The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Thursday, Dec. 30, expressed readiness to bring back the implenentation of stringent health and safety protocols in case the national government decides to heighten the Alert Level status amid increasing cases of coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Police Gen. Dionardo Carlos, PNP Chief, said there is already an established template with regards to the implementation of stricter Alert Level as directed by the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases.
"Each Alert Level System has a set of protocol to implement. The initial step is to orient every police unit about the protocol and work with the LGU in the enforcement," Carlos said.
The country follows a uniform protocol classification that is Alert Level 2 until the end of 2021.
“But if the decision is to implement different Alert Level systems in various LGUs, then the PNP stands to recalibrate strategies according to the guidelines stipulated in every Alert Level,” Carlos said.
The PNP Chief made the remark as the country saw an uptick of COVID-19 cases in the past week.
From an average daily case of 200, new infections have been doubled as independent OCTA Research Group projects it will reach 1,200 to 1,500 in the coming weeks.
The positivity rate in the National Capital Region also reached more than five percent last Monday, the first time since it happened since October, according to OCTA.
As such, Carlos appealed to the public to adhere to the safety protocols to contain the spread of the disease.
He also instructed security personnel in establishments to serve as force multipliers in ensuring that health protocols are strictly observed by their customers.
He said police personnel "can’t be in every public place at all times" and with this limitation, the assistance of private security officer will be "a major boost" to the police force.
Carlos also agreed to recommendations that LGUs should enforce granular lockdown in specific areas with high number of cases.
“This is a proven approach. The residents in the area are given much attention. The movement is controlled, but the possibility of spreading the virus is lesser,” Carlos added.