We understand the concerns of certain quarters to have health experts guide local government units (LGUs) in the execution of their plans.

We, however, have to stress that public health officers and health experts are one part of the whole-of-government approach.

The assignment of Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) members to LGUs, we reiterate, is to ensure close coordination between the national government and LGUs and to harmonize the policies being crafted by the IATF and the operational framework that is being implemented on the ground.

We have to ensure that the operational aspect of the National Action Plan Against COVID-19 will be properly implemented down to the barangays.