Interior and Local Government Sec. Benjamin Abalos Jr. (Albert Calvelo/Senate PRIB)
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Thursday supported President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s decision to extend the state of calamity in the country, saying the government will have more time to beef up its COVID-19 response.
“With this extension, we commit to continue to shepherd our local government units (LGUs) to sustain their efforts in mitigating and preventing the spread of COVID-19 in their respective localities, and to ensure the safety and protection of their constituents against the virus,” Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. said in a statement.
He explained that the government could use the extra three months to launch economic, social, and health efforts to help the country and the people adjust to the new normal and face the challenges posed by the ongoing pandemic.
Abalos also renewed the call for LGUs to use the appropriate funds, including the Quick Response Fund, “to address the needs of their constituents, and speed up their COVID-19 vaccination and booster drive to strengthen our nation’s wall of immunity.”
He said the DILG would do everything in its power to assist them during the transition period, noting that the agency’s current top priority is to protect the Filipino people from the devastating effects of the COVID-19 outbreak through swift, effective response and appropriate services.
Marcos earlier issued Proclamation No. 57 following a recommendation from the National Disaster Risk-Reduction and Management Council.
With this, the country’s calamity state is extended until December 31, 2022, the Malacañang announced Monday. – Trisha Manalaysay, Inquirer.net Intern