Ano orders local government officials to lead efforts to prevent spread of coronavirus

January 30, 2020

Interior Secretary Eduardo Ano on Thursday said he ordered local chief executives to lead proactive prevention amidst possible contamination of 2019 NCov or coronavirus in their areas.

In an interview with reporters at the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines ( FOCAP) Prospects Forum in Makati, Ano said he came up with a memorandum circular like the one issued during the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) virus.

“I have come up with a memorandum circular similar to what we issued during the time of the SARS virus period empowering our provincial governors, mayors and barangay captains first as crisis manager, as information manager and in the prevention to make sure that the proper isolation be implemented if there are constituents that are coming from areas that are contaminated or affected,” he said.

He said they will be more reactive on their preparation.

“Today, the secretary of health is having a conference with his regional directors and we will include what the product of their conference into our MC. The point is we make sure the local chief executives will spearhead this proactive prevention of contamination of NCorona virus,” Ano said.

According to Department of Health (DOH), as of January 29, they recorded 27 persons under investigation (PUIs). Ella Dionisio/DMS