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| Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque Jr.(File photo by:Yancy Lim/Presidential Photo/ Manila Bulletin) |
[Asia News Communication = Reporter Reakkana] President Rodrigo Duterte will likely extend the state of calamity placed over the Philippines due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Malacañang said Monday.Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said this is because there is still no vaccine available against COVID -19 which has so far afflicted over 261,000 people in the country.
"Most likely, he will because as long as there's no vaccine or cure against COVID-19, the pandemic will continue to affect us", Roque said in an online briefing when asked if the President will renew the proclamation declaring the state of calamity in the country.
Last March, the President, through Proclamation 929, placed the entire country under a state of calamity due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and to enable the government to carry out measures to counter its effect on public health and the economy. This also allowed local government units to use their quick response funds to respond to the health crisis.
