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Malacañang on Monday said the Philippines was preparing to move out of the state of calamity it is under due to Covid-19 awaiting government review.
Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles said the government could extend the state of calamity “for possibly three months,” and then transition out of it after “further review.”
“We are happy to announce that we are 6 percent away from the wall of immunity, that is why…malakas na loob natin for face masks. Now, congruent to that as well, the state of calamity is extended for possibly three months, but only for the purpose of…indemnification, emergency procurement, special risk allowance for health care workers,” she said in a Palace briefing.
“We will transition out of the state of calamity after further review. So good news all around,” she added.
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s decision to extend the state of calamity would hinge on the recommendation of the Department of Health (DOH), Cruz-Angeles earlier said.
The DOH remains without a secretary to date.
Former president Rodrigo Duterte first placed the Philippines under a state of calamity due to Covid-19 in March 2020.
In September 2021, he stretched the declaration until Sept. 12, 2022.
The imposition of a state of calamity will allow the government to monitor and control the prices of basic necessities and prime commodities and provide basic services. John Ezekiel J. Hirro