Palace backs common health protocols but bound by existing rules

Health protocols presently vary in each local government unit (LGU). (Pexels photo)

MANILA – Malacañang supports calls to implement common health protocols to revive the airline and tourism industries nationwide, but remains bound by the existing legal framework.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque made the remark after the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) urged the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) to implement uniform health protocols for the benefit of industries impacted by the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.

Health protocols presently vary in each local government unit (LGU).

In a Palace press briefing, Roque said while the IATF has already considered the recommendation, the law gives local autonomy to LGUs.

“Well, matagal na po iyang kinukonsidera ng inyong IATF at pinag-uusapan ano. Sa ngayon po kasi ay talagang mayroon po tayong batas na nabibigay ng local autonomy sa ating mga LGUs at hindi natin sila pupuwedeng panghimasukan (that has long been considered by the IATF and it is being discussed. Now, there are laws that give local autonomy to LGUs and they can’t be interfered with),” he said.

He, however, said other LGUs could learn a thing or two from the Metro Manila Council that serves as and performs the functions of the regional development council for Metro Manila.

“Tingin ko po iyong ginagawa ng mga Metro Manila mayors can be a model, kung magkakaroon sana po ng consensus ang lahat ng mga mayor, mga gobernador para sa isang common policy iyan po ay makakatulong talaga sa pagbukas ng ekonomiya at pagsigla ng ating sektor ng turismo (I think what Metro Manila mayors do can be a model, if there could be a consensus of all mayors, governors to have a common policy it would help open the economy and revive the tourism sector),” he said.

Roque said the decision to adopt common health protocols will still depend on LGUs.

“We are in favor, pero (but) we are working with the existing legal framework,” he said.

Roque, meanwhile, said the government will resort to localized and granular lockdowns instead of a nationwide lockdown should there be a spike in Covid-19 cases post-holidays.

“Paulit-ulit po ako: Ultimately, ang taumbayan po ang magdidesisyon kung dadami o kukonti ang Covid-19 sa Kapaskuhan (But I will keep repeating: Ultimately, the people will decide whether Covid-19 cases will increase of decrease this Christmas),” he said.

Last April, the IATF adopted a resolution allowing LGUs to lead the fight against Covid-19.

As of Monday, the country has 23,253 active cases of Covid-19 with 8,757 deaths and 418,723 recoveries.