CEBU, Philippines — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos has lifted the COVID-19-inducted state of public health emergency in the Philippines but has retained the validity of the emergency use authorization (EUA) on vaccines for one year to exhaust the remaining supply of the jabs.
Under Proclamation No. 297 issued last July 21, all prior orders, memoranda and issuances that are effective only during the state of public health emergency shall be deemed withdrawn, revoked or canceled and shall no longer be in effect.
Marcos' predecessor, former president Rodrigo Duterte, declared the state of public health emergency in March 2020 through Proclamation No. 922. The issuance aimed to mobilize government resources to contain the spread of COVID-19, which was first reported in Wuhan, China. Duterte's proclamation stated that the state of public health emergency shall remain in force and effect until lifted or withdrawn by the president.
Marcos noted that the Philippines and other countries have reopened international borders and relaxed health and safety protocols as a result of the continued immunization and the decrease in the number of COVID-19 cases.
"While COVID-19 remains to be a serious concern for certain subpopulations and requires continued public health response, the country has maintained sufficient healthcare system capacity and low hospital bed utilization rates even after the liberalization of COVID-19 health protocols," the President said in the proclamation.
World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus declared last May that COVID-19 no longer constitutes a public health emergency of international concern and advised the transition to long-term management of the pandemic, Marcos added.
Marcos enjoined all agencies to ensure that their policies, rules and regulations would consider the lifting of the state of public health emergency and to amend existing or promulgate new issuances, as may be appropriate.
His proclamation also stated that all EUA for COVID-19 jabs issued by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) shall remain valid for one year from the date of lifting of the state of public health emergency "for the sole purposes of exhausting the remaining vaccines.”
In 2020, Duterte signed Executive Order No. 121 permitting the FDA director general to issue emergency use authorization for COVID-19 drugs and vaccines. The issuance allows the use of COVID-19 medicines and vaccines pending approval by health authorities provided there is credible information suggesting that the drug or immunization can prevent, diagnose, or treat the virus.
Department of Health Secretary Dr. Ted Herbosa views the development as a positive step forward.
The health secretary agreed that the conditions no longer necessitate the continuation of the public health emergency status.
In a statement, Herbosa said that the Inter Agency Task Force (IATF) will convene for a final meeting to formally conclude the public health emergency.
Herbosa commended Inter Agency Task Force and the medical frontliners who have demonstrated resilience and heroism throughout this challenging period.
“Their dedication to safeguarding public health has been instrumental in reaching this critical milestone,” he said.
Last month, the government's pandemic task force issued Resolution No. 8 requesting the lifting of the state of public health emergency throughout the Philippines.
Earlier this month, Herbosa said the COVID state of emergency in the country had been "de facto" lifted, noting that the wearing of face masks is no longer required. He said he was just waiting for the formal lifting of the status.
At the Senate, Senator Bong Go said he respects the President’s decision, stressing that there is need to finally open up the economy.
“Gayunpaman, ang apela ko sa executive branch ng gobyerno ay siguraduhin pa ring maibibigay sa ating mga healthcare workers ang dapat nilang nakuha noon ayon sa batas. Kasama na diyan ang mga hindi pa nabibigyan ng kanilang COVID-19-related allowances, pati ang mga death benefits para sa mga nagbuwis ng buhay sa ating laban kontra COVID-19,” Go said in a statement.
“Ang apela ko naman sa mga kababayan natin, patuloy pa rin tayong mag-ingat, alagaan ang ating katawan at unahin ang ating kalusugan. Marami na tayong natutunan at naisakripisyo nitong panahon ng pandemya na magsisilbing aral sa atin upang mapangalagaan ang ating komunidad laban sa iba’t ibang health threats,” added the senator, the chair of Senate Committee on Health. — (FREEMAN)