Creation of nat’l framework for physical, mental resilience OK’d

In a presentation from Roque’s office sent to Palace reporters, the IATF sub-technical working group with the Department of Health will serve as chair to convene and propose a national framework to increase the public’s physical and mental resilience. (PCOO file photo)

MANILA – The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) has approved the proposal for the establishment of a national framework to increase the physical and mental resilience of the general public amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic, Malacañang said on Thursday.

The proposal to create a national framework for the public’s physical and mental resilience was among the approved recommendations included in IATF-EID’s Resolution 33, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in a virtual presser aired on state-run PTV-4.

“Nagkaroon po tayo ng approval na magkaroon po ng isang national framework para po ma-increase yung physical and mental resilience ng ating publiko. Kinakailangan po manatiling malusog, hindi lang ang pisikal kundi po ang ating pag-iisip (There’s an approval to have a national framework to increase the physical and mental resilience of the public. We need to remain healthy, not just physically but also mentally),” said Roque, also acting IATF-EID spokesperson.

Roque did not elaborate on the planned creation of the national framework.

Malacañang also has yet to release a copy of the IATF-EID’s new resolution.

In a presentation from Roque’s office sent to Palace reporters, the IATF sub-technical working group with the Department of Health will serve as chair to convene and propose a national framework to increase the public’s physical and mental resilience.

Experts have warned that the Covid-19 pandemic will trigger a spike in cases of anxiety and depression due to stringent measures imposed to stop the contagion.

The World Health Organization has stressed that the key to resilience during the Covid-19 outbreak is physical and mental health.

Roque said the IATF-EID also approved the proposed establishment of regional IATF in all regions.

The regional IATF, Roque said, will be chaired by the Center for Health Development in regions.

As of Thursday, the Philippines has recorded 10,343 Covid-19 infections.

About 1,618 Covid-19 patients have already recovered, while 685 have died due to the infectious disease.