Malacañang is hopeful that the Nayong Pilipino Foundation (NPF) will not make decisions that will contradict the orders of President Duterte as it is still under his supervision.
Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque made the statement following the resignation of Lucille Karen Malilong-Isberto as executive director of the NPF following the planned construction of a mega coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination facility at Nayong Pilipino in Parañaque City.
In his press briefing on Monday, Roque reminded the NPF that it is a government-owned and -controlled corporation (GOCC) that is still under the supervision of the President and that Duterte's wish to have the facility is important.
"Ang panawagan po natin sa board ng Nayong Pilipino, eto na naman po, lahat po ng GOCC nasa ilalim pa rin ng supervision ni Presidente (Our appeal to the members of the board of the NPF--here we go again--all GOCCs are still under the supervision of President Duterte)," he said.
"Sana ang mga desisyon nila ay 'wag kokontra doon sa napakahalagang misyon na pangalagaan ang buhay ng ating mga kababayan (We hope that you decisions will not contradict the very important mission to save the lives of the people)," he added.
Roque explained that the construction of the facility has a legal basis.
"'Yan po ay pursuant to inherent police powers ng ating Presidente at 'yan naman po ay para itaguyod ang kalusugan ng lahat (That is pursuant to the police powers of the President and this is to promote everyone's safety)," he said.
Meanwhile, Roque said he has no information if President Duterte has accepted the resignation of Isberto.
The Department of Tourism (DOT)–the mother agency of the NPF–first floated the planned walk-in and drive-through immunization site at Nayong Pilipino last month. The group of ports tycoon Enrique Razon Jr. was supposed to bankroll the facility, which could inoculate up to 12,000 people a day from COVID-19 once operational.
The NPF has reportedly raised concerns against the facility that it said would be built in a "thriving urban forest."