MANILA, Philippines — The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Tuesday said it is reluctant in supporting the downgrading the COVID-19 Alert Level to 1, the least restrictive among the five-tier alert level system.
Interior Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya said the move should be studied thoroughly as the department expressed concern since it is already the campaign period for the 2022 elections.
“Para sa amin sa DILG, nababahala kami rito sa ating campaign period. Napakahirap kasi mag-implement ng minimum public health standards sa panahon ng kampanya,” he said in a Laging Handa public briefing.
(For us, in the DILG, we are concerned over the campaign period. It is difficult to implement health protocols during the campaign period.)
He noted that the local campaign period will open on March 25, and once it starts “it will be much more difficult for the department, the PNP, and the Comelec to enforce the minimum public health standards.”
“Dapat pag-isipan nang mabuti kung tayo ay handa na sa Alert Level 1,” Malaya said.
(We should seriously consider whether or not we are ready for Alert Level 1.)
In the DILG’s consultations with local chief executives, however, Malaya said mayors expressed their readiness in easing the alert level.
Most areas in the country are under Alert Level 2, including Metro Manila, until Feb. 28.
Only seven areas are under Alert Level 3.