Presidential Spokesperson Secretary Harry Roque Jr. reiterated the importance of enhanced surveillance to detect the new variant of COVID-19 in the country stressing the important role of local government units.

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte reiterated his position with regard to firecrackers during his recent Talk-to-the-People Address. The Chief Executive underscored the issue on quality and safety, and called the attention of manufacturers for not putting the proper labels and warnings in their products, said Presidential Spokesperson Secretary Harry Roque Jr.

Government employees in the Executive Department will receive an amount not exceeding P10,000 as Service Recognition Incentive (SRI), which shall be given not earlier than December 21, 2020.

It is encouraging that foreign media, particularly Thai Enquirer, has taken notice of The Philippine government’s Minimum Public Health Standards Advocacy Campaign of wearing a face mask, washing of hands, and maintaining a physical distance, which is known locally as “Mask, Hugas, Iwas.” It likewise mentioned that people must “listen to government announcements and do not take unnecessary risks.”

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, together with the members of his Cabinet, approved the fast-tracking of flood mitigation projects of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), and measures to ensure forest protection and management of protected areas, which are part of the recommendations of the Task Force Build Back Better (TFBBB).

A face shield is now required to be used together with a face mask in public places. This is after the Inter-Agency Task Force for Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) approved the recommendation for mandatory face shield use in view of the expected surge in COVID-19 cases during and after the holiday season.

Presidential Spokesperson Secretary Harry Roque Jr. assured the public of the availability of funds for the procurement of COVID vaccines.