The Office of the President has been in constant communication with the Department of Health (DOH) and key agencies of the government ever since the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has reached the country. In this connection, we are closely monitoring the developments relating to the disease as the DOH has just confirmed today, March 7, the 6th positive case of COVID-19.
Following protocol, the DOH has raised the COVID-19 Alert System to Code Red – Sublevel 1 after the wife of the patient who was previously reported as the 5th case of COVID-19 in the country similarly tested positive. The Palace reiterates that this alert level is a preemptive call to ensure that the entire government and its agents, along with our healthcare providers, can prepare for possible COVID-19 upticks.
The Office of the President also notes the recommendation of the DOH to declare a State of Public Health Emergency. The said proposal has been raised to the attention of the President who has agreed to issue such declaration after considering all critical factors with the aim of safeguarding the health of the Filipino public.
We similarly call upon the cooperation of the Filipino people during this health crisis to exercise utmost prudence and exercise judiciousness as we expect all responsible agencies to continue exhausting all possible measures within their mandate to secure the general welfare of the citizenry.
Salvador S. Panelo
Chief Presidential Legal Counsel
& Presidential Spokesperson
