Marcos considers extension of state of public health emergency

MANILA – President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Wednesday stated that he is eyeing the extension of the validity of the state of public health emergency amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.

During a media interview at SM City Manila for the “PinasLakas” vaccine campaign, Marcos noted that he is already discussing with DOH Officer-in-Charge (OIC) Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire the possibility of extending the state of public health emergency “until the end of the year.”

“Yes, we were just discussing it with Usec. Vergeire,” Marcos said.

According to Marcos, there was also a plan to amend the law on government procurement “in the middle of an emergency.”

He was pertaining to Republic Act (RA) 11525, also known as the act expediting vaccine procurement and administration process.

Vergeire on Tuesday said the DOH is suggesting to amend the provisions of RA 11525, in the event that the state of calamity declaration due to the Covid-19 pandemic is not extended.

Aside from the national Covid-19 vaccination drive, Vergeire mentioned that there are other protocols linked with the declaration of state of calamity, including the emergency use authority for coronavirus jabs, emergency procurement of vaccines, tax exemptions for vaccine manufacturers and donors, price caps on medicines used for Covid-19 treatment, and additional benefits of healthcare workers.

Former President Rodrigo Duterte first declared a state of emergency nationwide for six months on March 16, 2020, due to the threat posed by the Covid-19.

Under Proclamation 1021, Duterte extended on Sept. 2020 the state of calamity for another year, or until Sept. 12, 2021.

Through virtue of Proclamation 1218, Duterte extended anew the state of calamity nationwide for one year from September 13, 2021 to September 12, 2022.

Proclamation 1218 stipulates that the extension will enable the national government, including the local governments, to continue the implementation of Covid-19 vaccination program, augment pandemic response funds, monitor and control prices of basic necessities and prime commodities, and provide basic services to the affected populations.