The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) has approved the creation of the "Task Force on Oxygen Supply".
This was bared by Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque on Friday, Sept. 10 during a virtual press briefing. He said the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) will serve as the task force lead, while the Department of Health (DOH) will be the co-lead.
IATF Resolution No. 138 Series of 2021, which formalized the creation of the task force, was released later that day. The resolution was approved Thursday, Sept. 9.
Formed under the National Task Force Against COVID-19, the Task Force on Oxygen Supply is tasked to "design and implement relevant policies in relation to the oxygen supply of the country".
It is widely known that the persisting coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has made oxygen and oxygen tanks in demand not just for the medical sector, but for the general public as well.
Those who have money to spare have taken it upon themselves to purchase an oxygen tank in case a family member gets infected by the dreaded respiratory disease.
There is a current surge in COVID-19 infections in the country, with fresh daily cases now breaching the 20,000-mark.
Other members of the task force include the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Energy (DOE), Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), Bureau of Customs (BOC), Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), and the local government units (LGUs) concerned.
The creation of the task force was earlier recommended by the IATF technical working group.