10 Orlino and Hapal
mitigating the impacts of the virus on the country, giving aid to the most vulnerable
sectors, and creating a harmonized response led by the national government and
cascaded among local government units (LGUs). The NAP was implemented in two
phases. Phase I focused on containment and prevention of the virus through strict
community quarantine; elimination of the threat by providing medical treatment and
interventions; and mitigation of negative social impacts by ensuring that basic services
are delivered to the people. While Phase I centered on the containment of the virus,
Phase II serves as a point of transition from containment to what the government
calls the “new normal.” Among the key features of Phase II are promoting change
in people’s mindset with strong focus on health and disease prevention; striking a
strategic balance between health and economic objectives; and mainstreaming the
Prevent-Detect-Isolate-Treat-Reintegrate strategy. The NAP Phase II aims to address
the health and welfare of Filipinos by sustaining the low fatality rate, and at the same
time, to direct the recovery of the country’s economy. The NTF describes the NAP
as a national-government-enabled, LGU-led, and people-centered response to the
COVID-19 pandemic (Malindog-Uy 2020; NTF 2020).
Implementing structures
Established in 2014, the IATF-EID is a government body mandated to create
measures; and formulate, develop, and implement policies, programs, and activities in
preparation, prevention, and control of emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases.
It is headed by the DOH and is composed of representatives from the following
national agencies:
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•
•
•
•
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Department
Department
Department
Department
Department
Department
of Foreign Affairs (DFA);
of the Interior and Local Government (DILG);
of Justice (DOJ);
of Labor and Employment (DOLE);
of Tourism (DOT); and
of Transportation (DOTr).
The IATF-EID issues resolutions providing information and measures on
addressing the pandemic. They are also to assist in the operations of the NAP.
Meanwhile, the NTF was created to lessen the burden of the IATF-EID and to
streamline and decentralize operations. Thus, the NTF serves as the operational
command under the Secretary of National Defense.
In the Phase II of the NAP, the NTF identified four (4) anti-COVID-19 czars for
contract tracing, testing, isolation, and treatment of COVID-19. Testing czar Vince
Dizon (President and CEO of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority) is
responsible for scaling up the country’s testing capacity. Isolation czar Secretary Mark
Select target paragraph3
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