CABARROGUIS, Quirino, Aug. 15 (PIA)—With the state of calamity in the country effective only until next month, Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP) President and Quirino Governor Dakila Carlo E. Cua recommended to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) to adopt a resolution recommending to President Duterte the extension of the declaration for at least four or six months.
The President signed Proclamation No. 929, “Declaring a State of Calamity throughout the Philippines Due to Corona Virus Disease on March 16, 2020.
Under the said declaration, the national government and the LGUs were allowed to utilize appropriate funds, including the Quick Response Fund, their disaster preparedness and response efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19 and to continue to provide basic services to the affected population.
Likewise, the said proclamation enjoins government agencies and LGUs to render full assistance to and cooperation with each other and mobilize the necessary resources to undertake critical, urgent and appropriate disaster response aid and measures in a timely manner to curtail and eliminate the threat of COVID-19.
Cua said the extension of the said declaration would retain the LGUs’ capability to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Extending the state of calamity will allow LGUs to fully utilize the national government assistance through the Bayanihan Grant to Cities and Municipalities and the Bayanihan Grant to Provinces, as well as fast-track the procurement of essential goods and services necessary in COVID-19 response efforts,” the ULAP president said.
Cua likewise said that the adverse impact of the pandemic on the lives of the Filipinos is currently felt and will continue to be felt beyond Sept. 15, when the current state of calamity expires.
“We will remain steadfast in our collective commitment to stand side-by-side with the national government to push for a Whole-of-a Nation approach versus COVID-19,” Cua reiterated.
Furthermore, Cua said the LGUs, inspired by the President’s firm leadership, will undoubtedly endeavor to stop the contagion , as the promotion of the health and welfare of local constituents present the acid test to their sworn duty to serve the people. (MDCT/TCB/PIA 2-Quirino)
Source: Philippines Information Agency (pia.gov.ph)
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