Published
By Genalyn Kabiling
President Duterte has designated the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) to prepare an inventory of medicines and medical supplies donated to the national government for efficient distribution of assistance to the public.
President Rodrigo Duterte
(PCOO / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)
The OCD has formally been tasked to consolidate these donations, keep an inventory, and coordinate with the concerned agencies on the allocation of the items based on Administrative Order No. 27 signed by the President.
The latest Palace order establishes the framework on the acceptance, distribution, and delivery of medicines, medical equipment, and supplies donated to the national government for operations against the new coronavirus disease.
“The government recognizes that the outpouring of donations of medical supplies and other medical products, including crucial personal protective equipment (PPE) and basic necessities such as food to support health workers in the public sector deal with the COVID-19 pandemic, are acts that are not intended to gain favors or to influence government action but are acts of altruism and generosity of Filipinos, non-government entities, foreign nationals and foreign governments, foreign nationals and foreign governments,” the order read.
“The OCD is hereby directed to prepare an inventory of all the donations to the National Government and to DOH (Department of Health) that would be consolidated,” it added.
Under AO 27, all medical donations to the national government must be coordinated with and transmitted to the OCD for consolidation.
Other donations to government offices, states colleges and universities, government corporations, and government hospitals shall continue to be allowed without need of consolidation in the OCD. Such donations, however, must be reported by the recipients to the OCD.
The OCD has also been directed to coordinate with the DOH, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Labor and Employment, and the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases to determine which public or private health facilities, beneficiary groups or establishments are in need.
The President also tasked the Department of National Defense to provide logistical support to the OCD for the immediate consolidation, distribution, and delivery of the donations to identified beneficiaries.
Presidential peace adviser Carlito Galvez Jr. has also been directed to oversee the consolidation, management, inventory, recording, and distribution of donations. He must also ensure the efficient and expeditious distribution of assistance to the public.
Galvez currently serves as chief implementer of the country’s national policy against the coronavirus disease.
In the same AO, the President ordered concerned government agencies to facilitate the swift processing of importations and entry of foreign donations for the coronavirus response. The Food and Drug Administration and concerned agencies must also adopt “expedited procedures” for their accreditation or clearance.
The OCD must submit a weekly report to the Office of the President on the implementation of the latest order.
The order, signed by the President last March 31, takes effect immediately.
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