CEBU CITY – A member of the Cebu Provincial Board is calling for the abolition of the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging and Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID), the national government’s lead COVID-19 response body.
In a virtual interview with reporters on Monday, Provincial Board (PB) Member John Ismael Borgonia said he will submit his resolution on Monday, October 11.
Borgonia expressed confidence that majority of the PB members will support and eventually approve the resolution.
Borgonia said that instead of the IATF-EID, the local government units (LGUs) should be the ones to lead their respective COVID-19 responses.
The national government may only intervene if the LGUs ask for help, Borgonia said.
Borgonia added the LGUs are more familiar with what is happening on the ground.
Borgonia added that some COVID-19 measures set by the IATF are “out of touch.”
“We already have several clashes with IATF so that is why we want the LGU to take the lead because the IATF is not in touch with reality. In fact, they have policies that are often criticized and policies that are funny,” said Borgonia as he cited the controversial mandatory using of motorcycle barriers and face shields.
Borgonia likewise cited the Local Government Code that only allows the IATF-EID to handle a nationwide health emergency for a period of six months.
Furthermore, Borgonia said it is the officials who can be held accountable to the people and not the IATF.