DOH to reconstitute IATF member agencies; those with relevant functions to be retained

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health (DOH) will reconstitute the member agencies of the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases, the Palace announced onTuesday.

“The DOH is also reconstituting the member agencies of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases to only those with relevant and intended functions,” Malacanang said in a press release.

Quoting DOH officer-in-charge Ma. Rosario Vergeire, the Palace said the DOH will streamline IATF meetings and processes “with clear directives to assist in safe reopening and will be utilizing the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council platform.”

“The platform will replace the National Task Force Against COVID-19 to integrate it with the regular processes,” Palace said.

“This will allow the IATF health expert groups to continue their work as they serve as the voice of science in the country,” it added.

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. met on Monday with officials of the DOH.

During the meeting, Marcos agreed to retain the current COVID-19 alert level system in the meantime as the DOH vowed to come up with new alert level classification by mid-August.

According to Marcos, the new health restriction classification needs to be more compatible with the “current milder strains that afflict the patients.”

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