Marcos Eyes COVID State Of Emergency Until Yearend

President Marcos is inclined to extend the imposition of a state of public health emergency throughout the country until the end of the year amid the rising COVID-19 cases caused by new subvariants of the coronavirus.?

“Yes, we were discussing it with (Health) Undersecretary (Maria Rosario) Vergeire because the international medical community is providing us a lot under a state of emergency. WHO (World Health Organization) is one of them. And if the state of emergency ends, these (assistance) would stop,” Marcos told reporters in Filipino and English during the launch of the “Pinas Lakas” vaccination campaign in Manila on Wednesday, Aug. 17.

Former president Rodrigo Duterte signed Proclamation No. 922 in March 2020, declaring a state of public health emergency throughout the Philippines in light of confirmed local transmission cases of COVID-19 then.?

Under the proclamation, “all government agencies and local government units are enjoined to render full assistance and cooperation and mobilize the necessary resources to undertake critical, urgent and appropriate response and measures in a timely manner to curtail and eliminate the COVID-19 threat.”?

Section 3 of the proclamation also states that “the secretary of health may call upon the Philippine National Police and other law enforcement agencies to provide assistance in addressing the COVID-19 threat.”?

“The state of public health emergency shall remain in force and effect until lifted or withdrawn by the President,” it said.?

Marcos, however, said they are also considering amending laws, including rules on procurement, during health emergencies.

“But if we can change – we are looking at amending the law in terms of procurement and all of that in the middle of an emergency. But that will take time. So most likely, we will extend it until the end of the year,” he added.?

In his speech during the Department of Health-led vaccination drive at SM Manila, the President again rallied public support for the government’s COVID-19 booster rollout, stressing its importance in opening the economy and preventing crippling lockdowns.

He underscored the importance of getting people boosted against COVID-19, noting the threats posed by the virus as immunity wanes and as more contagious variants emerge.?

“I have come here today to highlight the importance of having the booster shot, to show everyone that it is safe, it is effective and it is needed,” Marcos, who contracted and recovered from the disease twice, said.?

The Chief Executive tested positive for COVID-19 last month, just a few days after assuming the presidency. He first contracted the disease in 2020.?

“With us trying to open the economy, trying to open the schools, trying to bring everything back to a normal situation, as we face a lot of problems to bring back a normal situation, the booster will play an important (role) in bringing us back to that condition,” he said.?

The government will also look into newly developed vaccines for their possible use in the country, according to Marcos.?

“I was just told by (Undersecretary) Vergeire, it seems that there is a vaccine for these new variants of Omicron. So, we will study, and if it is going to be helpful, we will do everything to bring it here in the Philippines so that we can give everyone who needs a booster shot,” he said.

BBM receives second booster

The President joked about prolonging his speech to delay his vaccination, saying he is afraid of the needle.?

Marcos and his eldest son Ilocos Norte 1st District Rep. Sandro Marcos received Pfizer vaccines as their second booster doses during the event.?Vergeire administered the vaccine to Marcos, while Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna gave the shot to the younger Marcos. Vergeire and Lacuna are both doctors.?

The Marcoses rested at the venue for 15 minutes after their vaccination and later granted media interviews.

The President told journalists he has not experienced any side effects after his vaccination.?

“My arm didn’t hurt, so I feel fine. Thank you,” he said.?

In his vlog last month, the 64-year-old Marcos said the vaccines as well as a booster dose saved him from a possibly severe illness.?

“I would like to take this opportunity to again emphasize the importance of getting vaccinated and also of the booster shots. This was the second time I got COVID, but I believe my symptoms would have been worse if it weren’t for the vaccine and booster,” he said in Filipino.?

To date, more than 18,900 Pinas Lakas vaccination sites have been launched nationwide, aimed at ramping up booster vaccination in the country.