National Task Force on COVID-19 Chief Implementer Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. on Thursday commended the Manila City government for its efforts to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.
Under Mayor Francisco “Isko” Domagoso's directives, the Manila City government was able to construct 12 quarantine facilities and one COVID-19 testing laboratory.
The city government also consistently carried out mass testing operations through rapid tests and swab tests.
As of July 8, 157,816 rapid tests and 15,794 swab tests have been conducted. A total of 1,532 Manila City residents already recovered from COVID-19, while 165 died from the disease.
Meanwhile, about 1,431 Manilenos were identified as confirmed cases after the Manila Health Department (MHD) recorded 359 new active cases this week.
Some 746 residents were tagged as “suspects” while 43 residents were tagged as “probable.”
The Manila City government was also the first local government unit in the country to pass an anti-COVID-19 discrimination ordinance.
The initiatives were part of the Mayor's CODE COVID-19 or the "Contain and Delay" action plan to test, trace, isolate and treat COVID-19 patients in the nation's capital.
“We are confident that we can overcome this disease, thanks to massive testing and early detection and prevention. We are thankful that Manila has modeled these efforts with the Mayor’s vision and direction," Galvez said.
In response, Domagoso said the local government is grateful for the leadership and guidance of the national government in managing the COVID-19 crisis.
The mayor also said that his fellow local chief executives are united in combating the pandemic.
"While we always argue, debate and share ideas (during Zoom meetings), at the end of the day, we act as one," Domagoso said.
Galvez and Domagoso made the remarks during a press briefing at the Manila City Hall after a meeting with officials from the Inter-Agency Task Force, Metro Manila Development Authority and the Department of Health.
Among those discussed prior to the press briefing was the growth change of COVID-19 cases in the City of Manila.
Data from the Department of Health (DOH) that the growth change of COVID-19 cases in the nation's capital is down by 17-percent as of Sunday, July 5.
About 10,000 pieces of personal protective equipment (PPE) were also turned over by Galvez to the Manila City government.