Marcos hesitant to extend state of calamity due to COVID-19

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. isn't keen to extend the state of calamity in the Philippines due to COVID-19, saying it was the "wrong mindset" with which to welcome the New Year.

"I'm still very, very hesitant to continue the state of calamity, to extend it because again we are not in a state of calamity anymore, technically speaking," Marcos said.

"And that is the wrong mindset to be approaching the New Year with. So we’re still trying to find ways to continue to provide the benefits to our medical health workers which is the main issue without the state of calamity," he added.

The Department of Health has asked for the extension in consideration of the fact that the Center for Disease Prevention and Control bill was not enacted on time.

The country's state of calamity is set to expire on December 31, 2022.

It was former President Rodrigo Duterte who placed the country under state of calamity until September 12, 2022 due to the pandemic.

According to Duterte's proclamation, a state of calamity throughout the country is needed "in order for the national government and the local government units to continuously deliver COVID-19-related interventions such as but not limited to COVID-19 vaccination program; utilize appropriate funds, including the Quick Response Fund, in their disaster preparedness, and response efforts to contain the spread of the COVID-19; monitor and control prices of basic necessities and prime commodities; and provide basic services to the affected population."

Through Proclamation No. 57, Marcos extended it until year end following a recommendation from the National Disaster Risk-Reduction and Management Council. —NB, GMA Integrated News