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Advocates Philippines
BBM Ends Philippine COVID-19 State Of Public Health Emergency
Photo credit: PCO
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. issued Proclamation No. 297 on Friday, July 21, officially lifting the State of Public Health Emergency throughout the Philippines due to COVID-19.
The proclamation effectively withdraws, revokes, or cancels all prior orders, memoranda, and issuances that were specifically effective during the State of Public Health Emergency, rendering them null and void.
The crucial announcement also addressed the status of Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for COVID-19 vaccines issued by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) under Executive Order (EO) No. 121 (s. 2020).
According to the proclamation, all EUAs granted by the FDA will remain valid for a period of one year from the date of lifting the State of Public Health Emergency. This provision allows for the continued administration of existing vaccine supplies until their exhaustion.
The President's order further enjoined all government agencies to promptly revise their policies, rules, and regulations, ensuring they align with the new post-emergency landscape.
Former President Rodrigo Duterte had initially declared a State of Public Health Emergency across the country in March 2020, responding to the escalating COVID-19 pandemic. Subsequently, EO No. 121 (s. 2020) empowered the FDA to issue EUAs exclusively during the duration of the public health emergency.
President Marcos Jr.'s proclamation acknowledges the continued seriousness of COVID-19, particularly for certain vulnerable populations, and emphasizes the need for a continued public health response. Nevertheless, the President points out that the country's healthcare system has demonstrated resilience and adequacy, with low hospital bed utilization rates even after the relaxation of COVID-19 health protocols.
In support of the decision to lift the State of Public Health Emergency, the International Health Regulations (IHR) Emergency Committee of the World Health Organization (WHO) presented compelling evidence. Last May, the committee highlighted a notable decline in COVID-19 deaths, fewer hospitalizations, and a higher population immunity to SARS-CoV-2.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus further endorsed the committee's advice, declaring that COVID-19 is no longer deemed a public health emergency of international concern. Instead, the focus should now shift towards the long-term management of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
The proclamation effectively withdraws, revokes, or cancels all prior orders, memoranda, and issuances that were specifically effective during the State of Public Health Emergency, rendering them null and void.
The crucial announcement also addressed the status of Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for COVID-19 vaccines issued by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) under Executive Order (EO) No. 121 (s. 2020).
According to the proclamation, all EUAs granted by the FDA will remain valid for a period of one year from the date of lifting the State of Public Health Emergency. This provision allows for the continued administration of existing vaccine supplies until their exhaustion.
The President's order further enjoined all government agencies to promptly revise their policies, rules, and regulations, ensuring they align with the new post-emergency landscape.
Former President Rodrigo Duterte had initially declared a State of Public Health Emergency across the country in March 2020, responding to the escalating COVID-19 pandemic. Subsequently, EO No. 121 (s. 2020) empowered the FDA to issue EUAs exclusively during the duration of the public health emergency.
President Marcos Jr.'s proclamation acknowledges the continued seriousness of COVID-19, particularly for certain vulnerable populations, and emphasizes the need for a continued public health response. Nevertheless, the President points out that the country's healthcare system has demonstrated resilience and adequacy, with low hospital bed utilization rates even after the relaxation of COVID-19 health protocols.
In support of the decision to lift the State of Public Health Emergency, the International Health Regulations (IHR) Emergency Committee of the World Health Organization (WHO) presented compelling evidence. Last May, the committee highlighted a notable decline in COVID-19 deaths, fewer hospitalizations, and a higher population immunity to SARS-CoV-2.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus further endorsed the committee's advice, declaring that COVID-19 is no longer deemed a public health emergency of international concern. Instead, the focus should now shift towards the long-term management of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Jul 22, 2023
