By Ellalyn De Vera-Ruiz Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Roy Cimatu, who was sent to oversee the Inter-agency Task Force (IATF) pandemic response in Cebu, seeks to address the inadequate coordination between barangay officials and city, municipal, and provincial officials amid a spike in coronavirus cases in the metropolis in the past few weeks. Speaking on behalf of Cimatu, DENR Undersecretary Benny Antiporda during the Laging Handa briefing on Saturday pointed out the need to set aside political differences among the local officials of Cebu to provide a collective action to fight COVID-19. "After they disregard their political differences, it follows that the increasing cases of coronavirus in Cebu can be easily addressed," he pointed out. "Isantabi muna ang usaping politikal. Magsama-sama muna ang lahat para mailigtas natin ang buhay ng ating mga kababayan sa Cebu. (Put aside the political issues first. Let's all come together so we can save the lives of our fellow citizens in Cebu)," Antiporda said. "Very simple lang. Pagkakaisa-isa ang galaw para di malito ang taumbayan. (It is very simple. There should be a coordinated action so that they do not confuse the people)," he added. Also noting that there are discrepancies in the COVID-19 data, the DENR spokesperson said there is a need to reconcile the coronavirus data from the local and national health offices to be able to provide effective solutions to the problem. Antiporda said the DENR chief will be giving to President Duterte his recommendation on Cebu City quarantine status after June 30. He also assured that Cimatu's actions in Cebu are still subject to the approval of the IATF, noting concerns that the DENR secretary would be acting on his own in addressing the issues in Cebu.