PUBLIC ADDRESS OF PRESIDENT RODRIGO ROA DUTERTE ON THE CORONAVIRUS DISEASE 2019 (COVID-19 (KEY POINTS)

March 13, 2020

1. A province quarantine is advised when there are at least two positive COVID-19 cases belonging to different municipalities, component cities or independent component cities in the same province. Itong National Capital Region ay isang probinsiya.
2. Work in the executive department shall be suspended during this period. Without prejudice to the formation of skeletal workforces by government agencies in order to maintain the unimpeded delivery of services to the public.
3. Flexible work arrangement shall likewise be encouraged in the private sector. The Department of Labor and Employment and the Department of Trade and Industry shall issue guidelines to safeguard the welfare of workers. All manufacturing, retail, and service establishments are advised to remain in operation during the said period. Strict social distancing measures are required to be observed by their respective managements.
4. Mass public transports including the Light Rail Transits, the Metro Rail Transit, and the Philippine National Railways shall continue in operation.
5. Land, domestic air, and domestic sea travel to and from Metro Manila shall be suspended beginning the period March 15, 2020 until April 14, 2020 midnight. Subject to the daily review by the Inter-Agency Task Force.
6. The Code Alert System for the COVID-19 public health event is hereby raised to Code Red Sublevel Two (2).
7. The recommendations of the Department of Health Technical Advisory Group on imposing Stringent Social Distancing Measures in the National Capital Region are adopted for a period of thirty (30) days from the issuance of this Resolution.
8. The suspension of classes in all levels in Metro Manila is hereby extended until April 12, 2020. Walang klase. Pwede kayong magbakasyon diyan lang sa bahay.
9. Mass gatherings, defined as a planned or spontaneous event where the number of people attending could strain the planning and response resources of the community hosting the event, shall be prohibited during the said period.
10. Community quarantine is hereby imposed in the [entirety] of Metro Manila and in other areas— as the LGUs are advised to abide by guidelines imposing localized community quarantine in their respective jurisdictions.
11. A barangay-wide quarantine is advised when [there are] at least two (2) positive COVID-19 cases belonging to different households in the same barangay. Kung sa isang barangay may dalawa na infected, medyo i-quarantine na ninyo ‘yung barangay ninyo.
12. A municipality/city-wide quarantine is advised when at least two (2) positive COVID-19 cases belonging to different barangays in the same municipality.
13. The Barangay Captain is bound by what is written here whether by way of rules implementing in the meantime or if it becomes a part of an executive order. The Barangay Captain will also go to prison for dereliction of duty or simply not enforcing a rule imposed by government.
14. The aforementioned measures shall be subject to close monitoring, and reassessment after the expiration of seven (7) days from the issuance of this Resolution.
15. The LGU outside of the National Capital Region are advised to exercise sound discretion in suspending classes in their respective localities without prejudice to a determination by the national government to suspend classes if the situation so warrants.
16. The Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines, in coordination of the Inter-Agency Task Force, shall be called upon to ensure effective and orderly implementation of the above measures.
17. A meeting shall be conducted daily by and between the Secretaries and the member of agencies of the Inter-Agency Task Force, including the Cabinet Secretary, Secretaries of National Defense, Environment and Natural Resources, Trade and Industry, Social Welfare and Development, Education, Agriculture, the chiefs of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine Navy, Philippine Air Force and Coast Guard because in a total breakdown, I would need their help to carry on with governance.
18. The Balik-Manggagawa Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) shall be allowed to travel to mainland China, except to Hubei Province, upon execution of a Declaration signifying their knowledge and understanding of the risks involved.
19. If things deteriorate, President Duterte might call on China to help.
20. The entry travel restrictions shall be imposed upon those traveling from countries with localized COVID-19 transmissions, except for Filipino citizens including their foreign spouse and children, if any, holders of Permanent Resident Visa.
21. The purpose of government is see to it that things are in order. To do that, if things deteriorate, the military and the police will maintain order.
22. The purpose is to guard our safety. Please follow.
23. Tests for COVID-19 are free.
24. Let’s help each other at this time of our life because everything is placed in jeopardy.


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