Pahayag ito ng Palasyo matapos irekomenda ng UP-OCTA na muling magpatupad ng mas mahigpit na quarantine classification o localized lockdown sa Bauan, Batangas, Calabayog sa Western Samar at General Trias sa Cavite dahil sa mataas na kaso ng COVID-19.
Ayon kay Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque, mas makabubuti kung idadaan ang kanilang rekomendasyon sa pribadong pamamaraan para hindi naman napapangunahan ang Inter-Agency Task Force.
“I wish they would refrain from making these recommendations publicly. They can probably endorse or course their recommendations privately with the IATF nang hindi naman po napapangunahan, highlighting the fact that classifications are normally announced by the President himself,” pahayag ni Roque.
Gayunman, binibigyang diin ni Roque na nagpasasalamat pa rin ang Palasyo sa tulong ng UP-OCTA.
“I really appreciate the efforts po of OCTA Research Team in helping us monitor COVID cases. Pero ni-request ko na po sa kanila na to desist from making recommendation on classification kasi talagang trabaho naman po yan ng eksperto. And I understand although they have one or two epidemiologists, it is still not the same number of experts working with the IATF. hindi lang po sa DOH,” pahayag ni Roque.
May resolusyon na aniya ang IATF na maaaring umakto na ang provincial governor at regional IATF kung mataas ang kaso ng COVID-19 sa isang lugar.
“At ang suggestion ko nga po, if OCTA Research does not mind, kung pupuwede po, let’s do the recommendations privately through the IATF. We will forward it to the regional IATF if need ba. At saka emphasizing again, only the President announces the classifications. Sana po, if the IATF itself does not make public recommendations to the President, sana the OCTA team and this is really an appeal para hindi po nagkakagulo, can also course their recommendations to the IATF privately,” pahayag ni Roque.