Senators Want To Abolish IATF & Let Health Experts Captain Pandemic Response
SENATORS WANT TO ABOLISH IATF – The recent surge in COVID-19 cases became the last straw for some senators.
Yesterday, Senator Imee Marcos called to dismantle the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases. Furthermore, she believes that actual health experts who use a “true-science-based” approached should take the helm.
During the early days of the pandemic, Dr. Tony Leachon became the adviser for the IATF. However, due to opposing views, the IATF sacked Leachon as he wanted to put public safety first over reopening the economy.
Likewise, Senate President Vicente Sotto III agreed with Marcos’ proposal. Moreover, he cited the Department of Health’s (DOH) “gross incompetence” in their pandemic response.
Marcos noted that the IATF doesn’t have a concrete plan to address the pandemic. According to an article from Inquirer, Marcos stated:
“Ibuwag na ‘yung IATF. Start from scratch na lang po tayo, tutal klarong-klaro na walang plano”
Following this, Marocs suggested that the government use health experts that provides “science-based” methods that could truly help people. “The handling has been inept and unduly difficult for the Filipino people”, the Senator added.
Additionally, she emphasized that doctors and public health experts should be contacted to “straighten out” the government’s pandemic response. As per the article, she said:
“Dapat mga doctor mga public health experts, ‘yung talagang nakakaintindi nito at sila ang magdi-diretso ng policy“
Meanwhile, Sotto expressed dismay on the DOH’s handling of the pandemic. He stressed that after a year of lockdown, the cases should be dropping. However, the number of daily cases keep breaking all-time-highs. Yesterday, the number of COVID-19 cases surpassed the OCTA research group’s prediction of 8,000 cases by the end of March.
Thanks for reading. We aim to provide our readers with the freshest and most in-demand content. Come back next time for the latest news here on Philnews.
READ ALSO: COVID-19 Vaccine Philippines: Schedule Of Deliveries As Per Galvez
