MANILA, Philippines – The League of Provinces of the Philippines (LPP) wants the national government to allow them to decide which quarantine restriction should be implemented in their respective localities.
According to LPP president Marinduque Rep. Presbitero Velasco Jr., the local government units (LGUs) know best how to address COVID-19-related problems in their localities.
Velasco said implementing the new quarantine classification in the provinces is not a problem, provided that the LGUs are the ones to decide and alert levels would only be given as their guide.
“Basically ganun ang position namin. Okay namang mag-implement at tingin nga namin it’s about time na mag implement ng pagbabago. Ang talagang sinususog namin dyan yung bottoms up. Kailangan nanggagaling sa LGU yung pagdedeklara kung anong quarantine system at saka anong health protocol,” Velasco said.
He asked the national government to give them the freedom to adjust which quarantine level they believe would be appropriate for their areas.
If ever the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) has recommendations, the IATF should consult with the league of provinces for them to adjust.
Velasco said that local governments are still strict in accepting tourists because the risk of COVID-19 transmission is still high.
“Kasi kung i-a-analize namin kung magkano ang kikitain namin sa pagpasok ng tourist at grabe naman iyong hawahan at maraming maaapektuhan sa amin at maaaring masasa-kabilang buhay pa nga. Maghihigpit muna kami kasi nakikita namin mataas pa rin ang infection rate,” he said.
LPP is also asking the government to allot more vaccines along with additional storages.
“Tingin ko ang government kung may pondo pa, they should provide ultra low freezers para pati naman ang malalayong LGUs at ang mga lower ranked LGUs ay mabigyan naman ng magagandang bakuna,” Velasco said.
MNP (with reports from Rey Pelayo)
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