Malacañang assured local government units (LGUs) that the government's pandemic task force was not deaf to their concerns but asked them to implement its anti-coronavirus (COVID-19) resolutions first because these were adopted on behalf of President Duterte.
Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque made the statement after LGUs and health experts expressed concern about the decision of the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases to allow the presentation of vaccination cards in lieu of testing requirements for the interzonal travel of fully vaccinated individuals.
In his press briefing on Thursday, July 8, Roque explained why LGUs must follow the decisions of the IATF.
"IATF resolutions are resolutions adopted for and on behalf of the President in the exercise of police power," he said.
"That's binding on all unless you declare yourself to be an independent republic," he added.
Despite this, he reminded LGUs that the Task Force was not shutting down their valid concerns but asked them to implement the resolutions first.
"Hindi naman po bingi ang IATF. Pinakikinggan naman po ang sinasabi ng lokal na pamahalaan (The IATF is not deaf. It listens to whatever the LGUs are saying)," he said.
"Pero hanggang mag-decide po o baguhin ng IATF ang mga patakaran, kinakailangan ipatupad po muna (But unless the IATF makes a decision or changes the rules, you have to implement these protocols first)," he added.
According to Roque, the IATF has decided to have a meeting to address the concerns of LGUs and health experts regarding its recent decision on the interzonal travel of fully vaccinated individuals.
"This will again be discussed kasi sabi ko nga po, hindi naman pwede baliwalain ang mga posisyon lalong-lalo na ng mga lokal na pamahalaan dahil sila naman po nagpapatupad ng mga IATF resolutions (but as I said, the IATF cannot disregard the positions of LGUs because they are the ones implementing the resolutions)," he said.
"So the IATF will address the concerns of the LGUs pero, for now, wala pa pong bagong resolution na naa-adopt (but, for now, no new resolution has been adopted)," he added.
On Sunday, July 4, Roque announced that the IATF has allowed the interzonal travel of fully vaccinated individuals, including seniors, subject to the presentation of the following as an alternative to testing requirements:
- COVID-19 vaccination card issued by legitimate vaccinating establishments
- Certificate of quarantine completion showing the holder’s vaccination status as may be issued by the Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ)
In his press briefing on Thursday, Roque said that the IATF made the decision to give those who have completed their inoculation some kind of an incentive.
"It was decided na (that) because you are fully vaccinated, as a way of incentivizing..." he said.
He added that the IATF came to the decision because fully vaccinated individuals have less probability of getting severe symptoms.