PRESIDENT Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. said on Wednesday, August 17, 2022, that he is inclined to extend the state of public health emergency in the country due to the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic.
"Maraming mga binibigay sa international medical community kapag state of emergency (There are many benefits for the international medical community during a state of emergency). The World Health Organization is one of them," Marcos said during a PinasLakas vaccination campaign event of the Department of Health (DOH) in Manila.
"Kung itigil natin ‘yung state of emergency, matitigil ‘yun (If we put an end to being in a state of emergency, we will not reap its benefits). But if we can change — we are looking at amending the law in terms of procurement and all of that in the middle of an emergency. But that will take time. So malamang we will extend it until the end of the year," he added.
The state of public health emergency, which was declared by the former administration in March of 2020, is set to lapse in September.
The DOH said once the state public health emergency is lifted, Covid-19 vaccines' emergency use authorization, price controls for Covid-19 drugs and testing kits and health workers' benefits will "cease to be valid."
The country currently has a total of 36,190 active Covid-19 cases with 30.9 percent hospital occupancy. (SunStar Philippines)