Duterte to voters: Follow health protocols in polling precincts to avoid another COVID-19 surge

President Rodrigo Duterte reminded the voters to comply with the minimum public health standards in polling places on the May 9 polls to prevent another COVID-19 surge in the country.

During his Talk to the People aired on Wednesday morning, Duterte raised alarm over the possible increase in COVID-19 infections as reported separately by the OCTA Research and the Department of Health (DOH).

“Ang problema ganito, if the next surge is not the Omicron type or mga variants, whatever, kung ang makuha mo ‘yung COVID-19 original killer, so that would be a serious problem again. As everybody knows, unlike others na may antibodies ka na na you’re okay for life, apparently itong COVID-19 does not fit into the picture,” he said.

(The problem is if the next surge is not the Omicron type or other variants, it would be a serious problem again if we get the COVID-19 original killer. As everybody knows, COVID-19 doesn’t fit into the picture unlike other diseases that would make you okay for life if you get antibodies.)

The DOH earlier reported that a 50% decrease in the compliance of minimum public health standards (MPHS) in the National Capital Region may result in 25,000 to 60,000 new COVID-19 cases per day by mid-May.

Meanwhile, a 20% decrease in MPHS compliance nationwide may lead to around 34,788 active COVID-19 cases, and a 30% decrease in MPHS compliance might increase the cases further, possibly to as high as 300,000, over the same period, the DOH said.

For OCTA Research’s part, they have projected an increase in COVID-19 infections as high as 50,000 to 100,000 active cases soon, considering the rise in cases in other countries like South Africa and India.

To prevent any of this from happening, Duterte underscored the importance of compliance to health protocols even in polling precincts, considering that the 2022 elections are fast approaching and crowding is likely to take place in participating schools.

“Remember when you go to the electoral precincts, kindly tell yourself that you have to remember the things that the government wants you to follow so that hindi masyado tayong mahirapan (so we would not have much trouble) and we will prevent another surge,” he said.

“We can only interdict the surge in the future by the simple washing of the hands, the mask, importante talaga ‘yan (that is really important). In all of the countries, ito ‘yung must be maintained the wearing of masks para wala masyadong problema (so there will be no much problem),” he added.

Further, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III also acknowledged the possibility of the COVID-19 surge, stressing the need to ramp up the vaccination and booster coverages in the country.

“Ang surge is always a possibility. Pero para maibsan o maiwasan po, basta sumunod o tumalima sa ating minimum public health standards at saka ‘yung patuloy na vaccination trajectory natin at booster dose uptake, ‘yan po ay paliliwigin pa natin,” he added.

(The surge is always a possibility. But in order to alleviate or prevent it, we should follow our minimum public health standards and then continue our ongoing vaccination trajectory and booster dose uptake which we will expand.)

Health protocol violators

Meanwhile, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año reported that the number of violators for not wearing face masks have increased from 28,622 to 84,969 from April 15 to April 24, 2022.

Those who conducted mass gatherings also went up from 13 the previous week to 724, and those who did not follow physical distancing increased from 3,002 to 9,057.

Due to this “alarming increase” of community health protocols violations, Año said that the police will reinforce the implementation of the health protocols, calling the barangay officials, private establishments, community leaders, and election campaign organizers to follow suit.

“Hindi natin papayagan na magkakaroon muli ng COVID-19 surges or spikes dito sa ating bansa kahit na may projection or prediction na maaring sumipa ang COVID sa susunod na buwan o linggo,” he said.

(We will not allow COVID-19 surges or spikes to happen again in our country even if there is a projection or prediction that COVID may kick in next month or week.)

Año also pointed out that the biggest challenge of the Department of the Interior and Local Government right now is the massive campaign rallies where hundreds of thousands of people flock together, and the Election Day itself on May 9 as they are expecting at least 60 million people will go out and converge in polling precincts. 

Gun ban and checkpoints

Further in his report, Año said there were 2,820 gun ban violators arrested and 2,692 gun ban violations logged from January 9 to April 25, 2022.

There were also 2,147 firearms and 1,033 deadly weapons confiscated.

The number of surrendered firearms, meanwhile, have reached 6,197.

The DILG chief also noted that there were about 5,431 checkpoints established nationwide and have deployed at least 41,965 Philippine National Police (PNP) personnel to man them.

“Sisiguruhin natin na magkakaroon tayo ng isang mapayapa, maayos at ligtas ang ating mamamayan sa darating na eleksyon sa Mayo 9, 2022,” he said.

(We will ensure that the public will have a peaceful, orderly, and safe elections on May 9, 2022.)

When the election period started on January 9, all kinds of firearms with a license and permit to carry have since then not been allowed to be brought outside of the owner’s residence following the imposition of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) gun ban. — RSJ, GMA News