MANILA, Philippines – President Rodrigo Duterte has extended the national state of calamity status until next year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In the Proclamation No. 1021, released on Friday, Duterte declared extension of the state of calamity “for a period of one year, effective 13 September 2020 to 12 September 2021, unless earlier lifted or extended as circumstances may warrant.”
It mentioned the number of COVID-19 cases and deaths continue to rise despite the efforts and interventions to contain the virus.
The proclamation cited that the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council recommended the extension of declared state of calamity.
The president instructed all government agencies and local government units to cooperate and mobilize resources “to undertake critical, urgent, and appropriate disaster response aid and measures in a timeline manner to curtail and eliminate the threat of COVID-19.”
Meanwhile, all law enforcement agencies, with the support from the Armed Forces of the Philippines, were also directed "to continue undertaking all necessary measures to ensure peace and order in affected areas, as may be necessary."
It was in March when Duterte declared Proclamation No. 929, putting the country under state of calamity for the period of six months due to the threat of the disease.
Recently, he signed the Bayanihan to Recover As One or Bayanihan 2, a Php 165.5 billion worth of stimulus package to strengthen the government's response on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) impact.
As of September 18, the Philippines has reported 279,526 COVID-19 cases, including 4,830 deaths and 208,790 recoveries.
— The Summit Express
In the Proclamation No. 1021, released on Friday, Duterte declared extension of the state of calamity “for a period of one year, effective 13 September 2020 to 12 September 2021, unless earlier lifted or extended as circumstances may warrant.”
It mentioned the number of COVID-19 cases and deaths continue to rise despite the efforts and interventions to contain the virus.
The proclamation cited that the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council recommended the extension of declared state of calamity.
The president instructed all government agencies and local government units to cooperate and mobilize resources “to undertake critical, urgent, and appropriate disaster response aid and measures in a timeline manner to curtail and eliminate the threat of COVID-19.”
Meanwhile, all law enforcement agencies, with the support from the Armed Forces of the Philippines, were also directed "to continue undertaking all necessary measures to ensure peace and order in affected areas, as may be necessary."
It was in March when Duterte declared Proclamation No. 929, putting the country under state of calamity for the period of six months due to the threat of the disease.
Recently, he signed the Bayanihan to Recover As One or Bayanihan 2, a Php 165.5 billion worth of stimulus package to strengthen the government's response on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) impact.
As of September 18, the Philippines has reported 279,526 COVID-19 cases, including 4,830 deaths and 208,790 recoveries.
— The Summit Express
