President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos, Jr. will not lift the state of public health emergency due to Covid-19 yet, the Department of Health (DOH) said on Friday, Oct. 28.
DOH Officer-in-Charge Maria Rosario Vergeire was asked about it following the recent meeting of Marcos with World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
“I don’t think there would be that kind of concept although Dr. Tedros told the President that there was just a recent meeting among the higher officials of the WHO which decides on this public health emergency,” said Vergeire in a press briefing.
“He specifically told the President that in the recent meeting, the vote was to still continue on with the public health emergency,” she added.
“‘Not yet at this time,’ he told that to the President and the President said ‘yes, we understand,’” furthered Vergeire.
The DOH OIC believes that Marcos will not lift the public health emergency immediately.
“I think the President would do this gradually... And of course he is trying to balance also. So, I don’t think there is this kind of thinking already...right now immediately,” said Vergeire.
“Maybe in the coming months that will again discussed but the President believes and also uses the guide given by experts like Dr. Tedros,” she added.
The state of public health emergency due to Covid-19 was declared by former President Rodrigo Duterte in 2020.
Under this, "all citizens, residents, tourists, and establishment owners are urged to act within the bounds of the law and to comply with the lawful directives and advisories to be issued by appropriate government agencies to prevent further transmission of the Covid-19 and ensure the safety and well-being of all."
This shall "remain in force and effect until lifted or withdrawn by the President."