Lorenzana welcomes appointment of Galvez as 'chief implementer' vs. COVID-19

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Friday welcomed the appointment of Presidential Peace Adviser Carlito Galvez Jr. as the “chief implementer” of the government’s national policy against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

"I look forward to working with Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. as the chief implementer of the government’s efforts to combat the spread of COVID19 under the national action plan," Lorenzana said in a statement.

"Sec. Galvez, Sec. Año, and I will ensure that the government’s lockdown measures are strictly enforced," Lorenzana added.

Both Galvez and Año served as chiefs of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

President Rodrigo Duterte designated Galvez to ensure strict compliance and adherence of each public and private sector to the guidelines and protocols issued by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases.

Earlier, Duterte said the NAP is being chaired by Lorenzana while Interior Secretary Eduardo Año serves as the vice chairman.

Lorenzana said the NAP would take charge of the logistics of the government measures against the COVID-19 so that the front liners and health workers can focus on their job of tracing, isolating, and treating victims of the disease.

The Defense chief called on the full support of the police and the military in protecting the Filipino citizens against COVID-19.

“Vital to the success of this effort is the high level of Inter-Agency Coordination that the defense and security sector should implement," he said.

Lorenzana also urged Filipinos to exercise their duties in preventing the spread of COVID-19 and to manifest patriotism by following the mandatory quarantine.

"Let us all do our part in stemming the spread of infection and flatten the curve as soon as possible," Lorenzana said.—AOL, GMA News