Duterte taps military leaders for COVID-19 response

President Duterte appointed former high-ranking military leaders to lead the country's campaign against COVID-19 due to their proven effectiveness and discipline.

Peace Process Adviser Carlito Galvez Jr. was designated as the chief implementer, while Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and Interior Secretary Eduardo Año were appointed chairman and vice-chairman of the National Action Plan (NAP), respectively.

Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo cited the appointees' discipline, obedience, organizational skills, and strategic thinking as reasons for their selection, emphasizing their ability to act decisively without bureaucratic hindrances.

The government has prepared a 100-day action plan to enhance the healthcare system and aims to 'flatten the curve' of infections.

Galvez highlighted the global unpreparedness for the pandemic and stressed the need to improve the Department of Health's (DOH) capacity in terms of resources and logistics.

The National Task Force COVID-19, chaired by Lorenzana and vice-chaired by Año, will serve as the operational command, with Galvez acting as the 'third man' to ensure directives are implemented.

The Inter-agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases will function as a 'war council' and policy-making body.

DILG Secretary Eduardo Año warned local government units against politicizing the distribution of relief goods and ordered strict adherence to fair distribution practices.

Año emphasized that there should be no politics in times of disaster and assured that monitoring teams are in place to investigate any misconduct by LGU officials.