As the new community quarantine levels take effect next month, President Duterte has expressed satisfaction with the efforts of the local government units to help contain the coronavirus pandemic.
(ROBINSON NIÑAL / PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
In a televised address Monday night, the President recognized that government officials are mandated to serve the people, saying those who are unable to do so may leave the government.
"I'm really satisfied with the response of the local government. Alam mo, sa totoo lang mga kababayan ko, huwag kayong masyadong maniwala diyan sa mga atake-atake na ano, it will just muddle up your mind (To my countrymen, do no believe the attacks. It will just muddle up your mind)," Duterte said.
"Our purpose is to serve and to work. If we cannot serve, if we cannot work, then we might as well get out of government and ask somebody else to take over," he said.
As the nation battles the coronavirus pandemic, Duterte said the government is a huge organization "dedicated to the needs of the people."
He said barangay units must be maximized to help communities cope with the public health emergency. He said the barangay health emergency response teams are "put on notice" to ensure they are present in all communities.
"The government has the structure down to the barangay level. From my office down to the secretary of Health, then the regional, then the city, provincial, municipal, then the barangays. Kaya may mga barangay health workers tayo eh (That's why we have barangay health workers)," he said.
"And I hope that we have been using their services actually to maximize, to help us deliver all of these things sa tao (to the people)," he added.
The President had earlier approved the recommendation of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases to keep Metro Manila under the General Community Quarantine (GCQ) for the month of October. Four other areas were also placed under GCQ. They are Batangas, Tacloban City, Bacolod City, and Iligan City.
Lanao del Sur will stay under the more restrictive modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) from Oct. 1 to 31. Other parts of the country will remain under the Modified General Community Quarantine (MGCQ).