-19 bulletin will end by December 31, 2021.

The DOH said the tracker will be updated at 4 p.m. daily and can be accessed at doh.gov.ph/covid19tracker.—LDF, GMA News