ILIGAN CITY, Sep. 5 (PIA) - Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar has detailed the initiatives undertaken by the national government to ensure that no one is left behind in the fight against coronavirus disease (COVID)-19.
"Although most people around the globe remain under the threat of the virus as vaccines remain at the development stage, we, in the government, continue to undertake measures that will prevent further transmission of the virus in order to protect our frontliners and Filipinos in general," Andanar said during the National Task Force (NTF) Against COVID-19 Coordinated Operations to Defeat Epidemic (CODE) Meeting in Iligan City on Friday, September 4.
With the increasing number of accredited COVID-19 laboratories nationwide, Andanar said the daily testing capability of the country has increased surpassing major countries in Asia.
"We also align and campaign for targeted mass testing as part of our whole-of-nation approach, with assistance from private corporations and groups to ensure that transmission will be controlled and those who have tested positive for the virus will be treated," he said.
Moreover, the country's case doubling rate and mortality doubling time have further improved. Andanar attributed these to the intensified approaches anchored on the Bayanihan Heal As One Act; the Test, Trace, Treat (T3) strategy; Prevent, Detect, Isolate, Treatment and Reintegration (PDITR) strategy; and the zoning containment strategy, among others.
"Following our adoption of an independent foreign policy, the Duterte administration has assured all Filipinos of access to multiple sources of COVID-19 vaccines and treatments through engagements with Russia, Japan, China, and United States," he further said.
The Communications Secretary also shared that the implementation of stimulus packages and recovery plans for struggling sectors such as MSMEs, tourism, transport, and agriculture to help them cope with the impacts of COVID-19 are now set in motion.
"Now needing only President Duterte's signature to become a law, the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act or Bayanihan 2 will ensure that needed and timely responses and actions will be undertaken by the government through the COVID-19 response fund," he added.
Meanwhile, Andanar reiterated the national government's commitment to provide the needed assistance and support of local government units to combat COVID-19.
In return, he appealed for the cooperation of local officials and the public to follow the protocols and the minimum health standards set by the national government.
"It is our collective action and the spirit of Bayanihan that will help us win this fight against COVID-19. With this in consideration, we are truly confident that we are on track to heal and recover as one nation," Andanar added. (APB/PIA-ICIC)
Source: Philippines Information Agency (pia.gov.ph)
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