Revised COVID-19 protocols now with Palace, says Pia Cayetano

The Department of Health (DOH) has submitted a revised COVID-19 response protocol to Malacañang, Senator Pia Cayetano said Wednesday.

Cayetano disclosed this at the Senate plenary deliberations on DOH’s proposed P353.269 billion budget for next year after Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III mentioned that some countries are undertaking a review of their respective COVID-19 response.

“What is the sentiment or the stand of the Department of Health on this subject matter? Should the Republic of the Philippines undertake a review of our COVID-19 response?” Pimentel asked.

In response, Cayetano said the DOH has already done a review.

“The secretary is also saying that they have already… Definitely, they have done it,” she said.

“It has been submitted to the Office of the Executive Secretary,’ she added.

According to Cayetano, the report on the revised COVID-19 response protocol can be shared with the Senate.

She offered to file a resolution and invite the DOH to present the findings in the report.

The report will contain a technical review of the COVID-19 response, as well as the total amount of vaccines that were wasted, Cayetano said.

In July, the Philippine government lifted the State of Public Health Emergency throughout the Philippines due to COVID-19 through President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s issuance of Proclamation No. 297.—LDF, GMA Integrated News