Next admin should adopt good practices in fight vs. Covid-19

MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday urged the next administration to adopt “good practices” that are currently being implemented in the fight against Covid-19, noting that these would come in handy should there be another global health threat in the future.

Duterte made this remark after Health Secretary Francisco Duque III attributed the decrease in Covid-19 infections in the country to vaccination, natural immunity, and compliance with minimum public health standards.

“There is no telling that one of these days, another vicious virus will visit the country or the world all over. At panibagong ano ito (And this will be new), far different from what we have now. Gusto ko lang malaman (I just want to know) what caused the numbers to go down because it would come in handy,” Duterte said in a pre-recorded Talk to the People.

“It would not be us who would face that problem anymore but the incoming or whoever wins, dapat malaman nila ito na (should know) the good practices of the Philippines,” he added.

Meanwhile, Duterte thanked “disciplined” Filipinos for bringing Covid-19 cases down by getting vaccinated and observing health protocols.

He also expressed appreciation for the “decorum” adopted by the country’s law enforcement officers in implementing rules.

Last month, Duterte said seeing the majority of the Filipino population fully vaccinated will make him happy when he steps down from office.

He urged the residents of various areas that are still lagging in their vaccination drive to avail of the free jabs.

The Department of Health (DOH) has reported 6,297 confirmed cases from March 1 to March 7.

A total of 63,690,701 individuals have been fully vaccinated in the country.

On Monday, OCTA Research said the number of Covid-19 cases in the country may drop as low as 300 cases per day by the end of March.

At least 38 areas, including Metro Manila, are currently under the lowest Alert Level 1 status.