There is no longer a need to extend the Covid-19 state of calamity imposed throughout the country, a health expert said on Saturday, Sept. 3.

First imposed on March 16, 2020 former President Rodrigo Duterte under Proclamation 929 declared a state of calamity throughout the Philippines due to the Covid-19 pandemic. It then expired and was extended until Sept. 12, 2022.

Days before it is set to expire anew, the Department of Health (DOH) aired its recommendation to extend the implementation of the state of calamity throughout the country once again. This, however, did not sit well with health experts including health reform advocate Dr. Anthony “Tony” Leachon.

Leachon, in an interview over DZRH on Saturday, Sept. 3, said the proposed extension of the state of calamity until December 2022 aims to raise the tally of boosted Filipinos. While this can be beneficial to the country, the expert underscored that the plan will not be as successful as desired due to the “very anemic” inoculation drives in the Philippines.

“Ang state of calamity ay magbibigay lang ng bad connotation to investors na tayo ay delikado pa. Walang pupunta sa ating investors (The state of calamity will only give a bad connotation to investors that the Philippines is still dangerous. No investors will come to us),” Leachon added

For the health expert, there are other ways to strengthen the country’s “wall of immunity” against the disease other than the imposition of a state of calamity.

Antiviral drugs against Covid-19

Apart from the redefinition of the term “fully vaccinated”, Leachon's recommendations include the use of antiviral drugs like Molnupiravir and Paxlovid.

“Huwag na nating i-extend ang state of calamity. Matumal ang pag-accept ng tao sa booster. , ang bilhin natin ay mga antiviral drugs na Molnupiravir at Paxlovid at learn to live with the virus na tayo pero huwag muna natin tanggalin ang face mask (Let us not extend the state of calamity. People’s acceptance to booster is slow. Instead, let us buy antiviral drugs like Molnupiravir and Paxlovid and learn to live with the virus but let us not take off the mask first)

Leachon added that these antiviral drugs are now available in selected drug stores and pharmacies.

“Ang dami nang bumibili ng mga antiviral drugs. Maraming nagtataka kung nasa na – gusto ko pong sabihin na nabibili na po . If we want to live with the virus at kung ayaw na pong magpabakuna ng mga tao, ito pong orderin niyo in bulk at mas mura po ito (Many people are now buying antiviral drugs. A lot of people are wondering if these drugs are available in pharmacies and drugstores – I want to say that these are now available. If we want to live with the virus and if people no longer want to be vaccinated, let us order these drugs in bulk instead and it will be cheaper),” he said.