DESPITE the decision of the World Health Organization (WHO) to lift the public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) status of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), the Department of Health (DOH) yesterday said the State of Public Health Emergency remains in effect in the Philippines.
In a press conference, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said President Marcos Jr. has yet to lift the country’s status.
“The public health emergency of international concern is a global pronouncement of the World Health Organization. They have the authority to declare this. (But) countries are not required to follow the WHO when they declare this. We have our own proclamation by the former President declaring the public health emergency,” Vergeire said.
Vergeire, though, hinted at the possibility of the Philippines following the lead of the WHO, citing the move it made at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“When the WHO declared this PHEIC for COVID-19, our country aligned with the WHO in declaring the public health emergency,” recalled Vergeire.
It was back on January 30, 2020 when the WHO declared COVID-19 as a PHEIC. Last May 5, it lifted the global emergency status for coronavirus.
Under Proclamation No. 922, issued on March 8, 2020, former President Duterte placed the country under a State of Public Health Emergency “until lifted by the President.”
Duterte likewise issued Proclamation No. 929 on March 16, 2020 placing the entire country under a State of Calamity, but this was extended only until December 31, 2022 via Proclamation No. 57.
According to Vergeire, the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) has already been convened to discuss the implications of the PHEIC lifting to the country’s COVID-19 protocols.
“All our recommendations will be submitted to the President for his consideration and approval… our timeline is we will be submitting them to the President by Monday of next week,” said Vergeire even as she refused to give details.
“For now, all policies based on executive orders and IATF-EID resolutions shall be in effect until otherwise repealed,” said Vergeire.
While waiting for the actions of the Philippine government, the DOH noted how COVID-19 cases are still on the rise in the country.
Vergeire said the Philippines is now seeing an average of 1,400 cases per day, which is an 87 percent increase from the previous week that had 747 average cases.
She said, however, that such increases are “expected” since the virus remains present in the communities.
“It is normal to see increases or decreases (in cases) in the country. It depends on the mobility and other factors affecting the transmission of the virus,” said Vergeire.
What is important, she stressed, is that COVID-19 cases do not translate into hospital admissions, pointing out that COVID bed utilization remains at 21 percent, while ICU bed utilization is at 16 percent only.
“Both of these are classified as low risk utilization rate for our hospitals. It means that we are able to manage our cases,” said Vergeire.
Nevertheless, the DOH reiterated its call for everybody to maintain vigilance against COVID-19 by wearing face masks and getting vaccinated.
