Proper consultation done with LGUs on expansion of alert level system–Palace

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque. FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Local government units (LGUs) that were included in the expansion of the implementation of the government’s new alert level system were properly consulted, Malacañang said on Thursday.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque is responding to the appeal of the League of Provinces of the Philippines (LPP) to defer the implementation of the alert level system in provinces for them to be able to have more time to prepare.

Roque clarified that the implementation of the alert level system will not involve all provinces in the country and only over select areas.

“Lahat ng mga rehiyon at mga probinsya na magpapatupad ng Alert Level System, kinonsulta ang mga LGUs,” he said.

(All of the regions and provinces that will implement the new alert level system were consulted.)

“Hindi lang siguro nakonsulta ang buong league of governors kasi hindi naman i-implement sa lahat ng probinsya ang alert level system,” he added.

(All of the league of governors were not consulted since the alert level system will not be implemented in all provinces.)

Roque said there was no appeal that was formally submitted to the government’s pandemic task force.

LPP President and Marinduque governor Presbitero Velasco Jr. earlier said governors were apprehensive that the instantaneous implementation of the new alert level system in some provinces, which began on Oct. 20, might catch their constituents unaware, leaving little room for preparation.

The league asked to defer the implementation to Nov. 1. 

The new alert level system was implemented on a pilot test basis in Metro Manila on September 16.

The government then decided to expand the pilot implementation to other areas, which are the following:

Alert level 4

• Negros Oriental
• Davao Occidental

Alert Level 3

• Cavite
• Laguna
• Rizal
• Siquijor
• Davao City
• Davao del Norte

Alert Level 2

• Batangas
• Quezon
• Lucena City
• Bohol
• Cebu City
• Lapu-Lapu City
• Mandaue City
• Cebu
• Davao de Oro
• Davao del Sur
• Davao Oriental

READ: https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1503732/govt-expands-new-alert-level-system-beyond-metro-manila