The Department of Health (DOH) said that the country's policies for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic is “always guided by science."
The DOH made the statement after a survey report titled “The State of Southeast Asia: 2021” released by ASEAN Studies Centre showed that 53.7 percent of Filipino respondents “disapprove” of the government’s handling of the pandemic.
“From the beginning, the DOH’s policies, guidelines, and actions have always been guided by science through our expert groups, including the Technical Advisory Group, the National Immunization Technical Advisory Group, the Health Technology Assessment Council, and many more groups composed of experts from different fields of study organized to ensure appropriate and efficient actions for the benefit of the public and betterment of the nation,” the DOH said in a statement on Thursday, Feb. 11.
The DOH said that it recognizes the “sentiments expressed in the findings of the survey and values the voice of the Filipinos.”
“Which is why the DOH, together with the rest of the government, continues to take steps on improving our health system and ensuring its responsiveness to the health needs of every Filipino,” it said.
The Health department assured that it will continue to improve its responses against the pandemic and “fulfill its mandate of protecting and upholding public health to the highest standard.”
“The Department of Health reiterates that the road to national recovery cannot be taken by the government alone,” it said.
“The government’s response is only as good as the institutions who implement it, and the people who comply with it--every Filipino, every family, and every community has the ability and responsibility to contribute towards national healing,” it added.