A party-list congressman has highlighted the need to immediately create a national task force as the country reported its first case of the moneypox virus.
AGRI Party-list Rep. Wilbert Lee sought the urgent creation of the task force to monitor the status and curb the spread of moneypox in House Resolution (HR) No. 134, which he filed on Monday, Aug. 1.
The first moneypox case is a 31-year-old Filipino national who arrived home from abroad last July 19.
The individual who contracted the virus had prior travel to countries with documented moneypox cases and had 10 close contacts, according to the Department of Health (DOH).
READ: PH confirms first monkeypox case
In his resolution, Lee said the task force must be composed of relevant government agencies in partnership with the private sector.
Such task force shall enhance government preparations and develop strategies that aim to prevent community transmission of the moneypox infections.
The national task force shall also “update the public on the status of this disease, implement robust decisions...and develop education and strategic communication materials".
In addressing monkeypox, the Bicolano emphasized the need to apply the lessons learned by Filipinos from their experience in dealing with Covid-19 that requires “a whole of nation approach".
“Kailangan natin ng mabilis at agrisibong aksyon lalo pa’t nasa pandemya pa rin tayo. Napakahalaga po ng edukasyon ukol dito para maimulat ang marami nating kababayan kung paano makakaiwas sa nakahahawang sakit (We need urgent and aggressive action, especially we are still in a pandemic. Education about it is very important to raise awareness of many of our countrymen on how to prevent the infectious disease),” Lee said in a statement accompanied by the copy of the resolution.