MANILA—More than a month after the lockdown, local government units (LGUs) are enabled to lead the fight against Coronavirus-19 (Covid-19) that already killed more than 400 Filipinos and infected 6,000 others, within their respective jurisdictions.
Cabinet Secretary Karlo Alexi Nograles, spokesperson of the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) on Emerging Infectious Disease said Satuday during a virtual press briefing that the IATF decided in its meeting on Friday, April 17, of a local government-led and people-centered response to Covid-19 through the issuance of IATF Resolution No. 25.
He said “The IATF adopts a national government-enabled, local government unit-led, and people-centered response to Covid-19 health event.” This may mean that LGUs are given greater responsibility in ensuring that directives of the IATF and the guidelines for the implementation of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) issued by the Department of Health are enforced and followed in accordance with their situation in the field.
The IATF resolution also states that “LGUs are enjoined to pursue regional cooperation in leading the fight against Covid-19.” As such, LGUs, as key player in the fight against Covid-19 must be able to participate in important deliberations and to provide inputs to the regional and national plan and response to the pandemic crisis.
CabSec. Nograles futher said the “IATF directed all government agencies to recommend sector-specific plans, strategies, and targets to the task force and ordered the National Task Force Covid-19 to develop new operational plans.”
