After placing the entire Luzon island under an enhanced community quarantine, President Rodrigo Duterte also put the whole Philippines under a state of calamity.
Under Proclamation No.929, Duterte said that placing the country under a state of calamity will protect and promote the right to health of people amid the coronavirus disease or COVID-19 pandemic.
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The declaration means that all government agencies and all local government units must render full assistance to mobilize resources in order to respond in a timely manner to eliminate COVID-19.
“Despite government interventions, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases continue to rise,” the order said.
Placing the entire country under a state of calamity will allow LGUs to utilize their quick response funds immediately to address the pressing concerns on the COVID-19 pandemic.
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The State of Calamity will remain for a period of six months unless lifted earlier due to circumstances.
There are now 187 cases of COVID-19 in the country, 12 have died and 4 people have recovered.
