Local Government Response

Marikina keen on starting local COVID-19 tests​, but DOH says lab still not 100% compliant

14 April 2020

Marikina City will open its own COVID-19 testing center this Friday even without accreditation from the Department of Health, Mayor Marcelino “Marcy” Teodoro has insisted.

Teodoro said Tuesday that the city’s testing laboratory located inside a new two-storey building in Barangay Concepcion Uno will start testing swab samples for COVID-19 this week, ​insisting “local autonomy” allows it.

He cited the “general welfare” provision under Section 15 of the Local Government Code for his refusal to wait for the DOH to accredit their facility.

Marikina launches online consultation for COVID-19 concerns

06 April 2020

Doctors from the Marikina City Health Office conduct online medical consultations for residents of Marikina who want medical advice on what to do if they have symptoms related to COVID-19. The telehealth program was launched by the Marikina Local government to help manage the influx of patients in hospitals taking on COVID-19 positive persons for treatment.

Navotas training center to house frontliners

02 April 2020

The city has repurposed the Navotaas Institute Annex II at Brgy. Daanghari as temporary shelter for doctors, nurses and staff of the Navotas City Hospital who are living outside Navotas.

DILG backs Vico, says NBI action against him a ‘useless political distraction’

02 April 2020

Summoning Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto was a political distraction during this time of health crisis, Department of the Interior and Local Government spokesman said Thursday.

“This act of summoning the mayor of Pasig is a useless political distraction on at this time when all of us are preparing and all of us cooperate to beat the COVID-19 crisis that we are in,” DILG spokesman Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya told CNN.

Vico Sotto says it was NBI that ‘politicized’ alleged violation of Bayanihan Act

01 April 2020

Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto on Thursday lashed back at National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Deputy Director Ferdinand Lavin for saying that the alleged violation of the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act had turned into a “politicized and sensationalized” issue.

NBI asks Vico Sotto to explain ‘violation’ of quarantine policy

01 April 2020

NBI Spokesperson Ferdinand Lavin told CNN Philippines in a text message that they have sent Sotto a letter requiring him to appear at their office on April 7. He said the mayor has to respond to allegations that he violated Republic Act 11469, or the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act which was recently passed to address the coronavirus disease crisis.

2,000 solo parents in Makati to receive P1,000 in aid amid coronavirus lockdown

28 March 2020

The inclusion of solo parents as beneficiaries of Makati’s financial assistance program follows earlier announcements that some 6,800 registered tricycle and jeepney drivers would be receiving financial aid.

Sorsogon town buys, sells seafoods to residents at lower prices

28 March 2020

Residents of Casiguran town in Sorsogon province get to buy seafoods at lower prices, as part of the local government’s response to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) crisis.

According to town information officer Angel Ayala, the local government has been buying the daily catch of fishermen to limit the residents’ movements.

“Then these were divided and delivered to all our barangays to be sold at a lower price (20-30% lower),” he said.

Valenzuela emulates Pasig; launches own ‘market on wheels

28 March 2020

The “market on wheels” will be fully operational on Sunday from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m.

Pasig City earlier rolled out its “mobile palengke” as a way to minimize crowding in public markets.

Aklan gov defends imposing preemptive ‘enhanced community quarantine’

26 March 2020

Governor Florencio Miraflores said the government’s decision to imposed an enhanced community quarantine in the entire province even without a novel coronavirus infection was aimed to protect the people and families of Aklan.

Marikina to DOH: Don’t just impose rules, be local government’s partner

23 March 2020

The Department of Health still would not allow the Marikina Molecular Laboratory to conduct coronavirus testings.

Makati City extends tax payment deadline

20 March 2020

Makati City has extended the deadline of payments for business licenses, real property taxes, and other fees and charges to April 30, 2020, Mayor Mar-len Abigail “Abby” Binay said on Sunday.

The city also suspended the imposition of penalties, interests and surcharges accruing from the issuance of the Ordinance Violation Receipts from March 16, 2020 until April 15, 2020.