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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider DILG says not yet time to raise Alert Level amid rising COVID-19 cases

DILG says not yet time to raise Alert Level amid rising COVID-19 cases

Published Dec 30, 2021 09:21 am

Despite the slight uptick in coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) believes there is no basis yet to raise the Alert Level in the country.

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"So far wala pa namang basis (there is no basis yet)," DILG Secretary Eduardo Año said when asked whether the rise of cases could prompt the implementation of stricter Alert Level.

He said the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases has not yet tackled the issue but it will meet soon to decide whether or not there is a need to bring back stricter measures to contain the spread of the disease

"On our end, we will strictly implement the compliance to minimum public health standards and prevent super spreader events,” Año added.

But despite the assurance of Año, several concerned citizens expressed fears on the likelihood of another surge with the steady rise of cases during the holiday season due to more relaxed health and safety restrictions.

Former village councilman Cesar Santos Jr., of Marilao, Bulacan, noted that authorities may not have any other option but to adjust the Alert Level System to avert another disastrous COVID-19 spike even if some businesses have to close down, citing that “health more than wealth’’ should be the main priority.

Meanwhile, Pampanga food chain entrepreneur Lian Marie Halili was “horrified’’ with the possibility of wide-range lockdowns should the COVID-19 positivity rate “go out of hand again," a scenario which poses a grim prospect for “business people’’ like her.

Related Tags

alert level COVID-19 spike DILG deep concern lockdown Eduardo Año 2
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