Duterte extends ‘State of Calamity’ until 2021

THE EXTENDED STATE OF CALAMITY allows LGUs to utilize their disaster funds to continue with their relief operations, even as Proc. No. 1021 also mandates the national government agencies to continue sharing resources to communities affected by the pandemic. (PIA Bohol file photo) 

CORTES, Bohol, Sept. 20 (PIA) -- Local government units (LGUs) now have the latitude to continue utilizing appropriate funds in disaster preparedness and response efforts to contain the spread of the dreaded coronavirus disease (COVID-19) as Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte signed a proclamation extending the period of state calamity until September 2021.

The President stood solid in the recommendation by the National Disaster and Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC) and kept to the constitutional mandate of giving the people the right to health as a state policy. 

Through Proclamation No. 1021, which the President signed Sept. 16, 2020, the President explained that even with the significant stride that the country has achieved with the cooperation of the government and the public in enhancing and improving the country’s capability to implement measures against the spread of the corona virus, the number of COVID-positive cases and deaths continue to rise despite the efforts and interventions.

With the extended state of calamity, not only will the national and the local governments be authorized to use their disaster funds including the Quick Reaction Funds, it also empowers LGUs to monitor and implement price control on basic necessities and prime commodities as well as provide basic services to affected populations.

It may be recalled that in March this year, the President issued Proclamation No. 929, which declared a national State of Calamity for the next six months or until earlier revoked or extended depending on the prevailing circumstances.

As the said proclamation lapsed, Proclamation 1021 effectively stretched the state of calamity all over the country from Sept. 13, 2020, until Sept. 12, 2021.

With this, all government agencies and LGUs are enjoined to continue rendering full assistance to and cooperate with each other to mobilize necessary resources to undertake critical and urgent disaster response aid and measures in a timely manner in order to curtail and eliminate the threat of the disease.

All law enforcement agencies and with the support of the Armed Forces of the Philippines are directed to continue undertaking all necessary measures to ensure peace and order in affected areas as necessary, the proclamation stated. (rahc/PIA-7/Bohol)

Source: Philippines Information Agency (pia.gov.ph)