The City Government has declared Tuesday noon a “state of public health emergency” in Puerto Princesa pursuant to the Presidential Proclamation No. 922, which earlier placed the entire country under the same condition due to the threat of COVID-19.
The City Council approved a resolution declaring this state of public health emergency during a special session Tuesday, March 10.
The special session was joined by City Disaster Risk Reduction Officer (CDRRMO) Earl Timbancaya, Acting Assistant City Legal Officer (CLO) Anna Fatima Chavez, City Budget Officer (CBO) Regina Cantillo, and City Health Office (CHO) Medical Officer III Ruffia Marie Atencio.
In an interview with majority floor leader City Councilor Victor Oliveros after the session, he said a total of P75-million budget was allotted for the preparation of the city towards strengthening its measures of prevention of the disease.
Oliveros said the fund will come from the unutilized CDRRMO trust fund.
“A resolution first of all in essence is the adoption of proclamation of number 922, which is the declaration of the state of emergency of the nation by the president and due to that we are allowing the use of the unutilized fund out of the City Disaster Risk Reduction Office,” said Oliveros.
He said the budget will be used mainly to buy vitamins for students in schools, sanitizers and disinfectants, face masks, and needs of the health workers.
Oliveros said the City Government wants its people to stay calm and not worry.
He also said the local government is doing its best to ensure the safety and security of its people.