PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will be extending the State of National Calamity to help “preserve its benefits” to the health sector.
In a press conference on Monday, Press Secretary Beatrix “Trixie” Cruz-Angeles disclosed Marcos could possibly extend the status by another three months. “But only for the purpose of preserving the benefits under it, such as but not limited to the indemnification…emergency procurement, special risk allowance for health care workers,” Angeles said.
As of press time, Malacañang has yet to come out with an official issuance for the said extension.
Under Proclamation No. 1218 issued by former President Rodrigo R. Duterte, the State of National Calamity should have expired on September 12, 2022.
The Department of Health (DOH) has been pushing for the extension of the State of Calamity to give the government more time to amend Republic Act 11525 or the Covid-19 Vaccination Program Act of 2021, particularly its provisions for procurement.
After the extension, Angeles said the government will study the lifting of the state of calamity. “We will transition out of the state of calamity after further review,” Angeles said.
Image credits: Nonie Reyes