Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP) National President and Quirino Gov. Dax Cua has urged President Rodrigo Duterte to issue a proclamation extending the country’s state of calamity in order for local government units (LGUs) to retain the capability to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In a letter addressed to Secretary of National Defense and National Task Force (NTF) Against COVID-19 Chairperson Delfin Lorenzana, Cua said that with the state of calamity effective only until next month, the ULAP chief recommends “for consideration of the NDRRMC (National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council) the adoption of a resolution recommending to the President the extension of the said declaration for at least another 4 or 6 months.”
“Inspired by the President’s firm leadership, the LGUs will undoubtedly endeavor to stop the contagion.”
According to Cua, an extension of the proclaimed emergency will “provide the backdrop for the LGUs’ continuous joint management of the situation with the NTF COVID-19 towards judiciously enforcing recalibrated strategies and mobilizing consolidated government resources” and “allow LGUs to continuously utilize the DRRM Quick Response Fund (QRF) for appropriate local response measures.”
In addition to this, Cua said that extending the state of calamity will allow LGUs to fully utilize national government assistance through the Bayanihan Grant to Cities and Municipalities and the Bayanihan Grant to Provinces, as well as fast-track the procurement of essential goods and services necessary in COVID-19 response efforts.
Cua pointed out that the same circumstances that prompted the President to declare a State of Calamity on March 16 remain, and that the adverse impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on the lives of the Philippine population is currently felt and will continue to be felt beyond September 15, when the current State of Calamity expires.
President Rodrigo Duterte signed Proclamation No. 929 “Declaring a State of Calamity Throughout the Philippines Due to Corona Virus Disease” on March 16, 2020.
“An extension of the proclaimed emergency will provide the backdrop for the LGUs’ continuous joint management of the situation.”
The declaration, among others, allowed the national government and LGUs to “utilize appropriate funds, including the Quick Response Fund, in their disaster preparedness and response efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19 and to continue to provide basic services to the affected population.”
Proclamation No. 929 also enjoins government agencies and LGUs “to render full assistance to and cooperation with each other and mobilize the necessary resources to undertake critical, urgent, and appropriate disaster response aid and measures in a timely manner to curtail and eliminate the threat of COVID-19.”
Cua reiterated that LGUs would continue to work with the national government in efforts to win the war against COVID-19, informing Lorenzana that “local government officials remain steadfast in our collective commitment to stand side-by-side with the National Government, and to push for a Whole-of-Nation approach versus the virus.”
“Inspired by the President’s firm leadership, the LGUs will undoubtedly endeavor to stop the contagion, as the promotion of the health and welfare of local constituents present the acid test to our sworn duty to serve our people.”