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DOH recommends extension of state of calamity to NDRRMC as COVID-19 lingers
The Department of Health (DOH) on Friday said it submitted a recommendation to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) to extend the state of calamity in the country due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In a press briefing, DOH officer-in-charge Maria Rosario Vergeire said the department made the pitch following President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.'s earlier pronouncement that the state of calamity will “most likely” be in place until the end of the year.
“So with that pronouncement, what we did was to communicate with the NDRRMC kasi ang NDRRMC ang nagre-recommend sa presidente when it comes to the state of calamity,” Vergeire said.
“We already forwarded our recommendations to NDRRMC together with the different basis bakit natin siya pinapaextend. And we are just waiting because the next council meeting is next week for this to be approved,” she added.
Vergeire said the department also directed the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to encourage vaccine manufacturers to apply for their Certificate of Product Registration (CPR).
“In parallel what we are doing right now is to manage and address the considerations that we have. Katulad nyan ang FDA napagutusan na natin na maging proactive na para bilisan na yung pagencourage sa ating manufacturers to apply for their CPRs and the other considerations as well like the amendment of RA 11525,” she said.
“So part of the reasons why the President also pronounced that the state of calamity be extended was because we know the process and timelines on how we can be able amend a law, yung RA 11525,” she said.
“So we know that hindi siya aabot, that’s why the decision was made and we are now facilitating so that we can be able to have NDRRMC approve this and give it to the President as recommendation,” she added.
Vergeire earlier asked Congress to extend the validity of the COVID-19 Vaccination Program Act, saying its provisions would become invalid once the state of calamity is lifted.
Under Section 17 of RA 11525, the act shall remain in full force and effect during the period of the state of calamity as declared under Proclamation No. 1021 dated September 16, 2020 issued by the President of the Philippines.
In September 2021, former President Rodrigo Duterte extended the COVID-19 state of calamity in the country until September 12, 2022.
“This declaration will, among others, effectively afford the national government as well as local government units ample latitude to continue to implement the COVID-19 vaccination program,” Duterte had said in his proclamation.
This would also allow the government to utilize appropriate funds, including a Quick Response Fund, and monitor and control prices of basic necessities and prime commodities as well as provide basic services to affected populations.—LDF, GMA News
